Humira and swollen legs

[HeatherB]

Hi. Not been on here in a while but I have been on humira for 2 years now and am completely P free. However over the last few months ihave begun to have very swollen ankles and now have very swollen legs which are getting worse. I am generally fit and healthy, eat sensibly and exercise, not overweight although I am now putting weight on because of the swelling.
My GP has had me tested for kidney, liver, thyroid, blood pressure and all fine. My humira consultant has given me a ECG and chest x ray and says that the swelling is not down to the humira but it is getting worse.
The water tablets prescribed have not helped, nor does elevating my legs, drinking more water etc and the swelling is the non pitting kind. I am due to see a heart consultant next week just for a double check but my GP does not think my heart is the problem,
Has any one else had a similar problem on humira? Any advice/ thoughts would be most welcome. Thank you

[peter05]

I have had swollen  legs on humira,  so I had  heart scan and they found a slight problem but have to be tested every year to see if it gets worse, but they do not think it is connected with humira, but I have also been a diabetic for 43 years, I have to take tablets for my heart now, but I still get swollen legs, got to go and see the heart consultant in feb, sorry I can't help more


PS they did not find anything wrong on ecg's it was only after a stress test and a gamma xray (scintigraph) and after that a coronagraph they found the proplem so I would ask for those 2 tests

[Pieman]

Hi heather

I experienced swollen lower leg and ankle too at the
Start of my humira escapade nearly 22 months ago and
Am similar to you – in remission 99.5% flakey free.

The lymph nodes responsible for lower leg drainage developed
Peripheral edema which was eased by leg elevation in my case and was
Also informed that diuretic tablets would have had no effect.

The swelling disappeared of it’s own accord!  ::)within 3-4 weeks thank goodness
 – but indeed Was scary and uncomfortable at the time – you’ve had a few months
sofar? Omg!

Consultants I saw also ran tests which were normal and similarly to you
“ruled out” Humira as the potential perpetrator although this wasn’t proven - a lot of raised eyebrows and head scratching went on though…an unknown phenomenon!!

I was also taking anti TB meds in conjunction with the H …maybe an interaction between the two??  Are you taking other meds alongside Heather?

Good news that all your tests are normal sofar – reading the extensive patient
Info leaflet for H and scale of potential side effects can be a  scarefest!
feet/leg swelling could be a potential indicator of congestive Heart failure or potential elevated but rare risk for plaque psoriatics for malignancies including lymphomas.

Not my intention to scare you Heather! But fingers X’d - hope all goes well with remaining tests -  And indeed hope it just disappears like mine!

Keep us posted
pie

god - i can ramble a bit

[HeatherB]

Thanks guys. It is all a bit scary especially with the words heart failure being mentioned. I know I need to wait to see the consultant next week and I am having a scan apparently.
However, my own GP has admitted that he is baffled if it isnt anything to do with my heart and deep down I am not completely confident that it isnt anything to do with the humira. I would be very reluctant to stop this as it has been wonderful but I feel I will have to if all my other tests come back negative.
I am not on any other medication so , no, it cant' be that.
Quite frankly I am too young to be wearing frumpy shoes and flight socks all the time so really hope i get some answers!!

Will keep you posted