Re: Can we talk Biologics?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I remember that day my rheumy gave me pamphlets and showed me samples of

each and showed me how to use them, etc. I remember internally protesting

everything and being in total denial. Don't need it, don't want it. And so I

chose Enbrel. LOL. I use the Sureclick pen every Monday and I love it. It

seems the lesser of 2 evils given all the side effects, in my opinion. But

then

again, you could just play 52 pick up with the pamphlets and pick one. I

know that I didn't want Remicade. IVs and I do not get along, so that was not

happening. My first dose was awful, it gave me a headache, muscle pain

everywhere, and I think a slight fever. Gone the next day. 2nd dose, just a

headache, 3rd dose, nothing...It began to help me around the 5th or 6th

injection.

Now, I can't imagine my life without it. They have got to list all of

those side effects, and they are all worst case scenarios. Most people do not

have those reactions. Most people improve from this biologic. You will be

lucky to have it. It is all scary, no doubt. I get the heebie geebies just

being near someone with a cold for fear I might get it. I just proceed with

caution, but I am not going to live my life in a bubble. I just have to be a

little smarter about things! Whatever you choose, good luck to you....and

please keep us posted!

Heidi in Mass.

In a message dated 1/13/2009 5:19:26 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

keptoz@... writes:

Well I don't know why, but I really was never expecting it to get to

this - yes, major denial going on here... but after being unsuccessful

with NSAIDS, plaquenil, sulfasalizine & only semi-successful with

prednisone & MTX, my Rheumy sent me home today with pamphlets to look

over regarding Enbrel & Humira (to add to my weekly MTX).

I figure this was the place to get the " real " scoop - not just what's

in the pamphlets. My Dr recommends Enbrel over Humira from a risk (of

infection & cancer) standpoint. To say I am beyond terrified is an

understatement as I was at the terrified state just trying Plaquenil.

She is giving me up to 2 months (when I have my next appointment) to

make a decision & go get tested for TB if I decide to forge on...

I'd appreciate any info form your own experience - ease of using the

pen or needle, side effects, effectiveness, etc, etc, etc,

Thank you!!!

xoxo

**************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making

headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026)

[Guest guest]

I never knew how bad I was feeling until the day after I took my first

enbrel shot. I didn't hurt and could bend fingers that had been stiff

for at least a year. My experience with enbrel has been awesome I

continue to improve. I have held it a couple times due to a cold and

my fear of it getting worse.

I think the shots hurt. Sometimes I dread it. But then I tell my self

w/o the enbrel I was miserable. Of course the c word scares me, but

that could happen with or without the enbrel. I hope you find the

right combo of meds for you.

Diane

[Guest guest]

I ended up going with Humira , and it made a huge difference for me. Just

like you, I was only semi-successful with the MTX. It's no big deal

self-injecting, so don't let that get you nervous. The medication burns a

little bit when going in (for about 5 seconds), but again, that's no big deal.

I believe that both drugs have patient assistance programs, so I'd look into

that to see if you could save some money on your co-pay.

I do get sick more often now that I'm on Humira, but what isn't a trade-off when

your dealing with RA? Other than that, no side effects. To be honest, I was

much more scared going on the MTX. By the time I needed something more, I was

at the end of my rope. It took about 6 months for me to realize the full effect

of the Humira. I never got back to where I was before the RA, but I was a lot

better.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

When I was given the choice between Enbrel and Humira, I chose Enbrel.

It works very well for me; my RA is under great control. I'm also

lucky enough not to get infections often. I have no adverse side

effects, in fact.

I choose to stick with the 25mg. twice weekly Enbrel. It has no

preservatives because you mix it yourself. I tried the once weekly,

and it didn't seem to last as well for me. I inject into my stomach,

and it does not hurt.

Whatever you choose, I hope that you have the same success that I have.

Sue

On Jan 13, 2009, at 4:51 PM, keptoz wrote:

>

> I figure this was the place to get the " real " scoop - not just what's

> in the pamphlets. My Dr recommends Enbrel over Humira from a risk (of

> infection & cancer) standpoint. To say I am beyond terrified is an

> understatement as I was at the terrified state just trying Plaquenil.

> She is giving me up to 2 months (when I have my next appointment) to

> make a decision & go get tested for TB if I decide to forge on...

