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Roxanne's Humira Journal

My name is Roxanne and I am 39 years old. I have suffered from RA since the age of 32. Right after the birth of my 2<sup>nd daughter. After my first daughter, I came down with my first autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism. At first the doc put me on some prednisone and plaquenil. The prednisone helped me a lot. Later, the doctor added methotrexate and then I did the Enbrel and after 2 years of Enbrel, we tried the Remicade. I cant say that these drugs helped a whole lot. In July, after my 7<sup>th infusion of Remicade, I suffered from a severe allergic reaction to the Remicade 15 minutes into my infusion. I broke out in hives, a rash, and my entire body started to swell and deform. They pushed fluids and stopped the Remicade right away. The doctor told me that I am no longer aloud to have Remicade. Well, that is what brought me to Humira. My doctor told me about Humira, known then as D2E7. I waited and enrolled in the study. It is a phase III for safety and efficacy. Upon initiation of the study my sedrate and CRP were quite elevated to be between 70 and 90. Since enrolling in the study, Humira, has since been approved by the FDA.

I took my first shot of Humira on Monday, January 6, 2003. I took in the office, just like you would Enbrel. I had to call the study coordinator on Friday to let her know how I was feeling. Well, I cant say I feel anything yet. I am not sure. I know that sounds dumb. The only thing that I can say is this. I lived on Tylenol 3 times a day and Advil twice. I have only taken Tylenol a total of 2 times in one week. From my RA, I suffer low grade fevers and I have not had one since the starting the Humira. Upon starting Enbrel and Remicade, I did suffer from a lot of Herpes Simplex. When I stopped the Remicade in July, after the allergic reaction I only got one in 5 months. Three days after the beginning of Humira I got them again. I have to keep a record of how often I get them.

I will keep you posted when I give myself my second shot next week. If anyone ever has any questions, please feel free to email me at schurrthing@aol.com. I would be more than happy to answer any questions.

See you in a week with an update.

Thanks, Roxanne