This most recent lawsuit was filed by a woman who took Humira to treat Crohn's disease, according to Bloomberg Businessweek (04/26/11). The lawsuit alleges that the patient was treated at the Mayo Clinic for nerve damage in her feet; the doctors who treated the patient said the nerve damage was most likely caused by the use of Humira. The plaintiff alleges that Abbott knew Humira had a risk of peripheral neuropathy but still marketed the mediation to patients with Crohn's disease.Kara Mae Pletan, plaintiff in the lawsuit, alleges that doctors reported in 2006 that Humira was linked to peripheral neuropathy. She claims that after receiving Humira injections for three months in 2008, she developed permanent peripheral neuropathy, which forced her to alter her daily activities and sell her store.
This is not the first lawsuit filed against Abbott Laboratories concerning Humira. Early in 2011, a lawsuit was filed by a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, who claimed she developed lymphoma after taking Humira. The patient reportedly took Humira as part of a clinical trial in 2005. The plaintiff alleges that Abbott knew there was a three- to fivefold increased risk of cancer in patients taking Humira but did not warn participants in the trial about that risk.
READ MORE HUMIRA LEGAL NEWS
Humira is in a class of drugs known as tumor necrosis factor-blockers. Drugs in the class reportedly stop cancer-killing cells in the body from working. Humira, known generically as adalimumab, was initially approved to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Meanwhile, in 2011, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a warning that young patients treated for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis with tumor necrosis factor blockers, azathioprine and/or mercaptopurine were at an increased risk of Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma (HSTCL). Hepatosplenic T-Cell Lymphoma is an aggressive cancer that is often fatal.
READER COMMENTS
Carlos benita
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Vanessa
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Sparks
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Cindy
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D George
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Crystal Mitchell
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Marianne O'Keeffe
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I only took each for about 6 months. I developed a terrible infecion in my repriductive area. I was scheduled for urgent hysterectomy. I stopped the Enbrel 3 weeks before surgery, and was able to cancel the surgery one week prior. No further problems since!
I developed stage 3 breast cancer after 6 months on Enbre. Genetic testing showed this was not an inherited gene.
I called Enbrel and told them of my breast cancer. They denied
the biologics cause breast cancer. They called my rheumatologist. He said he told them the biologics did not cause my breast cancer.
I was already experiencing severe, repeated diarrhea and incontinence ( in my mid fifties and newly married). Still continuing today.
I began to have lupus symptoms, sjogren's, and terrible falls, which resulted in my inability to drive, and perform self care for nearly a year. Home & garden and dog walker costs really mounted.
I began feeling tingling in hands, legs, feet, when I gardened, or had to write work reports.
I had 3 knee surgeries. Sensitivity to the knee implant's metal discovered, so will never heal!
Woke from the third knee surgey feeling like my foit had been skinned, toes tourniqued severely, and repeated fork lightning strikes in my foot. Toes severely innervated (curled upwards). Months of NO sleep. They finally prescribed diclofenac gel with gabapentin in it. Had to overdose this on foot, and knees front and back. Told Dr. She said do it. Thank god for drs. kindness.
Today, my foot continues to grow, and toenails bled from pressure and my foot is niw 2 1/2 sizes bigger than my other foot. Tips of my fingers very painful and red. Diagnosis: Complex Regional Pain Sundrome!!! Incurable and can spread!!!
I have irregular heatbeat and sleep apnea now. I have gained so much weight from the gabapentin and 4 1/2 months bedridden, and use of cane/walker p/wheelchair now.
I have not been able to work in 5 years, and I had a great government job. Severe impact on new marriage and quality of life. Severe impact on finances. Poir husband shoukdering the burden. You can't imagine hiw painful it has been on my fingertips to type my story.
The drug companies are Not Recording it when you call to notify them that their biologic has caused you breast cancer! (And all that folliws...). The doctors are not recording it!
These biologics can do you irreperable harm, and ruin your lives.
In Canada, where I live, it is impossible to get one physician to speak out against a pharmaceutical comoany ir another physician, as the physicians are all covered by the same insurance company who would then refuse to insure them if they speak out! So...lives continue to be ruined, and we have no voice. The College of Physicians and Surgeons, just simply extend their review, until time runs out so you cannot take action!
We are being exploited in the most cruel way, and no one is standing up for us.
I only took these drugs for aporox 6 months! A previous website where women were declaring that they developed breast cancer after only a few months on biologics, was mysteriously shut down 4 1/2 years ago!!!
