[Ladybug07]

Does anyone else have Crohn's Disease? Mine is moderate and well controlled. I have been on Humira for almost three years. I am starting to that it may be causing some of my depression and anxiety. Has this happened to you with any of your treatments/medications?

[healingme4me]

I've no experience with this illness, but I'm also of the opinion that certain medication can increase risk for depression/anxiety. Have you asked your pharmacist if this is a noted side effect?

[coyotee]

I've have depression and ocd and I just found out I have Crohn's. -- still waiting for the "official" Crohn's diagnosis - that lab test is coming back by the end of the week, but my GI is "95% sure it's Crohns"

This whole thing started about a month ago, hospitalization and now the meds - Prednisone and now Lialda and Flagyl and in discussion to start Humira down the line.

Before that I actually had my depression in control for a long while. Now it's spiraling out of control. I'm pretty devastated - this is all so new and hard to take in. But I also think the meds have a big role to play with that. I think the meds are really messing with me physically and mentally. Helping and bothering me at the same time...

I hate the idea of more meds - but I think I really need an antidepressant to regain back some control.

I'm glad to hear your condition is well controlled with the Humira. That gives me a lot of hope. Good to hear that it can be tamed a bit.

[kiwi33]

Ladybug07 and coyotee, I am sorry to read about your Crohn's Disease Dx.

Humira, and the various other TNF-blocking monoclonal antibodies are often highly effective.

One thing that you should be aware of is that because you have Crohn's Disease you are at a much increased risk of colon cancer - regular colonoscopy is highly recommended.

A dear IRL friend of mine died from colon cancer secondary to Crohn's Disease - please don't let that happen to you.

I take Humira, but it's for autoimmune arthritis. Your question about Humira and depression/anxiety is a good one. I've had depression for a long time. It gets to be difficult to figure out what's caused by psychological issues, by my health problems, or by the meds I take for them.

I do feel like I can say for sure that my depression was worse before my autoimmune arthritis was diagnosed, and I began treatment for it. It was a much more agitated, painful type of depression.

I guess I'd have to say that I think it's possible that Humira is aggravating my depression. I don't really have any other good options for meds at the moment, though. Maybe in another 3-4 years, but not now.

So even if I thought I'd become depression-free if I stopped taking Humira, I wouldn't stop it because I can't deal with the severe pain and joint erosion that come with untreated autoimmune arthritis.