alternative for Humira | Arthritis Information

Hi everyone,

My niece possibly has RA. I think she definitely does because she reminds me of myself with the way she walks and moves but drs still are trying to rule out other things as cause for her problems. In the meantime, they have had her on pred and Humira. My SIL just told me that niece has stopped taking her Humira shots because she gets bad bruises. I have to take her to the RD on Tuesday for my SIL. Was wondering if there's anything else she could take in pill form?

Hmmm...not that I know of. If the RD wants her on biologics then they all involve needles as far as I know. Remicade may be a little better in that it is administered by an infusion by someone trained so that may be better for here. But, unfortunately biologics mean needles.

Someone else might know more options. I am wondering why she is not on a DMARD which are usually in pill form or can be?

Definitely ask the rheumy...he/she should be able to come up with another plan.

Cordelia,

What is DMARD? I'm not familiar with it. With Remicade, is there a set schedule they'll put her on for the infusions, if you know? Thanks for the information. This will also be helpful to me because hopefully within the month I will go to see a new RD and I need to know this stuff. I'm not a big fan of needles either however we do what we have to do.

Yea I think the Remicade infusions are every 6-8 weeks I believe. Im sure there is someone on here that is on it. Steph sorry, I can be a walking RA encyclopedia and info junkie.

A DMARD is Disease Modifying Anti Rheumatic Drug. Plaquenil, Sulphazalazine, Methotrexate, Arava. They are all DMARDS.

Biologic DMARDS are the level above in terms of treatment - Humira, Enbrel, Remicade and another one I can never remember the name of.

What I wondered is why the RD has her on Humira? Have the DMARDS been tried and failed? Most DMARDS are taken in pill form and are usually pretty much all tried before someone is put on a biologic.

Of all the Biologics...Remicade may be the best in terms of it is only every 6 - 8 weeks so that would cut down her bruising.
how old is she...are we dealing with an adult or child.? If she is on humira there is no possibly RA..she's got itI completely agree, buckeye. If she is on Humira, there is no possibly. She has it.

Hi everyone,

My niece is 22 yrs old. I honestly don't know much of the medications she has been tried on. I don't believe any others but I will have to ask her or my SIL. I have been wondering why the drs would put her on Humira and not say definitely that she has RA. From my limited knowledge and TV, I was under the impression that Humira was only for Arthritis. My SIL says that the drs are trying to rule out thyroid problems also. I'm completely ignorant on the thyroid. When she first started having problems, my brother immediately recognized my issues in her and asked for her to be referred to an RA. This poor kid has been going through the dx stage for years and still no dr will tell her definitely RA however they're treating her for it. I simply don't understand why. Thanks for all the info and explanations.

Does she have a Rheumatoid factor or is she seronegative...and how are her bloods...esr and c reactive protein?

Humira for thyroid...hmmm, don't think so.

Dx went on for eight years for me so it can be long winded.

What tests have they done?

To be diagnosed, my rheumy literally eliminated everything else by tests...bloods, TB test, chest x-ray and MRI on my brain...when all came back negative, he knew it must be inflammatory arthritis.

I think your brother is completely right about his daughter, pity the doctors aren't getting it.

And if you are going with her, you probably need to be armed with info, Aunt Steph.

HI there

Remicade :now thats a name i like to forget its an infusion in hospital one day two weeks apart Had no effect what so ever for me.

I am surprised that Humira was chosen so early most RA people try all the pill type treatmemts first Unless it was to hit it hard early befor it gets out of control.Embrel is from the same family.

That brings to mind a drug called Anakinra/kineret has anyone used that one. Requries you to have an injection every day(no fun here)dont here much about that one.

regards gigabyte re: stuart

RA:Mabthera/rituximab x 2 infusions

Steph, Humira has also been approved for "chronic to severe Chron Disease" hehe sorry had to say it the way they say it on the commercial Gigabyte....Kineret is used a lot with JRA. My daughter has JRA and I belong to a support board for parents with kids that have JRA and a lot of the kids there on it. I am not sure why it is not used more often with adults. I am going to ask my rheumy since he wants to change up my meds.

Hi guys,

Talked to my niece yesterday and she has been on most of the pills. I guess the hesitancy in dx is that all her blood work comes back negative for RA. Her biggest problem is giving herself the shots. I guess it's starting to get to her so I told her about Remicade. I'm also going to give her the web address for this board because I noticed there are a few people close to her age. I thought it might do her some good to talk to other people going through the same thing. Aside from her Auntie, that is.

Thanks for all the info.