Ask yourself, how and why that happened. A medical practitionerwas the last post, denying the experiences of all the women who posted, and then no more posts were allowed, then the site disappeared! I was so relieved to now see that mire sites have now apoeared, and they cannot continue to deny the
irreperable harm they have inflicted on us. Be well, and try to celebrate whatever meagre existence you still have. "The best revenge is living well". Stay strong.
Richard
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I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 1977. I am 48 now, have had the j pouch procedure, (doctors initially thought I had UC). I guess through the aging process, my symptoms are getting worse and are harder to control. Prednisone nor antibiotics, (for pouchitis flare ups) no longer seem to work. I have extreme anxiety and depression and treated with Paxil and Xanax. 2016 was simply a nightmare. It felt like a year long Chron's flare up...no blood, just pain, diarrhea and incontinence. In November of 2016, I was put on Humira. I took the initial shots and felt even worse pain a few hours later. I said to myself that maybe it is just working its way into my system. Well it has been 3 months and no change. I have been to the ER 4 times since. No doctor seems to want to discuss this with me. I also had a blood clot develop in November. I've had problems in the past due to past surgeries but not in a while...Just after I started on this Humira.
Can anyone relate? I feel completely alone. I feel like doctors are tired of hearing me 'complain'.
Abigail
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Barbara Springer
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Carli
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Gary Bigley
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Ann
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It was causing elevated liver enzymes. I love my Rheumy but, he never said any of these things could happen from this drug. My Rheumy watches my labs like a hawk. I go every 2 weeks for labs for the meth. I was just looking to see if this constant leg numbness/tingling might be a side affect but, never imagined I'd be reading these commemts. I did notice after my last injection I had a couple of heart palpations but, iv had them off and on for over 16 years. Man I haven't had a quality of life for over a year. The humira is starting to help me but, after seeing this I don't know if I want anymore of this crap in my body. I will just pray about it. I'm so sorry to all of you that have had these issues and, the deaths. God Bless.
Tony Ibarra
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Jeanne
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l fibrilation which I believe was caused by the Humira. Since stopping the Humira I have not felt any A fib. I am not a defendant but would like to be.
Frank
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Ashleigh
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My partner is a 36 year old guy with an auto immune disease called Ankylosing Spondilitis. In January 2012 he was put on Humira. In February 2012 he developed a fungal infection in his mouth and was told to come off Humira for one month. In March 2012 he was advised to start using Humira again because of the pain he was suffering with due to his A.S and on 8th May he had what I can only describe as a severe Panic attack. His vision went, his heart was racing he was sweating, dizzy, tingles in his head and highly anxious. We took him to the hospital and from that day onwards his life has been taken away from him. The hospitals and doctor’s visits became a daily occurrence. He saw copious amounts of doctors who did every test under the sun to find out what was happening to him and each and every one came to the conclusion that Humira had taken over his central nervous system. His vision was blurry every single day and he now has to wear glasses. He was having at least 4 panic attacks every week. He went from having 20/20 vision to needing glasses overnight. He suffers with Pins and needles in the left side of his head and he now suffers from severe anxiety and all his Rheumatologist could recommend was to wait for the drug to fade which could take years. He now has CBT, hypnotherapy and counselling on a weekly basis and our days now depend on how he is feeling which depends on whether we can even make it to work or not. He has gone from being the happiest, laid back, chilled out person to the most Anxious person Ive ever known. His life has been ruined, some days I dont know how he does it. This has a knock on effect on everything including myself. We understand that there may be 'cautions' on some prescribed medicines and these prescribed medicines are designed to make us better but this one in particular has ruined our lives. He has not been able to work properly since this has happened, luckily I have been able to support him but it has been the hardest 4 years of my life. There is no doubt in my mind that Humira was the cause of this and in some way I just want some justice for Joe and what he has and still is going through because of this nasty drug. He has been back on Enbrel now for over 2 years and it works wonders for his pain from his condition. His A.S is under control but his Nervous System is not. He is missing a part of himself. If anyone out there can help at all and get back to me with any advise as to whether there is anything we can do I would be forever grateful. This awful drug may well be effective for some but for those who are unfortunate enough to suffer the way Joe has from it makes me truly believe it should not be prescribed to anyone as the side effects can literally ruin lives as it has ours and clearly many others.
We live in the UK. I guess most people on here are in the USA.
April F Chaney
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melissa lovett
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Charles
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Gary Chapman
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Gina stocker
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Joshua perry
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Dawn
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MY RIGHT FOOT WAS PARALYZED & I HAD NO FEELING IN MY ANKLE... EXCEPT THAT SHOOTING PAIN. Oh,... then they took me off frickin' Humira. Noticing my crazy Flippy foot limp, I was found unfit for duty at work. I've been off work a month. The tremors are gone. No more strokes or seizures. I still have trouble remembering some words at times. I'm still in incredible pain. I'm still disabled. In fact, I fell this week, due to my Flippy foot (parlaysis) and likely tore my MCL.I still need surgery on my cancer, once they determine my brain is OK... And likely on my back. Hopefully not my head and knee. I'm frickin' broke from copayments and deductibles and meds.
