Hi,
Ive been on remicade for about 1 1/2 yrs. took a while to get a theraputic dose, worked great for a couple of periods, then so-so, then couldn't really tell any difference. So going to start humira. Any thoughts? what to expect? success/non-success storeis? Any feed back would be much appreciated. Thanks!!
Tara L
Hi Tara, I hate giving out negative feedback but remember this is only one persons story and lots of others have had great success. I have been on Humira since december 2006, I had to have a break from it due to sinus infections( side effect) I then had such a great breakthrough with it with regards to being virtually unable to walk to walking no problem. So in the light of RA it turned out great but a few days after this happened I came down with an upper respiratory infection that made me really ill.It has taken 3 lots of antibiotics to try to clear it and it is showing signs of coming back. My doctor thinks it is an effect of the humira and it isnt clearing quick enough for the same reason.I am now off the Humira and waiting to see what happens now.
There are other on here who have had good results, hopefully Lovie or Grammaskittles will be able to shed a better light on it for you.
Take care and good luck, let us know
Tara, I have had two shots of the Humira, but have not shown a whole lot of improvement. I know that it is early, but why take a "miracle" drug if you haven't seen any miracles. I am more congested in my nose and lungs with it though. I don't know?? At this point I am not sold at all.Hi, I'm thinking I need to change from remicade to enbril myself, but will see the doc today and ask him, "what's up', I've been taking thse drugs for 3 months (increasing the amts), and I don't think they are working. Stiff fingers, painful on bottom of my left foot after walking.....just a little ways on the beach!, etc.
I've talked to so many people who have sat with me when I have had my medication (infusion) and they all swear by remicade. My doc says 'you are better', well better than waht???. I don't really know what I'm going to do, as it is costing me 0 a 'visit' for Remicade. Will post again today after my 3pm appointment. Lynda
I have been on humira weekly for almost a year. No side effects at all, no infections or anything else but its only minimally helping. I had tried enbrel before that and that didn't help either. These drugs work so differently for each of us though that i think its worth a try! Good luck!I have had good luck with humira. Like Michele said...these drugs work so differently for all of us.
The shots are very easy to do. Especially if you get the quick pens. The humira does burn when you inject. I suggest injecting in the arm (someone else will have to do that for you) or injecting in the tummy. In the leg burns more. Ice the area where you are going to inject til it's numb. That helps too.
I recommend a multi-vitamin to keep ya healthy on the humira. Before I started doing one I got incredibly sick and continued to get sick and that led to one nasty vicious circle of on meds off meds on meds off meds that one nasty flare. Since the vitamin...I hardly get ill.
Once again good luck. If you have anymore questions feel free to ask!!
Thanks everyone for your feedback. Such a hard decision, huh! have decided to try remicade one last time. Flaring so bad. Haven't been able to post for a long time, but you guys are all in my thoughts :o)
Success! Well, at least it is better than a couple of years ago. Just make sure you let the shot get room temp before injecting it really does cut down on the burn. Oh and do not run from the needle.
I hope it really helps you. Good Luck! Take it easy and rest as much as you possibly can. Let us know how this infusion goes if you can.
This is just my experience and everyone is different. I started out with Humira. That was when my Internal Medicine doctor diagnosed me with psoriatic arthritis. It worked for awhile, but then its affect was lacking. Then he started me on embrel which was doing well for about two months, then that quit helping. He then sent me to a R.A. doctor who diagnosed me with RA and Psoriatic arthritis. She started me on Remicade and has steadily had to increase frequency and dosage. Last visit she told me I was "failing" the remicade. She said I had one more increase in frequency and dosage. I go the first of August for my next i.v. treatment. This time I had remicade, I could tell no difference... She told me there was one more thing I could try, but it is very new. I cannot remember the name of it. Also that it was used for something else, but I can't remember that either. When I go back I will find out what the name of that drug is and let you know. I do hope that Humira works for you as everyone is different.
Hi,
finally updating. Well, the Remicade didn't work, so going to have to scratch that. Now have to wait 2 mos. before starting anything else. I feel like I have been runover by a truck. EVERY muscle in my body is sore to the touch (which is probably not the RA) but then the ra pain on top of it. Think I'm going to see if my RD will request some xrays, because (it sounds kind of crazy) but I feel like I have fractures in a couple of my toes. They are very painful, turning wierd ways, and "feel" fractured if that is possible.
Going to have to take more pred
Thanks for all the support and encouragement. Hopefullly I will be able to sleep a little tonight!
Take Care
So Sorry Tara. What meds did your dr say you can try after you wait 2months? Just curious. I go to my rd tomorrow. I have been on humira since Oct 06. Went off in Jan due to cyst. Went back on in April and take it every two weeks. Just took it Monday. Way back in Oct when I took my first shot, I felt great! Still had some pain because of overdoing things but I had some of my old energy back. Then after restarting after my infection cleared up in April, I haven't really felt any different. I usually have always had pain on my left side mostly all except for my right hand and neck. Now the pain and stiffness has shifted to the right. Both sides of my hips are brutal and my left hand has been a pain too. So...I think just my thoughts...that the humira failed me the second time. I think it worked great the first time but if you have to go off because of infection...it takes longer to make it effective. I hope things work out well for you. Everyone is different and I have always been the one to get all the weird stuff and that small %. Thanks CiDee. He said he would try Humira next