I have no idea if Humira is improving my situation or not. For the most part my joints have improved for a time after the injection, with the exception of storm fronts. It does seem it knocks my immune system down so bad that I get sick every time a few days after injection. RD says she feels she thinks my condition is holding steady. Well I am glad she thinks she can evaluate that as I seem to be having more aches and pains no matter what the drugs. The sad part is my damage is becoming more visible at what seems to be a rapid rate. There are only a few days that I can walk more than a few hundred feet. The braces do help. I don't know what I would do without my aid. She is a Godsend. We have become good friends and I truly do not think I could take care of me and my household without her. Anyone on Humira, love to hear your experience. Hey Liz - How ya doing?
What do I do when I get bedridden????? Find someone else to share my bed with
Brett is coming back in July to make another go of it. Our separation has opened up a lot of good communication. I miss his gentle soul and now he does not have to be my caretaker. I feel very blessed, I get 88 hours a month of help. Only bonus to having this disease ravage your body
I have been told that I HAVE TO check in once in awhile by people I care about (via email) so this is my update. I don't recognize half the names here anymore. Amazing how things change.
I was diagnosed 2 years ago with RA although it does not show up in my blood. After trying several different drugs I started Humera about a year and a half ago. Although it relieved my symptoms somewhat, after awhile I noticed I was still in alot of pain after a hard day of work on my feet and a lot of lifting. Storm systems moving in, first I thought it was a low pressure front, then a high pressure?????
My immune system got so low I was sick all of the time, and wierd stuff, like shingles, fungus of the milk duct of the breast, everytime I looked at someone sick, I got sick.
I stopped Humera on my own in mid March and started low dose Pred. just 10 mg. per day and 600mg of Motrin 3x day . Along with Zantac to protect my stomach. I can't say I feel a whole lot different. I have good days and bad when the weather acts up or I'm working alot.
I've got an appointment with a new RA May 23rd. I just think my old RA was a joke. He has never taken an x-ray of one joint in my body. I'm told by others that is the first thing they should do. Among other things I think he was just "Milking me and my insurance Co."
I don't know Roxy, I don't know if I built up a resistance to it or what but I was just tired of being sick all the time. I'm trying to hold on to my job but it gets harder and harder.
I've been off of it for almost two months and can't tell a whole lot of difference.
Oh yeah, I took my shots in my stomach, and started getting lumps in my stomach?????
Who the hell knows????
KAT
Hi Roxy,
Glad to know that you're hanging in, I don't post very often but I do follow the posts. I was on Humira for about six months and it nothing for me, I'm having remicade infusions every 5 weeks along with mtx injections and several pain meds, but the remicade seems to work really well until about the last 5 or 6 days before the next infusion. I agree about being bedridden and having someone to join me, how about an adonis look alike to feed me grapes and fan me with a palm frond, maybe I'd forget the pain!!!
Hi Roxy,....
I have been on humira since November but got off of it in Jan back on now. Have had 3 shots. Take them every other week. I haven't noticed any difference in my pain or swelling. I have noticed Iseem to have a little more energy but by the end of the day I am whipped. I also started a couple weeks ago having knee pain which I have never ever had before. So I don't know if it's too early to tell or what. I go on Tuesday to see ra doc. Stormy weather, heat and humidity really bother me. I feel the storm front coming in a day or so before it hits.
I wish you the best with your health and family life.
CinDee
Hi Roxy, good to see you post. You have such a positive post. Although you are obviously still not 100% - you are sharing that there are good things happening for you, and that's great!!!Hi Roxy
Glad to see you on here again.Thngs are sounding so much better for you
Thank you all for well wishes, welcomes and your Humira experience. My rd is bound and determined to give Humira six months. The worst symptom I have been having lately is what feels like bolts of electricity running down my arms and shoulders. I am told it is "probably from pinched nerves from inflammation". I also still "hear things" - that chain sound and ringing in my ears when I get really bad. Very very scary. I am told by gp and rd that it may be tinnitus and I am taking niacin and trying to not take aspirin. The whole thing is very strange and scary. I want to call ambulance many times but every time I see doctors, they do not seem concerned. One more bonus, I have psoriasis on finger that has the bad ridges on nail. STILL - I am told to stay on Humira.
RD just says I am one of the "unlucky ones" with severe fibro and RA. I get so worn out trying to find answers - I have gotten to the point of just trying to live with it and make the good days - REALLY GOOD. My aid is wonderful and compassionate. When I am well enough, we go out to lunch, and then go buy flowers for my yard or clothes for Kelsey at thrift store just to celebrate. She worries about me. How lucky am I? She does not get paid for it but on her own, she calls me seven days a week early am to tell me to take my pills next to my bed then go back to sleep. If I don't do that, I cannot get out of bed and have to just lay around in pain. She also comes by on weekends, sometimes bringing desert or even dinner, ON HER OWN. She is an angel.
Anyway, I wish this were more upbeat but the RA rages on............ I guess I just accept it better. I feel so blessed to have my angel and my cozy home and animals. I rarely get out but my house is so cozy and Angie, my aid is such good company that I do not mind too much.
Kelsey has taken a downturn but that is a long story. Just trying to live with her until she stabilizes. The neighborhood association came to work in my yard yesterday. WOW - what a wonderful town.
I told a teacher that was volunteering, I would love to teach her my program and curriculum I used to do in my science program. She was very excited about its content. I do not have energy but it is a wonderful way to teach lifecycle, habitat and ecosystems. I promised to come do a presentation but warned I may have to make more than one attempt - due to my health. I cannot implement the curriculum but I can teach teachers how to teach it. I hope I can anyway. I am hoping for better health this summer. She was talking about using it next year.
Anyway, that is the latest. I will try to upload pics of new pup this week. The last week has just sucked but the last month has had many Godsends. Good health to all. Posting does wear me out when I am flaring.
PS My ex boss got beat up pretty badly going into homeless camp the other day. I always told them that would happen one day. I am glad it was not me - getting beat up would sure HURT with RA
I will probably regret it tomarrow, as I'm starting to feel the pain already, but I've done something today I haven't in two years.
I TRIMMED MY BUSHES!!!!
My hedge bushes that is all 7 of them!!! My hands are starting to hurt like hell. But I look at those bushes and feel good inside.
I've found the more I sit and lay the stiffer I get. I'm gonna feel like hell tomarrow. But my bushes look great! lol
Rox, as far as the Humira, I think it's a great drug in the beginning, but I started feeling the tingling down my arms and the numbness.
The psoriasis, if you haven't had it before is probably because of the low immune. I've got the ridges on my toenails and now starting on my finger nails. I just had to have a break from it. I kept getting these freaky infections. ? New RA the 23rd. Can't hurt to try.
KAT