If I don't reverse this paralysis and get rid of this pain, I'll be fired,... I'll lose my job. I'm a single mom who can barely care for herself, let alone her child. I have move to get help from a friend.
Humira has destroyed my life. I am stunned reading these accounts! I had no clue I wasn't the only one! Seriously, support group????
Scotty B.
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Thanks.
reham35
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Anyone out there have a brain bleed due potentially from using Humira? I am curious to know and share information
Karen
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Paul ohanlon
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richard
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Danny C.
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I have signs that are very similar of that of a patient diagnosed with MS.
I took humira from 2002-2012 to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
After complaining to RA doc of leg shaking he sent me for MRI of brain and spine where the neurologist looked them over and said that I had plaques on brain and spine. Now plaques are dead lesions, non active, butt where indeed active before dying off.
Then immediately I was taken off of the humira injections and was prescribed Rebif, a different drug to treat MS.
After been off Humira, no new lesions or plaques has showed up on any of 6 MRIs that I have taken subsequently after being diagnosed with MS, however my symptoms are differently has gotten worst.
Now here's my question, is anyone out there that has a similar
Story.
Retained an attorney, however he's looking for a doctor to collaborate with the theory that MS/nerve damage is indeed the main cause of damage.
Thank you ahead for your response, Danny
Cathy
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matthew
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Kiza
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Everybody who wrote about tingling/numbness over the past 4 years talks about it being left-sided.... how odd. I wonder what the correlation is (I get it, Humira...but how?).
Would love some insight.
Francesca
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Sara
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Susan Lake
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Michelle
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Matthew Adair
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Nads
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heather mignone-penton
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Heath
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Joanne Gores
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There was a time when he were uninsured and so exhausted $10,000 in savings in a matter of one month. Enbrel has a foundation that helps with low-middle income patients--if you have insurance. But now it is losing its effectiveness as well.
The pharmaceutical industry runs unchecked and this prescription habit of one size fits all--sometimes because the doctor is more worried about stock options-- is heinous and criminal. I wonder why the insurance companies don't go after these guys--the drugs are not cheap!
Wall street dictates our mortgages, our health and our safety. How do we begin to dismantel this monster?
ConnieMaks
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After reading all day and reading comments on this site, I now feel my fuzzy focus and forgetfulness is from the Humira. I have read it can take up to 5 months for side effects to stop.
I am so glad I quit taking it because my rheumatologist kept saying that he didn't think my symptoms was caused by Humira. I also gained 30 lbs in 4 months and he said that was not a side effect of humira, however that was the only thing that had changed in my life.
Stacie
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Nicki
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Kathleen
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Carley James-Heinisch
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Debbie
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A couple of weeks before our sons 16th birthday, our son complained about a pain in his stomach. It turned out to be appendicitis which required hospitalization for about a week, because his appendix actually had burst and needed to be removed. For a couple of weeks afterwards he had a drain bag attached to his side that needed collected excess fluids from the surgical area before finally being removed. A short time later (right after his 16th birthday), he developed a lump in the surgical area which led to another hospital stay both in home town and eventually to a major city Children’s Hospital. It was then that he was first diagnosed with Crohn’s. Medication got it under control when only a couple months later another lump was discovered and he was once again admitted to a Children’s Hospital and a more aggressive medication regiment along with the right combination of routine drugs was found. (6-mercaptopurine (6-MP), Lialda) The doctors told him he would have to take these medications every day for the rest of his life. He was in the hospital a total of 42 days in 2006 and now he was faced with a life-long illness that he needed to control.
Not wanting a repeat of those events, we would always quiz him to make sure he was still taking his medications and everything was going OK health wise. After he left for college, he had a couple of episodes or flare-ups because he stopped taking his medications for one reason or another. Nothing Prednisone wouldn’t clear-up. In 2014 he had to get a new GI doctor, because his GI doctor at the Children’s Hospital had retired and he was over the age to see another Children’s Hospital doctor. At this time he saw a TV commercial about the drug Humira and it was for Crohn’s and was administered by a shot every two weeks vs. 6 pills a day. I mean who wouldn’t want to try it! He talked with the new GI doctor and he did not want to change him to Humira. Our son was not satisfied, so he searched for yet again another GI doctor. After a complete medical work up the new GI doctor put him on Humira, this was in October 2014.
