Stelara and Headaches: What Users Say

• Sun...
• February 13, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "Stelara was effective in the sense that it quickly healed my colon that had Crohn's disease. I would be thrilled, except that after a few doses, I developed horrible anxiety, depression, tinnitus, and headaches. I have been on other biologics without these issues. I did not feel like myself anymore, so I chose to stop it because the negative outweighed the positive. Everyone responds differently."

• Bbe...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Crohn's Disease "Just started Stelara. I can tell I'm very tired, and it gives me a little tummy pain and a sore throat. I'm bloated but always have been on and off. Harder stools at times, constipated. I've had 3 bowel rejections and now have 2 fistulas. I'm praying I can get rid of my second one being on Stelara. I'm still having a few flare-ups with fistulas, but hope I will work, yet just started. I'm going to ear, nose, and throat doctor tomorrow. I've had ear pain, inner ear, and headaches, and not sure if any is related to Stelara. It started at the same time and hurts more a bit now, but just had an injection 2.5 weeks ago. I'll keep everyone posted! Has anyone noticed eating issues or headaches, sore throat, and coughing up a little phlegm?"

• WAa...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 23, 2021

For Crohn's Disease "Been on Stelara injections for 12 months. I didn't detect any problems until 5 months ago when I started losing my balance, got a virus in my middle ear, and headaches and nausea. Doctor suspects it is connected to Stelara - has anyone else experienced these symptoms? Anyone else experienced this?"

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 17, 2023

For Crohn's Disease "Stelara fixed my stomach pretty much straight away. I was going to the loo for up to 20 times a day for nearly four years! At first, everything was great. I’ve been on it for a year now, and the side effects are awful. I have horrific fatigue, headaches, brain fog, hair thinning, pale skin, and aged terribly (I’m only 32). I haven’t stopped taking the medication yet, but it’s made me feel so fragile. Just wish I could feel normal!"

• RG1...
• September 12, 2016

For Psoriasis "I've been battling severe scalp psoriasis for 6 years, as well as the beginning of psoriasis in my genital region. Topicals didn't come close to helping. I was on Otezla for 3 months, but the side effects (vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches) were horrible. I tried Humira for 5 months, but it didn't reduce the plaques enough. After my first Stelara injection, there was a dramatic decrease in my scalp psoriasis, and the few patches on my genital region disappeared completely. After the second injection, my scalp is 80% clear with no itching or burning. The injection itself is pain free, the needle is maybe half an inch. I haven't had any side effects either. Highly recommend, I'm so happy with the results!"

• Rac...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 26, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "Stelara put my severe Crohn’s disease into remission, and it has stayed that way for the past 6 months. The shots don’t hurt very badly, and it’s only 1 every 8 weeks for me! Side effects I’ve noticed: headaches, fatigue, groggy day after shot."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2021

For Crohn's Disease "I was diagnosed 20 years ago and had a right hemicolectomy 15 years ago. Humira stopped working for me, so I was changed to Stelara 6 months ago. The first couple of doses caused intermittent headaches and I felt tired but kept on them. Started with urinary infections, bad constipation resulting in internal bleeding and hemorrhoids, really tired and depressed caused by the constant headaches and joint pain, so I'm giving up on them."

• Muf...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 18, 2012

For Psoriasis "Stelara was just as effective as the other biologics (Enbrel, Humira). A bit inconvenient is the doctor visit for the injection, but it is better controlled in this application. Great medicine for psoriasis. Been on it for 3 years and just recently getting headaches (5 days since injection). I'll give another 48 hours, then I'll check in with my doctor. I am still sold on this medication, wonderful breakthrough."

• Dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 6, 2018

For Psoriasis "Tried Humira over 9 months, bad reactions, nausea, weakness. No positive results. Then tried Otezla, again no positive results, bad headaches a side effect. On Stelara, I have very positive results; scaling gone, itching gone, red patches gone, all in less than 4 months."

• Lyn...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2022

For Crohn's Disease "I have had the infusion and now two shots of Stelara, and after each shot, I have about a week of side effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea. The biggest concern is the dizziness, which affects my daily life. It slowly goes away, and a few weeks later, the dizziness comes back for a few days, but my pain and other issues from Crohn's are so much better. I am hoping that I will adjust better with each shot."

• Mom...
• November 30, 2017

For Psoriasis "I have psoriasis on and off for over 20 years. It affected my ankles only, with a small patch on elbows from time to time, which has not come back for the longest time. However, the ankles would flare up so bad. Tried all the creams possible, Dovonex, Betnovate, mixed by the pharmacist with tar in it... and many more. All of these worked for a while. Then I took tablets internally, Acretin, Fumaderm... did not work. Side effects such as hot flushes, aches and pain, headaches. Then got tested for Stelara. Skeptical about taking an injection. All good so far... started in early November 2017. I did use a fantastic foam recommended by my GP while impatiently waiting and suffering to get Stelara. Working from the inside now :))"

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 1, 2022

For Psoriasis "I had a horrible experience with Stelara. 4 days after the first shot, I came down with the worst flu symptoms of my life!!! Body aches, cough, severe headache, chills, no appetite, etc. I'm done with biologics, period. I will try diet as a way of healing."