[Guest guest]

Keptoz, gina is our research guru, but I think the latest data say that ra pts

have a higher risk of cancer likely bc of the disease rAther than becUase of

treatment. I'm an enbrel junkie. My sis has lymphoma and I'm not giving it up.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 13, 2009, at 6:25 PM, Sue Plaster <marysue@...> wrote:

When I was given the choice between Enbrel and Humira, I chose Enbrel.

It works very well for me; my RA is under great control. I'm also

lucky enough not to get infections often. I have no adverse side

effects, in fact.

I choose to stick with the 25mg. twice weekly Enbrel. It has no

preservatives because you mix it yourself. I tried the once weekly,

and it didn't seem to last as well for me. I inject into my stomach,

and it does not hurt.

Whatever you choose, I hope that you have the same success that I have.

Sue

On Jan 13, 2009, at 4:51 PM, keptoz wrote:

>

> I figure this was the place to get the " real " scoop - not just what's

> in the pamphlets. My Dr recommends Enbrel over Humira from a risk (of

> infection & cancer) standpoint. To say I am beyond terrified is an

> understatement as I was at the terrified state just trying Plaquenil.

> She is giving me up to 2 months (when I have my next appointment) to

> make a decision & go get tested for TB if I decide to forge on...

[Guest guest]

and group;

I am on humira the pen. To keep it from stinging I heard to let it

warm up for about an hour. It worked great that way for me. I like

the pen cause there is no fuss an it does the work for ya. Good

luck.

hugs

Clora

***************************************************

> Well I don't know why, but I really was never expecting it to get to

> this - yes, major denial going on here... but after being

unsuccessful

> with NSAIDS, plaquenil, sulfasalizine & only semi-successful with

> prednisone & MTX, my Rheumy sent me home today with pamphlets to

look

> over regarding Enbrel & Humira (to add to my weekly MTX).

>

> I figure this was the place to get the " real " scoop - not just

what's

> in the pamphlets. My Dr recommends Enbrel over Humira from a risk

(of

> infection & cancer) standpoint. To say I am beyond terrified is an

> understatement as I was at the terrified state just trying

Plaquenil.

> She is giving me up to 2 months (when I have my next appointment) to

> make a decision & go get tested for TB if I decide to forge on...

>

>

> I'd appreciate any info form your own experience - ease of using the

> pen or needle, side effects, effectiveness, etc, etc, etc,

>

> Thank you!!!

> xoxo

>

>

[Guest guest]

and group;

What I mean by warm up, take out of fridge for an hour than inject

your self.

Clora

**************************************************************

>

> and group;

>

> I am on humira the pen. To keep it from stinging I heard to let it

> warm up for about an hour. It worked great that way for me. I

like

> the pen cause there is no fuss an it does the work for ya. Good

> luck.

>

> hugs

> Clora

>

> ***************************************************

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I've been on Humira, every other week, for 2 months now. I am also on

Arava (too many side FX with MTX and sulfasalzine and I can't take

prednisone).

I have had a lifelong phobia of needles and getting to this point was

THE most terrifying thing for me. I was supposed to get the pen but

the pharmacy messed up and gave me syringes. So I tried it. You know

what? It hasn't been that bad. The worse part is my own phobia. As

long as I let the syringe warm up at room temp for 30 minutes or so,

no real pain to speak of...some stinging but nothing I can't live with.

I think I'm seeing some improvement with the Humira although my SED

rate hasn't changed very much. We're going to give it another 3 months

and then look at it again if necessary.

I've been terrified of every new step along this journey. All the

warnings of side effects and such are definitely scary. But, so far so

good. I've improved - maybe not as much as we'd like - but I AM

better. I don't have any nasty side effects from the Humira.

I wish you luck with your decision!

Kim

>

> Well I don't know why, but I really was never expecting it to get to

> this - yes, major denial going on here... but after being unsuccessful

> with NSAIDS, plaquenil, sulfasalizine & only semi-successful with

> prednisone & MTX, my Rheumy sent me home today with pamphlets to look

> over regarding Enbrel & Humira (to add to my weekly MTX).

>

> I figure this was the place to get the " real " scoop - not just what's

> in the pamphlets. My Dr recommends Enbrel over Humira from a risk (of

> infection & cancer) standpoint. To say I am beyond terrified is an

> understatement as I was at the terrified state just trying Plaquenil.

> She is giving me up to 2 months (when I have my next appointment) to

> make a decision & go get tested for TB if I decide to forge on...

>

>

> I'd appreciate any info form your own experience - ease of using the

> pen or needle, side effects, effectiveness, etc, etc, etc,

>

> Thank you!!!

> xoxo

>

>