Humira and side effects - constantly sick?

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PaulinaR88

Hi everyone,

I started taking Humira 6 weeks ago for Crohn's. I have a J pouch that was done 5 years ago after suffering from what we thought was UC for 12 years. I developed a fistula earlier this year and my doctor put in a seton drain. Now they believe I have Crohn's and put me on Humira to hopefully close up the fistula so I can have the drain taken out.

My question is, has anyone here been on Humira and felt like you were sick with a cold all the time? The fistula is still draining and I know I'm supposed to wait 3 months before the medication takes full effect but I have a constant sore throat and funny nose. I wash my hands like crazy, I take emergen-c every day and I take a handful of herbs and wellness formula to help boost my immune system. Maybe this is just something I have to live with while I'm on this medication but I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced these same problems.

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Jan DollarModerator, RN, retired

I was on it for several years and saw no difference. It could be that you coincidentally caught a cold the same time as you started the Humira; it is that time of year... Plus, these drugs can lower your resistance, so it can take longer to fight off viruses. On top of that, once you get sick (with or without Humira), your resistance is lower and more likely to catch the next bug that comes along.

It looks like you are doing what you can to get over it.

According to the prescribing information, cold and flu symptoms were reported about the same amount as those getting placebo, so I would not see that as a reason to stop taking it. If you developed a high fever or something, that would be different.

Jan

12/27/122:35 PM

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BreezieMember

I've been on Humira for years (and prior to that, Enbrel and Remicade) and didn't have an increase in colds or flus, but I was incredibly vigilant about not touching my hands to my face or sharing pens, pencils, keyboards, etc., with co-workers, etc.

That all changed when my son came along. Nothing like a kid in daycare part-time to build his immune system and knock down mine! It seemed that every minor thing that he brought home turned into a major thing for me. There was just no way to avoid it with a child. Thankfully, now in kindergarten, he seems to be over the constant germ fest and hasn't brought home anything in a good while. Of course, now that I've said that, I expect to catch something horrible in the next ten minutes...

12/28/1210:46 AM

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coloneliusMember

extremely same. Now that I have a toddler in day care I get sick like all the time including gastro issues. It's calmed down a bit but I was off humira for a few weeks when I had to change insurance and noticed that I actually felt better overall. I'm back on now and keeping a close eye on this.

9/7/238:58 AM

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