OT: Humira?

[2girlsmom]

Just wondering if anyone here has taken Humira or is taking it. I just had my first injection today. I am on it for RA.

[DyannaK]

No to the Humira... I am taking Methotrexate in pill form right now and the Dr is trying to convince me to go to the injectable Methotrexate. My mother took Enbrel before she passed away and it helped her immensely. I don't know anything about Humira...

[Trinity101]

Well I have not taken it, but I have a very dear friend with Crohn's who has been on Remicade for quite a while,and it made a world of difference to him-he is like a new person. He really just does not have flares any more.I don't go to see him and almost know that he has been having a bad spell lately-I used to be able to tell by looking at his color, his weight loss, etc.- he just doesn't go thru all that. He is just so much more stable. I know RA is a very different disease, but maybe the best recommendation IS the stability I have seen in him. I have autoimmune arthritis due to Sjogren's syndrome; and if my Rheumatologist suggested it,I would be very willing to try it, because I have seen what this type of drug has done for him.
~joan

[Hawthorne]

I took Humira while in a drug trial quite a few years ago. Unfortunately, it did not help me. I was on it for 4 months with no improvement. While it was drug trial, the trial was at the stage where everyone was on the drug so I knew I was taking Humira. On the bright side, I did not have any side effects at all from Humira.

I was on Enbrel after that with short term help. I am currently in another drug trial ( last 3 years) and this one is helping considerably.

I hope Humira is your "magic drug" and that you do well on it!

[psikes]

I am not on the board, but my husband is and he told me about your post. I am taking Humira for my RA. Just started, and have taken 3 shots to date. The first one I injected into my thigh and it hurt like #$&%. The next two I did in my stomach and my husband gave them to me. Iced before the shot and it wasn't too bad. I did get a red rash and it itched for a few days. Took about 3 weeks for the first one to go away. It is keeping me going, but it is not fully the answer yet. My Dr. says give it another couple of months. I am having a flare right now and am on a short dose of prednisone. Happy to chat with you further. Send a PM with your email if you want to chat more.

I use the the Activa LT for my apnea.

Lydia

[Slinky]

DyannaK, I have Crohn's. Fortunately, I've not needed the biologics. However, I've spent a lot of time in the HealingWell Crohn's forum where many are on methotrexate - and others on Enbrel, Humira or Remicade.

Its been discussed quite thoroughly that the injectable methotrexate produces less undesirable side effects and is more effective in treating the problem it has been scripted for. You might want to let your doctor give you a try on the injectable form.

[DyannaK]

Its been discussed quite thoroughly that the injectable methotrexate produces less undesirable side effects and is more effective in treating the problem it has been scripted for. You might want to let your doctor give you a try on the injectable form.

Thank you for the information Slinky... I am basically a big sissy when it comes to getting injections.. I do ok when they "take" it ( like blood) but really hate when they put anything in... I will do some more reading and have another chat with my dr.
thanks again,
Dyanna

[Slinky]

Dyanna, I doubt anyone is more squeamish about needles period than I was at one time. As late as when my kids were getting their "baby shots" our family doctor had to bring the syrnges into the room covered w/a towel and then tell me to look the other way whilst he administered the shot or I would end up dry heaving and upchucking all over the room!

Believe it or not I learned at 60+ years of age to not only give my own injections but even to give myself injections in the abdomen!!!!! I was squeamish about the abdomen bit but eventually tried it since they were subq shots. Piece of cake. Even tho my B12 shots were IM the needle was fine and short, no where near the size and thickness they use when they give you the B12 shot, and I had no problem giving them in the thigh.

You'd have laughed yourself silly to see me give myself my first shot tho!!! I was sweating like a stuck pig, eyes were glassy w/tears, hand was shaking like a pregnant nun's in church. I poked the needle in and knee jerk reaction I pulled it out even faster shooting the med all over the room and none in me. We had to reload and try a second time and that time I jerked it back and bent the needle so I had to try a THIRD practice shot before I succeeded!

Surprise! Nothing to it. After that a piece of cake. What a wusp I had been all those years!!

[DyannaK]

Thank you sooo very much for the smile I guess if you can do it (and you sound soooo much like me with needles) I can do it thanks again Maybe I CAN do it!

PS... I forgot to mention.... I LOVE your signature line

[2girlsmom]

Sorry I have not been back. Trying to keep moving through the pain. I was on the MTX in pill form a long while ago and became VERY discouraged when it did nothing but make me tired and feel bad. The rheumy at the time even hinted that she did not believe I was feeling bad from it! Like I would lie?

I went the naturopath route and got short term relief but it got to the point where she didn't know what else to do, so I am with a new rheumy that I really, really like. She said to me that I need to try a biologic since Plaquenil is bad for those with eye issues and MTX did nothing. She saw no need to try MTX again but said she may add it. I've since read a lot about people taking Humira 1x a week, so I may suggest that if we get to the point we need to change something. I just did not like the MTX pills at all. I have heard from a friend that the shots are a lot better s/e wise.

Thanks so much for your posts. I take my next shot a week from Friday while we are on vacation in Branson, MO... lucky me. LOL

I take the pen injections, if anyone wants to know. And the medicine burns but it is easy to give myself the shot.

[2girlsmom]

I am not on the board, but my husband is and he told me about your post. I am taking Humira for my RA. Just started, and have taken 3 shots to date. The first one I injected into my thigh and it hurt like #$&%. The next two I did in my stomach and my husband gave them to me. Iced before the shot and it wasn't too bad. I did get a red rash and it itched for a few days. Took about 3 weeks for the first one to go away. It is keeping me going, but it is not fully the answer yet. My Dr. says give it another couple of months. I am having a flare right now and am on a short dose of prednisone. Happy to chat with you further. Send a PM with your email if you want to chat more.

I use the the Activa LT for my apnea.

Lydia

I am on the pred and have been long term. I am wanting off it sooo badly. I'll look you up if I have any questions, thanks!

[Treesap]

I've been on Enbrel for 2.5 years now for Psoriasis. I did get redness at the injection site for the first few weeks, but it went away. I don't even get redness when I go through a period of not injecting for awhile. I'm a big sissy, and I make my husband inject me. I can't get myself to do it. I always get my injections in the stomach.

The only real concern about biomeds like Humira, Remecade, and Enbrel is the increased chance of infection. I haven't had any problems in the time I'v been on Enbrel.

I always thought about changing to methotrexate. Can anyone using it tell me the side effects you've experienced?

Good luck to you with your treatment.

[DyannaK]

Hi Treesap. I take Methotrexate in pill form, 8 pills one time a week. I have been taking it well over a year now and havent had any side effects at all. I feel better than I was before I began using it, but in the last few months my hands have begun hurting alot again and getting very stiff. My Rheumatologist wants me to go on the injectable metho and that may be what I end up doing in the next few months.