Next week (9/10) I will participate in a clinical trial, double-blind study that compares 80mg dosing of Humira, once/month VS. normal 40mg dosing every 2 weeks or a placebo dose. I've never been on Humira, so I'm hoping for some improvements in slowing the progression of this disease and reduction of pain without too much of the potential negative side-effects of the drug. The study lasts for 24 weeks and I'm guaranteed to get a real dose (if I receive a placebo for the first 1/2 of the test) for at least 12 weeks during the trial; in addition, all the medication and doctor visits during this trial will be paid for by Humira! This is good for me as I'm now paying out of pocket (no health insurance) until I can apply for Medicare (2 year wait after SDI approval!)
Incidently, for those of you that don't know Humira does have a financial assistance program (without submitting to a clinical trial) that you can apply for (income qualified) and get the drug for free! I'm hoping my liver can take this drug without problems with elevated enzyme counts which occurred for me when I was taking Mx. Please pray for positive results for me and others in this trial. Hopefully, they will find no disadvantages for a single dosing each month instead of the currently approved bi-weekly dosage.
Anyone else participating in this trial or presently taking Humira, please give me your feedback (positive or negative) about your experiences with this drug.
God Bless,
Bret
Hi Bret.....
I do take humira and have been taking it for almost 2years.....I also take metho along with the humira....and other drugs for the RA. I have severe RA now and for some odd reason it is just getting worst. However when I did take humira twice a month it did work well for me. I was able to maintain a very normal life and I believe exercising was very important part of helping ease alot of the RA. The RA has gotten worst in the past year and not seeming to get better so they have me taking the humira now every week. So I kinda feel I'm in somewhat of a test trial. I forgot to mention though that I have had RA for over 15 years and has just recently took a turn for the worst. I know that they will come up with something new that is bigger and better...I'll just have to wait. But so you know I did have very good results with the humira....hope you do too.
Best of luck
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your kind words of encouragement.
I hope your RA symptoms have eased up and you're feeling better since you wrote. I have a few questions for you about your experiences with Humira.
How do you feel the day after your injections? Are you more/less fatigued physically or mentally than normal on those days? Have you had any problems with upper respitory (or other) infections since taking Humira? Are you taking 40mg/week of Humira now, instead of every other week?
At my doctor's request, I have stopped taking all my DMRD meds (sulfasalazine, palaquenal) to get ready for the clinical trial that begins next month. I'm only taking prednisone and advil as needed for pain and swelling. It's been about 2 weeks now (off meds) and I don't seem to feel any worse/better than when I was taking them. I still have good and bad days like before. I would rather take just Humira if its as effective (hopefully better). Unfortunately, I can't take Mx because it is too hard on my liver (enzyme counts get too high). My main concern taking this drug is that it will supress my immune system too much and increase my chances for respitory infections. Currently, with the exception of RA, I'm very healthy and rarely get sick (even colds). I can always get off the trail if things get worse for me on this drug. Hopefully, it will work magic for me and I can get back to work and do the things I enjoy: hiking, biking, kayaking, etc- just in time for the nice Fall weather down here!
I appreciate your fellowship and support sister.
Regards,
Bret