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humira newbie

Posted , 8 users are following.

snowycat
snowycat

Hi

I've been on methotrexate for over 4 years and now my fantastic rheumatologist is applying for me to start humira injection bi weekly. I've had blood test and chest xray re tb and guessing I'll start in 4 weeks.

I'm cool with learning to inject myself and home care UK come teach me Anyhow. I'm used to blood tests and am a positive person although very inactive at the moment so I'm hoping for more energy and less pain. I'm on 25mg mtx 3g of sulfazaline as well as a few others including etoricoxib inflam pill. I have PsA and I guess my rheumy is trying to head rheumy arthritis away.

I'd love your thoughts on the humira and pricking myself!

Thanks. I'm 45 BTW.

Happy Easter xx

0 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • bob_2020
    bob_2020 snowycat

    Posted

    Hi snowycat have u had chest xrays from being on methotrexate ihad to stop sulfazaline side effects were to bad to continue and the MTX is just keeping my RA at bay thats all
    • kim94523
      kim94523 bob_2020

      Posted

      Hey Bob, Humira is an immunosuppressive drug so you have to have a chest x ray to test for TB. And you'll. prob be vaccinated for many things, as well. I start Humiera in 2weeks and am going thru the same tests and inoculations. I have RA (newly dx) and have not been on anything else. 

      My my friend who has RA and has done incredibly well on Humiera, says the "pen" which pumps the drug kind of hurts but if you get someone to "squish" the fat of your thigh between their hand so it is raised up, it helps.

      i have also read the syringe is less painful but you have to be confortable with seeing needles and depressing plungers. Personally, I would rather do the needle. I have had enough IV s in my life and had enough blood draws not to be scared go needles and I dislike the idea of having to hold still while something "hammers"/pumps. I like to be in control but that's me. Also, I don't hav help for the fat squishing part. smile

      good luck and keep us posted!

  • cheria
    cheria snowycat

    Posted

    Humira and the other biologics did not help me. I tried all of them and my pain was increased for some reason. Im guessing bec there are many kinds of RA, with some induced by different factors or underlying infections, allergies, food intolerances such as gluten and dairy, in which biologics are not the answer. Sometimes the problem is with unmanaged gut bacteria that becomes system..with prev dentsl work such as root canals or current dental bacteria problems entering the bloodstream. Biologics are not for everyone, but doctors like to try introducing them. I have been pretty much suststained on plaquenil with an average of one flair/year. I do have the RA negative factor. For fibromyalgia body pain that hurts all over, magnesium glycinate, calcium with d3, and a good multivitamin while watching out for inflammatory causing foods and an average of 10 to 11 hrs nightly has kept this in remission for 4+ yrs.
  • cheria
    cheria snowycat

    Posted

    When i did use the humira pen, it was fast and easy..sometimes a little quick sting but nothing to hurtful..if i didnt want to feel anything i just iced the area i was going to inject..the lower fatty part of my stomach felt better than in my leg..its not hard to do at all..i would never want to use a needle with syringe and have the liquid go in slowly..ive read there is a longer lasting sting and more of a procedure with this one..the pen is so fast and easy. I had a few misfire and not inject but i just called the 1 800 humira number and was sent another overnite.. I hope they help you.
  • tammierick
    tammierick snowycat

    Posted

    I was on humira and loved it. Took away fatigue and eased the pain and stiffness. Went off of it because of infection. I did the prefilled syringes and injected into my thigh. A little pain but not bad. I iced the area. I then went on enbrel and tried the pen auto injector. Never again will i use the pen version it was to painful. I am a nurse and never really thought i would ever b injecting myself but i wanted a little more control over how fast the med went in. For me i do prefilled syringes all the way. I am now on orencia using prefilled syringes and it is a breeze injecting into my abdomen. Good luck
    • cheria
      cheria kim94523

      Posted

      I forgot to mention, I am an r.n. as well and liked the pen over the syringe bec the syringe was a slower burn where the pen was fast..just be prepared for the snap sound when releasing the pen :-)
  • Light
    Light snowycat

    Posted

    This stuff about self injecting with pens is very interesting.

    I have just started a series of biologics called Rituximab... but no self-injecting there!

    It's an infusion, twice over three weeks, and takes five hours in hospital day care while it drips in. Boring! And boy do those nurses like to chatter. No way of getting a kip while lying there!

    I'd love a pen where i can do it myself in a snap!

    I self-inject B12 and used to inject MTX and have no problem sticking a needle in my thigh.

    How often do you have to inject the Humira and over how long?

    • tammierick
      tammierick Light

      Posted

      Humira is typically injected every other week but i know some doctors will do the every week. Yes i was asked to do infusions but didnt want the hassle as i am still working 40 hours a week so i am trying to keep on the injections as long as possible. I believe u can be on the injections as long as they r working and no issues with labs. Good luck
    • cheria
      cheria Light

      Posted

      My doctor wanted to try this infusion because none of the other biologics worked..but the truth was none of them were working and this infusion you are doing now has the highest of all risks for cancer..mainly lymphoma..of all the studies and forums I've read, this infusion was what caused the deadly lymphoma in RA patients. One thing I found that was contributing to the pain and high inflammation rates was previous dental work..poor extractions, root canals etc and current dental issues. Bacteria is trapped in pockets near the roots causing systemic bacteria for some people..another reason is poor colon health, food sensitivities like gluten and dairy and sugar, poor rest, stress induced lifestyle, and lack of magnesium glycjnate which is what took 100% of my fibromyalga pain away. The only way a doctor can presc injections Wkly is if you have a secondary condition that allows for Wkly injections. RA akine qualifies for only biweekly injections.
    • snowycat
      snowycat Light

      Posted

      Hi LIght, thanks for your note.

      I understand I will be every 2 weeks and my rhuemy lady says forever!

      I am ok with needles, just remember to chill the dose!

      I didnt move to MTX injection as they said I am too young!

      Take care

    • Light
      Light cheria

      Posted

      Thanks so much for all this info. I will be seeing my rheumy again in a couple of weeks, so I'll ask him about that cancer risk. Too late for the present infusion, anyway.

      What does this mean exactly: "RA akine qualifies for only biweekly injections". What's RA akine?

    • cheria
      cheria Light

      Posted

      Hi, the 'akine' was an error..so sorry.. Using my phone to respond and errors are higher! Your doctor may tell you the risks for cancer in the infusion treatment he's giving you, are no different than the other biologics but my research shows very differently..if you go to the forums regarding this infusion biologic and cancer, most people will give their drug histories showing the infusion biologic was the cause if their cancer or loved ones death..be really proactive in your healthcare as doctors are trained and more concerned about relieving symptoms, saying it is about "quality of life".. but when we can have quantity as well, we should not just be led by the treating doctors.. I was told I would never be off from them..have gotten off them almost 4 yrs now. Yes, I do have the RA negative factor. So important to do your own research.
    • Light
      Light cheria

      Posted

      Yes, I'm sure you're right. Having been so thorough at the start of my illness in researching every damned thing, over the years I got lazy.

      He may, as you say deny it - he may even not know about it – but I shall ask him anyway. We have a good honest rapport.

      And if this page is anything to go by, I can try Humira next time!

    • cheria
      cheria Light

      Posted

      I can promise you, doctors are very aware of the cancerous (lympoma) risks of the biologics .. but may not be up to date on the even higher risk of the biologic infusion you have just begun.
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