Humira Questions

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

 

Like you, there are only a few days of the year that are truly " bad " days for

me, in which my hip and joint pain is truly painful.  Most of the time, other

then a few tender twinges or stiffness, I'm doing pretty darn good, and I

haven't had an iritis flare in years.  Because of that, I haven't been taking

any anti-inflammatories at all for the past year.  I'll just take a painkiller

to get me through the " bad " days, knowing it'll subside in a day or two anyway. 

Seems little point for me to take any medication chronically when I don't have

chronic symptoms.  It has also been my experience that the side effects of most

anti-inflammatories I've taken long-term have been worse then the disease

anyway.

 

In my humble opinion, based on the symptoms you describe, I don't think I'd take

the Humira.  If you are like me, in a few days, the pain might go away on it's

own, and you'll be back to feeling fine again.  But the decision is entirely

yours.  In the end, you have to weigh the benefits and risks, and figure out

what's best for your body.  Good luck.

 

From: ISeekStars <mjwehner@...>

Subject: HUMIRA Questions

Date: Monday, July 21, 2008, 11:22 PM

Hi all.

I have Reiters, HLA-B27 positive, multiple cases of Ititis, ankylosing

spondylitis, avascular necrosis of the hip, acid reflux (not sure it

is related) and once in a while a few other things. BUT, all in all,

I'm doing GREAT! I get iritis for a month or so, once a year or two

on average, and really bad hip pain for a few days once every 6-12

months, but that is about it. The rest of the time I'm fine.

This weekend was one of my hip pain episodes, and I went to my

rheumatologist today. He suggested starting Humira. When I have some

hip pain, I have been taking Indomethacin, 50 mg, which helps it if is

not too bad.

I've been reading up on Humira, and I'm not sure if it right for me.

For one thing, seems like a lot of folks don't like it - reactions of

various sorts or it just doesn't work. And, for those that do, it

seems to run out of poop in somewhere from 6 months to several years.

For me, given that my symptoms are many months apart, I'm not sure if

I will benefit like folks with day-to-day chronic problems.

Does anyone have experience with Humira? Thoughts on the impact to

me? Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I have used Humira with excellent results and no side effects. I too am HLA-B27

positive and have been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis. I never had Ititis

but I have had ongoing tendonitis in my feet, hands, knees and back pain off and

on since about the age of 27 (I am now 49). I have also had colitis-like

symptoms for a while. I started taking Humira in April and I felt better within

24 hrs!!!!. After my 2nd injection I have been pain free. After taking 5

injections I stopped taking the Humira and I have remained 100% pain free. I do

not plan on taking the Humira again until I have another flare-up but I am

confident that if will do the trick again when that time comes (and it always

does after a few years). I would strongly recommend it, it has worked wonders

for me.

Harry

[Guest guest]

,

If Indomethacin is working on your flare-ups, it doesn't sound like

you'd need something as heavy-duty as Humira...

I took Humira and ended up with a gastrointestinal infection so bad I

was in the hospital for nearly a month (I was so sick I didn't notice

if my joints felt any better or not). Humira kills your immune system

and so it makes it harder to get better when you do get sick. After the

hospital stint, they immediately took me off Humira.

~

[Guest guest]

Hi and this is my first post! My name is Sandy and I'm 55 years old.

First diagnosed with RA September 2008. Acute attack in right wrist

and one finger left hand. Never had specific RA symptoms before that

and there is not one case in any of my family near or far. Needless to

say, but I will, I was shocked! Treated with Prednisone and

Methotrexate. The MTX doses have been increased to 10X 2.5 mg tabs per

week with very little if any improvement. I've seen three

rheumatologists, just to compare notes and get second opinions. All

concur with diagnosis. Tomorrow, I begin Humira. What can any of you

tell me about using the Humira pen? Any feedback will help. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I just started the humira I can tell you one thing it burns like hell, worse

than the enbrel, but I could tell the difference after the first shot

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of sgp2525

Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 11:13 PM

Subject: [ ] Humira Questions

Hi and this is my first post! My name is Sandy and I'm 55 years old.

First diagnosed with RA September 2008. Acute attack in right wrist

and one finger left hand. Never had specific RA symptoms before that

and there is not one case in any of my family near or far. Needless to

say, but I will, I was shocked! Treated with Prednisone and

Methotrexate. The MTX doses have been increased to 10X 2.5 mg tabs per

week with very little if any improvement. I've seen three

rheumatologists, just to compare notes and get second opinions. All

concur with diagnosis. Tomorrow, I begin Humira. What can any of you

tell me about using the Humira pen? Any feedback will help. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

I inject Humira weekly and it has changed my life for the better 1,000%.

From personal experience, ALWAYS check your pen as indicated in the pamphlet. I

have had one defective pen and a pen misfire on me in the past 2 months. For

this reason, I will never allow myself to have only one pen here. I now have it

worked out to always keep 2 in my fridge as spares at all times.....

Suggestion: Take Humira pen out of refrigerator and let sit to chill off for

15-30 minutes. Make sure you allow the alcohol to dry a bit before injecting.

Remember that you must continually press down on the plum colored button to

inject. It makes a loud click . Try not to let it scare you!

If you have any specific questions, please email me direct.

©x© Kami ©x©

[ ] Humira Questions

Hi and this is my first post! My name is Sandy and I'm 55 years old.

First diagnosed with RA September 2008. Acute attack in right wrist

and one finger left hand. Never had specific RA symptoms before that

and there is not one case in any of my family near or far. Needless to

say, but I will, I was shocked! Treated with Prednisone and

Methotrexate. The MTX doses have been increased to 10X 2.5 mg tabs per

week with very little if any improvement. I've seen three

rheumatologists, just to compare notes and get second opinions. All

concur with diagnosis. Tomorrow, I begin Humira. What can any of you

tell me about using the Humira pen? Any feedback will help. Thanks!

[Guest guest]

Re: [ ] Re:Humira Questions

I am a pen user and a needlephobe... If I had to use the syringe, I

would be a nervous wreck and probably pass out. I never see the needle

in the pen therefore I have had no problems.

I always inject into my leg. Question: When you were taught how to

inject, did she grab the skin as shown in the booklet to make sure you

get a good layer of fat? If not, that may help.

I have never injected into my stomach area and may try that

tomorrow.....

CxC Kami CxC

[ ] Re:Humira Questions

Regarding Humira, THANKS! for all the posts. I am very interested in

all your experiences with MTX, Humira, Predinisone, etc. Specifically,

the comparison of the PEN to the SYRINGE. My doctor didn't offer me an

option and began the PEN with the Humira. Like I said, very painful

in the thigh. (NOT complaining, if it helps!) However, a couple of you

said that using the syringe and injecting in the tummy was more

comfortable. Do you do your own injections? Did you have any problem

overcoming the " needle " fear? " I wonder if I could stick myself. If

it would be more comfortable, I might give it a try. I still have one

PEN left but I guess could try the syringe, right?