I start it Sunday. I won't lie. I am scared. These drugs side effects scare the hell out of me but it is quite obvious I am going downhill FAST! Several storms have been coming in but not quite rained, the pressure is killing me. Two days of being a cripple. I pray that Humira can change that. So cheer me on my friends, Humira is going to be my savior
Yeah...Updates!...I like those too!...
I don't know much about it. I can't take any of the biologics, as I am predisposed to lymphoma and my rheumatologist and hemotologist say I cannot take the risk.
I'm only on plaquenil, as methotrexate gave me a severe cough that lasted til I stopped taking it.
Best of luck, Sweetie. You are due for good things! My prayers are with you,
Nini
Hi Roxy. I know how you feel as i felt the same when i was going to start my humira. I didnt get the burn on my first one or any injection site reaction . No major side effects either just a rash on my arm but that could have been something else that caused that. I hope this is going to be YOUR wonder drug as you deserve to feel better. If you dont try you will never know.let it warm up a bit before injecting it..it helps prevent osme of the stingNini, would rituxan be an option for you. It's original purpose was as a lymphoma treatmentI've got my fingers crossed for ya Roxy. Good Luck!Hope it works for you Roxy! Good luck Roxy and will be praying for ya.Humira, Humira on the wall
Keep fighting. I just know one of these days you are going to be telling us about going on some new path. The world out there still beacons you, you just have to find a way past the barriers.
And, seeing how much better that I've gotten with my knees I hope does encourage you and makes you feel like it can happen for you too.
Hope humira works for you roxy! If it doesn't there are more medications to try.Buckeye, thanks for the suggestion. My rheumatologist was originally going to try the rituxan, but it was decided between her and my hemotologist that it would be best to save rituxan for when my RA gets worse. They don't want to use the "big guns" yet as they are concerned that I wouldn't have anything left to try when my disease progresses.
I seem to be feeling a bit better with the plaquenil. Started about 7 weeks ago. Still get tired, but it's isn't overwhelming like before.
I'm still interested in how the biologics work for others, though. I have two sisters that also have RA, and all the great folks here.
Roxy, hope your Humira proves to be your "miracle drug", without side effects..
Gentle hugs to all.
Nini
The idea of using the "big guns" as you called them is to PREVENT the disease from getting any worse. I don't understand her position. You would think she would be doing everything in her power to stop the progression of the RA. You try and put out a fire when its small enough to control not wait until its a raging inferno..great you put out the fire but by then the house is destroyed
But that is just me....
GO ROXY GO!!!!
SENDING GOOD CYBER VIBES YOUR WAY!
Although I had to come off of Humira after two years due to some neruo problems (That may or may not have been related I'm not convinced yet) I did really well on Humira as you well know.
I've been off of it for I guess 10 weeks now or more and I've continued to do really well. I've had to increase my MTX some to compensate; but I believe it got me to a far better place than I was this time two & 1/2 years ago.
I was able to take MTX though and I do believe those of us that are able to tolerate it do better on MTX than those that can't take it. I believe though that alot of folks do well on it without MTX....so hopefully you'll be one of those folks.
Did you get the quick inject pens or the regular needles?
Buckeye, I had the same reaction you did about the decision not to use Rituxan just now. By the way, the term "big guns" was used by my rheumatologist
Between my RA and blood problems, I have to trust the advice of my Rheumy and Hemotologist. And I really do trust them. They have identified problems that have plagued me for a number of years. And neither has given up on trying to find treatments that are appropriate for me.
My hemotologist said he still thinks the protein in my blood, that is so troublesome, is what brought on the RA. And that, if so, it is very uncommon. So trying the Plaquenil first seemed like a reasonable decision, under the circumstances.
Thanks so much for your interest,
Be well,
Nini
I can't wait for my Humira tomorrow. Brett's daughter Tiara came down today and I had to spend most of the day in bed. We gave the girl's money to go clothes shopping and she was so sweet to kelsey. Kelsey has beautiful curly hair but Tiara straightened it and made Kelsey up. Kelsey loved it. But then everyone went out to dinner and I had to decline. Just could not get myself up and out. Shoulders, wrists, knees, ankles PAIN PAIN PAIN. I am just not good at socializing when I hurt like that. I feel bad, maybe I should have MADE myself go. Anyway, this has made me look forward to Humira EVEN MORE. Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow............................Roxy - really hope the Humira works well for you. I think I have said before I was in chronic pain 10 years ago but it did pass - I am still not cured and have flares but just to give you some hope that one day the same will happen for you.
NiNi,
I do hope the plaquenil helps. And pardon my attitude. I live with severe joint damage and have had multiple joint replacements due to it. I just don't want anyone to have to go through what I have if it can be prevented.
roxy - hope the humira is the winner for you! I have no trouble taking it and it's been a huge help to me. I take mine today. Will be thinking of you as I do!!!
Deanna, You asked about my blood problem. I'll try to keep it as short as I can.
My blood work had always showed up with high white count, for at least the 14 years I've been with my GP. He watched it carefully and when it got to a certain point, sent me to a hemotologist. It was diagnosed as myeloproliferative disease, which basically mean a high white count.But itcan lead to leukemia. So I had blood tests every 3 months for about 4 years. Then my white count suddenly went down to normal and stayed there. Doctor said he had never seen that happen, for it to suddenly reverse itself. Everything seemed ok until I was diagnosed with RA.
My rheumatologist saw some odd things in my bloodwork and sent me back to the hemotologist who did some more extensive bloodwork. I had another bone marrow biopsy, too. All of the blood tests pointed to low grade lymphoma, which they don't even treat. Not unless it gets worse. That was when he said that he thought my RA was caused by the lymphoma.
After a cat scan of chest, abdomen and pelvis, and a skeleton study found a mass in the area of my adrenal gland. A CT guided biopsy showed the mass was an adrenal adenoma (not lymphoma).
However, my doctor said I still must be tested every 3 months because I have a problem with my M proteins. These are immunoglobulins. There is IGg, IGa and IGm. My problem is with the Igm. That indicates blood problem. So what I have is "MGUS", which is (I think I have this right
Have I confused you enough? There are many more details involved, but those are the basics.
I honestly do not worry about the blood problems. I have too many other things that cause me pain, so I'm not going to get panicked about something that might never become too serious. If it does, I'll worry about it then. I just go for all my tests and appts.
What kind of blood problems are you having?
Hope your knees are feeling better! My thoughts are with you. Take care.
Gentle hugs,
Nini
Deanna, I just looked up MGUS again. I was close
Just for the record
After Enbrel, the Remicade, now Humira I can tell you even if they are all the same family each is different. I had my 3rd inj (2 week routine) and I have had only 1 minor reaction, IT STINGs for about 2 minutes.
I can felt better last night about 4 hours after the injection. Some pesky tendonitis vanished! I have very high hopes this is going to be the best yet.
Good Luck
From the posts here, it sounds like many have had success with it. Did you take your other shot yet? I don't know how fast it works, but I hope it's immediate for you!
I'm sorry I kind of crossed your thread. It wasn't intended
Takle care, Sweetie. Let us know how the Humira works for you. You can see how many people care about you
Gentle hugs,
Nini