Humira & swallowing

mike26

Hi all
anyone had this problem,started humira about 2 to 3 months ago
after about month in, i started to have trouble when im eating.

I thought this might pass and carried on with it, but its still happening
and if anything its got worse.

When im eating and soon as i start to swallow its difficult and hurts
as i swallow i then have to help food down with drink water.

ive also got sore throat with the swallowing.

its got to the stage where its very difficult swallowing now
and i didnt have it before i started the Humira.

hope you can shed some light on this :?

thanks mike26 :oops:

mamasmurf

Wow , thought it was just me ! I've had this trouble for 2 years now ; the same time I started with humira . Food feels as if it's stuck halfway down and I gasp for breath as if choking . I now eat very slowly and drink copious amounts of water with every mouthful . Doc said it is a weakening of muscles which slows the swallow mechanism , they were unsure if there is any connection to humira though . It could just be coincidence !
mamasmurf

dreamdaisy

Oh Mike (and Mamasmurf): I am so sorry, I have not had this trouble but I reckon you both should contact your rheumatology departments (if you haven't already) because this doesn't sound like a co-incidence. From my point of view humira is still a relatively new med and surely the medicos need all the feedback they can gain? The anti TNFs are complex meds (and their side-effects are not fully known) but to me this sounds strange. I wish I could help more. :oops: DD

mig

I'm with DD on this it sounds so strange,I've not had anything like this.Mig

tkachev

Hi Mike. I also get this with Humira. Ongoing investigations have resulted in nothing. I also drink lets of liquids while eating and chew my food well to help prevent choking. I also cough all the time and am worse at night.

Elizabeth x

mike26

Thankyou for your help with this one.

mamasmuf ive read the leaflet that comes with the package of humira
and it does say (side effects) less common swallowing difficulty 1 in 100
people.. :?

yes dd ive put this off , and i think now i should see the doctor as

tkachev also gets this and i to start choking when trying to swallow.
i also have this sort of rolling cough,but not all the time.

im getting pains on my right side chest, around the liver area as well

yes mig your right tiss strange,, not so much tho when you read the leaflet that comes with Humira.

ill have talk to rummy and doctor, probably stop for while till this clears
up :oops: let u know what happens..

thanks for your help..
mike26..

dreamdaisy

Oh Mike, oh bother. Please contact rheumatology ASAP and let us know what they say. DD

tkachev

One theory from my rheummy is that the stomach acid is coming back up and causing problems with the throat.


elizbeth

stickywicket

That does make sense, Elizabeth. I have swallowing problems from time to time and it's because stomach damage from years of NSAIDS before the stomach protectors arrived plus a hiatus hernia have caused silent reflux (ie I was unaware of it) damage to my oesophagus.

I haven't posted here before though because I assumed mine was different as I've never taken humira. It's also compounded by none of my neck bones now being where they should be :roll: When it happens I literally can't breathe and chucking water at it would only make things worse. As long as I sit up straight, concentrate and don't have a cold :roll: I'm OK

DebbieT

I don't take this med either but can & do, at times, struggle to swallow. It has been put down to anxiety with me.

Xx xX

mike26

Hi all
just to a little extra to the mix,im now having trouble breathing and chest is
tight and hurts,swallowing difficult,dry cough.
see the doctor next week.
mike26

As5567

This sounds very similar to what used to happen to me while on weekly Humira, I always felt as if food would get stuck half way down and needed to drink water to help it down, otherwise it would be "stuck" there for a good min or two. It does sometimes happen still now that I'm not on that drug but only very so often as compared to almost every single meal :S

I would for sure mention it to your doctor.

Sorry to hear your having chest issues, sounds like that trip to see the doctor is needed asap.

tkachev

Methotrexate is another culprit if any of you take that. They stopped my mtx last year to see if that would help but I'm still getting the symptoms (I'm still on Humira).

Yes sitting up straight is a big help even at night I sometimes have to have loads of cushions behind me and sit-up.

Good luck with the GP appointment Mike.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

Hello Mike, how are things now? Have you been able to see your doctor? DD

mike26

hi all iv missed you all
ive just come home from hospital,been in a week.
ambulance took me in, im very week and tired will speak to you
when ive had some sleep.
mike26

dreamdaisy

Oh mate, this doesn't sound good. Go rest now, please. DD

barbara12

Mike I am so sorry to hear you have been in hospital, but did think it might go that way...I just hope they have helped you with the swallowing..like DD says get some rest now you are home...

mig

Thinking of you. (()) Mig

Starburst

Oh Mike, you poor thing! Rest up and take good care of yourself. Wishing you all the best.

stickywicket

Oh Mike, I'm so sorry. (((())))

tkachev

glad you are home safe and sound. ambulance men were right to take you to hosp so you could be monitored through a difficult time. I hope you are now better,

E x

dreamdaisy

Hello again, I hope you are feeling better / brighter in yourself. DD

Boomer13

Hi Mike;

ooH, you're having a rough time at the moment. Wishing you better times ahead. Feel better soon.

mike26

hi all, not been to good .
been to see doctor and asked for more anti -biotics and throat anti fungus treatment, so now on a second course hope this works.
I will be having camera down throat, to show up any problems in few weeks.
im stll having breathing swallowing problems and its getting more and more
difficult to swallow food.
good side is the weights falling off me
hope everyones bearing up .
mike..

Starburst

Sorry to hear this, Mike. I really hope that the procedure sheds some light and that they can help you. I also hope that the antibiotics and anti-fungus meds give you some relief. Sounds horrible for you! Take it easy and look after yourself.

stickywicket

Oh Mike! I hope they get you sorted soon. (((())))