Humira--Need info and support.

[Guest guest]

Hello.

As those of you who have been with me on this list for the past years know

I have a primary Dx of Reiter's and Psoratic Arthritis. I later learned I

also have sjogren's and Chronic fatigue syndrome.

For the past 14 years or so I have been on methotrexate combined with

various other drugs. For four years I was on Remicaid which did help alot

and I did well with. Then it seemed like

Glucosomine/Chondrotin was doing well for me with less risk than these

crazy high power drugs. I was using that for about 4 years but then that

seemed to lose effectiveness.

I then began using plaquenil...then was a period I wasn't using that till

the dr was sure my eyes weren't being affected. Every other month liver

enzymes were checked. In January 2011 the results were higher than the dr

liked so he readjusted my dosage from 20 mg once a week (always have had

pill==no shots) to 16.

In the next two months my right hand became affected in a negative way.

The left hand esp the middle finger had become deformed before but the

right was ok. Now the right middle finger is bent and the whole hand and

wrist is twisted. Various other joints are affected too.

The sjogrens is also worse. My eyes are very dry. About 2 months ago my

dog scratched my cornea by accident and since then the eye dr has had

opportunity to observe that part more closely. He just informed me that I

need to start using eye drops or my eye dryness will lead to inflammation

and infection.

Bottom line: RE: the Reiters though.. The dr sat down and discussed with

me in detail the options I have available. It has been so long since I was

on the remi that the dr is afraid I will exhibit an allergic reaction to

it...that would be very negative.... So based on all factors he wants to

put me on Humira.

I have already had the TB test and have to get chest xray. He has to put

the paperwork through to get medicaid to pay for it. I have to learn to

give the injections. ly I am very scared about this turn of events.

Lymphoma is in my family genetics---and that is something I am very

vulnerable to with Humira. Lung infections are a thing to watch out for

too and I have the tendency for those. But what else can I do...

Any info you have about your own experience or knowledge of Humira..I'd

really appreciate your sharing.

Thanks! I think of you all and hope all is going well for you.

Liz Kilpatrick

On the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River, Davenport,IA

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(A)PERSON with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the

facts! *H. Brown,Jr.**************************************

LIFE isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning

how to dance in the rain! *Vivian Greene*************************

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EMAIL: juliette@... WEBSITE: http://members.tripod.com/~LizK

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