The new drug Humira seemed to be working, and he loved the shot every 2 weeks. He felt good and went out with friends on Friday, December 12, 2014, however on Saturday afternoon he felt like he was having just another flare-up. He went to an urgent care clinic to get some medicine which they gave him an antibiotic. By 11:00pm he was in a great deal of pain and went to a hospital where he was admitted. It was at that time the doctors decided to go in for an exploratory look, the worst possible outcome occurred. (He’s GI doctor was not consulted)
Intestinal obstruction and rupture (perforation) of the small intestine with abscesses (collections of pus). They said his body was not strong enough to fight off the infection.
He passed away, Monday December 15, 2014 at noon.
We can only assume the drug “Humira” was not working and destroying his intestines. Or destroying his body auto-immune system to help fight off the infection. As this was not our first rodeo with a “flare-up”.
So much for the TV commercial for Humira, as it easily influenced our son to influence his new GI physician to prescribe Humira.
Audrey Wright
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margaret powell
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2011 january ggt liver function test at 35 rose to 200 in febuary 2012 stopped for operation on knee ggt fell to 110 restarted humira started a month later then rose back up to 210 .severly ill in hospital nov 2013 march 2014 i have been diagnosed with fribrosis of the liver i have been classed as termanally ill i beleive this is all due to the humira.i have never suffered liver or cirrhosis before have scans and ultrasounds to prove it no one will give me a time but i am now going to spend a while in a hospice which is only for the terminaly ill,1year if im lucky.humira wa used in the whole aspect of treating chrons
Mrs. EAK
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tim eddings
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rami tawfiq maayah
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now doctors says that my brother will not be treated!!!
Kiki
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Margaret Merchant
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Chris Broschell
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Mary
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Joy in Irvine, CA
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My sister died in 9-2013 from taking Humira for 3 years for a severe skin lesion problem. Humira damaged her liver and she was only 58 years old. Do not take Humira because it will destroy your liver, and then you will be in extreme pain and die from a stroke; like my sister did 4 months ago. She was a vibrant healthy person prior to taking Humira; and I am spreading the word how dangerous Humira is.
Val Disarro
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Two years ago to control his psoriasis and
Reumatoid arthritis; needless- to-say,
He take the shot gets really tired, the next
Day he is still kind of tired, third day I see
A personality change in him and he gets
Upset for every little thing and yells a lot.
Fourth day he is not too bad but I have
To be carefully on how I approach him
To talk to him, fifth day out and out rude
Goes out in his shed and segregates himself
From everyone. Oh yeah, when I do ask
Him whats wrong " he says he is in pain"
Oh plus he has dystimia, HBP,high cholesterol
Smokes cigarettes . He is miserable.
Marie Homan
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much love,
Marie
Jessica Roberts
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Claire Miller
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Donna Lapka
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Todd
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I was taking Humira for approximately one-year to treat Crohn's Disease, however I have discontinued its use due to health complications. The damaging conditions and complications I am now suffering are not in my family (they are not genetic), nor have I ever suffered any related symptoms or conditions before taking Humira.
Approximately 3-4 months after beginning Humira, and not knowing that any of these conditions were possibly related or promulgated by Humira, I developed and was treated for several skin/dermatology conditions, such as "inflamed seborrheic Keratosis" and various "basal cell carcinomas." The Dermatopathology Report is quoted as saying, "This is a curious case and there appears to be a disconnect between the clinical and histopathologic impression. Certainly, there is no evidence of any atypical basaloid or atypical invasive squamous process, even despite performance of multiple step levels."
Soon after, I was diagnosed with "Gynecomastia," but in only my right breast. Again, the diagnosis was confusing to the doctors as I had no family history and that it was only in one breast.
Then, I felt a small lump near the heal of my right foot. Again, it was unknown as to what or why I had a suspicious area of inflammation.
In this year alone, I have suffered from nearly a dozen painful, and apparently unrelated and mysterious, inflammations and "lymphedemas." I have had to go to the emergency room 3 times and to many doctors. Multiple painful swellings have occurred in my testicles, penis, under my buttocks, arms, hands, face, lips, throat, and tongue.
I am now under the care of a Oncologist/Hematologist who, and again, is confused as to why this is occurring and believes it is a severe reaction to Humira.
Sadly, and as a side note, I apparently developed Crohn's Disease from taking the medication Accutane around 1993. Again, I stumped doctors when I was finally diagnosed with Crohn's as I was atypical of the general Crohn's patient and it is nowhere in my family.
AJ
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Beth
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Tina
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Teresa Stephenson
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