Adalimumab queries

[PinkMama83]

Hi. I've recently started taking Adalimumab injections, just had my second single dose yesterday. Just a couple of things I wondered if anyone could advise. Firstly, I haven't seen any improvement in my Crohn's yet, can anyone say when they started to get better? Also, I feel so rough the day after my injection, like I've been hit by a truck after drinking 3 bottles of wine. Is this something that will improve over time or something I need to get used to every fortnight? Thanks for reading x

[SuzyQ67]

You need to give it more time, people sometimes think that biologics will give instant relief. When I was on Remicade & later Humira, I always felt a little rough the first day. Not everyone reacts that way. If the 3 bottles of wine are giving you problems cut back.

[PinkMama83 in reply to SuzyQ67]

Thanks for your reply. Firstly, just to clear up, I said I felt as though I had drunk 3 bottles of wine, I hadn't had a drop! Yeah I guess I'm just getting impatient and was hoping to hear other people's experiences. Fingers crossed it will improve soon.

[SuzyQ67 in reply to PinkMama83]

Oh ok, I misunderstood. It's hard to be patient when we don't feel good. My gi is pretty empathic to his patients, however, depending on the extent of the flare & how long it's been going on he tells us we have to give the medication a chance to work. I belong to another board & it is amazing how some of those people blow through biologics after a few short weeks. They never give it enough time, but worse of all is a dr that lets a patient dictation medications. Hang in there.

[saj12]

I started adalumimab (amgevita) last July... I recall sending a msg to the IBD nurses in Aug saying I feel terrible (I was in a real bad flare).... response was give it some time. By around sept I did start to see some improvement. They did check my levels to make sure I was therapeutic... after the loading dose (160mg, 80mg) am on 40mg.

Fast forward now... much better! Have put weight on and quality of life has improved.

I wouldn’t say I feel knocked out after the dose... but certainly for a few days post taking I feel really tired.

[PinkMama83 in reply to saj12]

Hiya, thanks for your reply and for sharing your experience. It's good to hear you felt better after two months, gives me some hope as I'm only on week seven currently. Also great to hear that you're doing so much better now! Hope it continues for you 🤞

[Anne4Marie]

Hey Pink Mama. Yeah a couple of months before you see any benefit. But when you do its great. Yes I would take Humira every week for very severe disease with methotrexate on the same day and always felt hungover like a bus had hit me for about 24 hours afterwards so I would take it on a day that meant I could plan to do nothing the next day. For me I would inject on a Friday and then have Saturday as a rest day at home. It worked well once I got into the habit and knew what to expect and if you pace yourself around that time and don’t make any plans then it helps. It really was a wonder drug for me. I got some side effects with some skin infections and a lot of chest infections but it was still worth it for the benefit it gave me with my disease. Give it longer as it may be worth it for you too.

[PinkMama83 in reply to Anne4Marie]

Hi Anne, thanks so much for your message. I have also been planning ahead so I am free to spend day after injection just resting, and letting hubby do everything! I'm so glad you speak to highly of the results of your treatment. It's really reassuring to speak with other people who understand and not just medical team all the time. I hope that I get the same benefits that you do and hope that you continue to stay well x