Re: New and intro (long)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/24/2006 10:33:40 AM Central Standard Time,

thmain@... writes:

Brand new to this list. I have been diagnosed with RA for four years now.

I have been

having flare ups more frequently lasting longer and longer. I saw my

rheumatologist

yesterday and have now been prescribed Humira in addition to methotrexate

(dose

lowered now because of Humira), and prednisone. I was taken off of

azulfidine because of

the Humira.

The rheumatologist said yesterday that my joints did not look " too bad " and

offered to

prescribe pain medication (this is before he suggested Humira). When I

asked about the

number of flare ups I have been having vs. being controlled with my current

medication

regime, he suddenly changed to prescribing Humira.

I am the only person in my family with RA so I was looking for some insight

from others. I

am flaring once to twice a month (last flare has not finished and I am on

week three). My

pain is traveling from joint to joint, one side to another. I feel like it

has really effected by

daily activities. I was wanting to hear from others who are on

Humira.....what side effects

have been experienced? what is the average length from start of medication

to noticing its

effectiveness? any advice/insight/suggestions?

I don't feel as confident with my rheumatologist after yesterday's visit but

I also hate the

thought of trying to find another one.

Thanks so much,

Welcome ! You have found a great group of people to talk to. Tons of

info and support. Sorry you are flaring so badly. I also have RA and taking

methotrexate, prednisone and Humira. Recently the mtx and pred were increased

and life became much easier for me. You asked about Humira and its side

effects... personally i've had great success with it. The biggest thing i had

to g

et over was having to give myself a shot. Yes it does sting like hell, but

i've found using an ice pack before injecting helps out immensely. As far as

side effects, nothing serious. A very tired/exhausted feeling the next

day...once or twice injection site reactions like soreness or bruising. The

meds

started working for me in a matter of weeks, but it can take a while for some.

I

hope you can find relief soon. HUGS

from PA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/24/2006 3:47:52 PM Central Standard Time,

cjmy3454@... writes:

I am the only person in my family with RA so I was looking for some insight

from others.

I thought i was the only one in my family also. After digging around for

info i found out that my grandfather on my mother's side had RA as well...So

much for comunication!

[Guest guest]

Anyone in your family has an auto-immune disorder?

thmain <thmain@...> wrote:

Brand new to this list. I have been diagnosed with RA for four years now. I

have been

having flare ups more frequently lasting longer and longer. I saw my

rheumatologist

yesterday and have now been prescribed Humira in addition to methotrexate (dose

lowered now because of Humira), and prednisone. I was taken off of azulfidine

because of

the Humira.

The rheumatologist said yesterday that my joints did not look " too bad " and

offered to

prescribe pain medication (this is before he suggested Humira). When I asked

about the

number of flare ups I have been having vs. being controlled with my current

medication

regime, he suddenly changed to prescribing Humira.

I am the only person in my family with RA so I was looking for some insight from

others. I

am flaring once to twice a month (last flare has not finished and I am on week

three). My

pain is traveling from joint to joint, one side to another. I feel like it has

really effected by

daily activities. I was wanting to hear from others who are on Humira.....what

side effects

have been experienced? what is the average length from start of medication to

noticing its

effectiveness? any advice/insight/suggestions?

I don't feel as confident with my rheumatologist after yesterday's visit but I

also hate the

thought of trying to find another one.

Thanks so much,

[Guest guest]

,

When my RA first started, it was like that, traveling from joint to

joint. Then I was given a steroid shot for shingles. After that, the RA

seemed to settle in my hands and shoulders. So at first the rheumy

diagnosed me with diabetic limited joint mobility syndrome (in my

hands) and two frozen shoulders (which diabetics tend to get). The hand

thing was supposed to be painless, and even diabetics don't usually get

two frozen shoulders at once! With RA mimicking frozen shoulders, I can

truly sympathize with those who have been complaining about their

shoulders hurting. Every movement of the arms brought with it severe

pain. Methotrexate eventually took care of that pain, thank goodness.

I haven't been on Humira, but Enbrel is working very well for me. I

hope you get relief with the Humira.

Sue

On Friday, March 24, 2006, at 11:27 AM, thmain wrote:

> My pain is traveling from joint to joint, one side to another. I feel

> like it has really effected by daily activities.

>

[Guest guest]

I was not aware that anyone in my family had had RA. Then I found out

that my mother's sister had it. I thought that she had osteoarthritis,

and she always wore long sleeves to hide the nodules on her elbows.

Sue

On Friday, March 24, 2006, at 04:50 PM, N2kids@... wrote:

>

> I thought i was the only one in my family also. After digging around

> for

> info i found out that my grandfather on my mother's side had RA as

> well...So

> much for comunication!

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Welcome to the group. Sounds like your doctor is

doing the right thing, and treating your RA

aggressively. I am not on Humira, I take Enbrel, and

the shots are no biggie once you get used to them. I

hear the Humira stings some, though, so ice is good

for that. The day after my Enbrel shot I usually am

more fatigued than usual, and I think it's the same

with the Humira. I also take Mtx, Mobic and Ultracet.

I hope that you are able to get benefit from the

Humira, and are able to wean off of the Prednisone.

Hang in there - as soon as the new med kicks in, I

hope you will be feeling lots better, and able to do

more activities -

Kathe in CA

--- thmain <thmain@...> wrote:

>

> Brand new to this list. I have been diagnosed with

> RA for four years now. I have been

> having flare ups more frequently lasting longer and

> longer. I saw my rheumatologist

> yesterday and have now been prescribed Humira in

> addition to methotrexate (dose

> lowered now because of Humira), and prednisone. I

> was taken off of azulfidine because of

> the Humira.

>

> The rheumatologist said yesterday that my joints did

> not look " too bad " and offered to

> prescribe pain medication (this is before he

> suggested Humira). When I asked about the

> number of flare ups I have been having vs. being

> controlled with my current medication

> regime, he suddenly changed to prescribing Humira.

>

> I am the only person in my family with RA so I was

> looking for some insight from others. I

> am flaring once to twice a month (last flare has not

> finished and I am on week three). My

> pain is traveling from joint to joint, one side to

> another. I feel like it has really effected by

> daily activities. I was wanting to hear from

> others who are on Humira.....what side effects

> have been experienced? what is the average length

> from start of medication to noticing its

> effectiveness? any advice/insight/suggestions?

>

> I don't feel as confident with my rheumatologist

> after yesterday's visit but I also hate the

> thought of trying to find another one.

>

> Thanks so much,

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

__________________________________________________