Starting a new medication can be terrifying, so I want to share my positive experience with Humira thus far, to encourage those who are still on the fence about taking the leap. I had no idea what I was missing out on until I started this medication. No, I'm not being paid to say this. I believe in being totally transparent with all my experiences, both good and bad. Yes, I recently had the worst flare of my life which required a medication switch, but I also feel I had been struggling with symptoms far before things came to a head. I had just started to normalize them. While there are several potential side effects of Humira, I want to focus on the positive changes that have happened.
Here are 10 things that have improved since I started Humira:
(*disclaimer for those without IBD: some of this might be TMI, but it's important to my fellow IBD Warriors out there to share the details)
I have one formed bowel movement per day, as opposed to 5 - 10 (and upwards) liquid stools. This is remarkable because the only other time my BMs were solid, was during pregnancy. My husband joked that I am like a baby learning how to poop again (have I mentioned there's a lot of poop talk in our house?)
I no longer have blood in my stools. Hopefully the next time I see red in the toilet, it's because I ate some beets.
My Calprotectin level went from > 8,000 to 206. It's still abnormal, but it's trending in the right direction. Check out the fascinating graph pictured below
I've added more food to my diet. Pre-Humira, broccoli wasn't an option. I would have to reeeeeeeally want my favorite green to to risk being on the loo all night, and most of the morning. I ate a giant bowl of the this powerful antioxidant the other night, and I felt great. I've also been eating an apple every day, and tolerating it quite well.
I have more energy. I'm absorbing more nutrients from the food that I eat, so I'm reaping the full nutritional benefits.
In that same vein as #5, my hair, skin and nails are healthier. Having loose stools all the time left me with brittle hair, dry/pale skin and breaking nails.
For the first time in months, I've thought about running again. The mere thought of doing my favorite activity just makes me want to cry. Running has been a HUGE part of my life, and I can't wait to put my kicks on and get back out there.
I have more time to spend with my kiddos and husband. No more daily doctor appointments, no more labs, arm jabs and wondering if I'll be heading to the ER.......at least for awhile:)
NO MORE PREDNISONE: If you know, you know. This one speaks for itself
Better quality of life. As I sat in my GI doctor's office in October of 2021, I was a broken person. I was defeated. I was tired....so, so tired. I wept. I couldn't hold back my tears. He told me he wanted to improve my quality of life, and that Humira would help with that. It's not that I didn't believe him, but my body had been through so much. I honestly didn't know how much fight I had left.
I am just at the start of my journey with Humira, and I am very excited to see where the possibilities might take me. I am still learning about all of the nuances with this medication, but I'm happy to report that I'm in REMISSION. Wait, I'm going to go outside and shout that out loud!!! If you're currently deciding whether or not Humira is right for you, know that remission is possible. As always, consult with your doctor to make the best informed decision for YOU.
