HUMIRA!! | Arthritis Information

Well, after getting NO result from MTX (oral and injections) or Arava plus Plaquenil, I started on Humira about 5 shots ago! I can FINALLY say that SOMETHING has worked! Not perfectly, but a LOT. My feet, elbows, and shoulders are 100% better. Wrists are better, although not perfect, but my fingers have stopped bothering me. Knees have stopped getting worse. It really knocked out the less-severe, more recent stuff quite quickly. My jaw is still problematic but that was problematic before RA. I still can't bend my wrist all the way but I feel like I'm getting some strength back. And the BIGGEST difference is that I can hop on the treadmill and start walking with MUCH less effort. Not just joints but energy level.

I can say that the swine thing has me scared to death, but I got a cold and didn't get any secondary infection yet. And I have stopped having any sort of bruise or what not where I inject (although I realize that might change).

But the one side effect that is bugging me is that 1-2 days after injecting, I have BRAIN FOG and just have trouble focusing at work. My ears feel plugged up and I am a bit dizzy. I'm just working with it for now though.

I have started to notice that it "wears off" and sometimes my joints still hurt, especially wrists and hands and jaw. But just to be rid of the swelling and pain in my feet is great, I was limping there for a while.

The next step will be to see if I can do something like yoga without flaring. The last time I tried was a disaster. I may just have to accept certain limitations in my wrist/elbows. And I need to see about my jaw eventually.

Anyway, just an update! Also, I was SO happy to be off of Arava, because I had so much stomach activity, but now I am back to being irregular. Oh well, can't have everything, will buy wheat germ or whatever...my hair is starting to come back in some too. I didn't notice it falling out so much as I noticed when I started to have to pluck my eyebrows more often again!!

My doctor says he has very few people on Humira alone and that almost everyone tolerates plaq so I'm wondering if he will try that again soon, plus Arava. I'd be open to Arava, but like being off it.

YAY Katie.

I read HUMIRA! Like Eureka!!!

so glad to hear this.........

I hope it continues to improve

Katie, this is great news. Sounds like you're kicking butt. LindyThanks! I had truly reached a point where I was afraid nothing would work. Provided I can take NSAID's, I am able to go to work, etc., I am definitely moderate and not severe RA, so the doctors kept acting like all the DMARDs were going to work, and it was discouraging when they didn't. KatieG,

I was on Enbrel for probably at least a year with some mtx and prednisone thrown into the coctail. I did get one lung infection and it cleared up with-in a week. Of course I didn't go around kissing and hugging. I usually wouldn't even shake hands. I kept hand sanitizers in my car. Anyway, glad it's working. I tried Humira but after a couple months Doctor switched to rituxin. Relief is so good.

LEV

Good to hear you are getting relief! May it only get better!!!!I hope you can continue the journey clear into remission.

I second Marian! Katie, I am so happy for you! It does feel good to feel good! I say go for the yoga and keep going! It's good to hear this kind of happy news, especially for one who has gone through the wringer. I hope that you continue to see good results from your Humira, and that the improvement doesn't stop till you are your "old self" again.Great news Katie! I'm so happy to hear it. I know I have a lot of improvement on enbrel! Let's celebrate...Hiking_galHumira has made a huge difference for me! I'm so glad to hear you are having good results. You can take it every week if it comes down to it; but I'd add in MTX with it before doing that. Are you taking MTX?

As soon as you can exercise do that. The stronger you get the better it gets; as I'm sure the case with be with any of this. I've just recently been feeling really good and started exercising and I think that's just made things even better for me. There's been plenty of times when I couldn't have keep up an exercise routine.....but that's so much better now.

The swine flu has me worried too. Although I'll have to say in all the time on Humira I've only been sick with anything once so I really don't think the risk is any worse for me thatn anyone else....although it's been proven with me that once I do get sick it takes FOREVER to get over something.

Good luck Katie!! And help me keep that diet and exercise thread pushed up to the front....I'm really getting into this stuff and I need some buddies!!

Good news! No, it is great news. I am so pleased for you and wish you great news every day from now on.

Cheers, Shug

Congratulations! Isn't it great when you start feeling good again. Hope it continues for a long time.

Thanks everyone! I probably should add MTX or Arava back in, but my RD wanted to get my itching resolved first. Derm thinks its allergies. I am on dexamethasone or something, tiny little course, plus Allegra in the am and Zyrtec in the pm. Seriously, I would miss my hair but it was nice to not have irregularity issues when I was on Arava. I almost wonder if that is connected somehow. Before RA dx even, I can eat cardboard boxes and still have issues. So we'll see. I'm due back to RD in July. I hate to lose time on Arava/MTX, but I hadn't responded before...I dunno. We'll see...

I may see about switching the day of my shot so I am brain foggy on weekends, not during work...

That is WONDERFUL news, katie!! I am sooo happy to hear the Humira is working for you! I hope you continue to get better. I'm not sure about the brain fog issues. I guess I have that now and then....but I could blame that on any number of things and really haven't connected it to Humira. I take mine on Saturday night....and Monday's I always drag. I blame that on the fact that I don't want to come back to work after spending two relaxing days at home.

Maybe try giving your shot on Friday nights like you said....so by Monday morning it's better. Any other issues with the shot that makes you not feel good with in days of taking it?