Questions for everyone taking Humira

By BretN Tuesday, September 23, 2008

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Hello to all my RA brothers and sisters in the valleys and on the hilltops fighting this disease.

I'm about to begin a clinical trial taking Humira (October 1) and would like any feedback and experiences (good /bad) from anyone who has been taking Humira for at least 6 weeks or longer.

How do you feel the day after your injections? How many of you use the self injection pens? Are you more/less fatigued physically or mentally than normal on those days? Have you had any problems with upper respitory, injection site (or other) infections since taking Humira?

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 (still have good and sore 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 drop out of the trail if things get worse for me on this drug. Hopefully, I will not be one of the placebo patients (double blind study) in this clinical trial. If so for the first 12 weeks, I'm at least guaranteed to get the real thing on the last 12 weeks of the trial. Hopefully it will work magic for me and I can get back to work and doing the things I enjoy: hiking, biking, kayaking, etc- just in time for the nice Fall weather down here!

I appreciate all your fellowship and support.

Regards,

Bret

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Comments (3) | Add comment

jane

9/24/08 4:29pm

I took humira for quite awhile but it didn't work for me so I moved on to rituxan. But, my experience with humira was good. The injections were really easy. You just ice the area you are going to inject and I would suggest the stomach over the thigh. Leave the syringe out to warm for 30 minutes and then it's just a matter of clicking the pen. I did not find it stressful or painful at all. There would be a bit of stinging but not a big deal at all. I have read of so many people who have had great results with humira so I hope that you are another one. Best of luck. Jane

redpixie33

11/ 2/08 9:12am

I have been on Humira for almost a year. I was diagnosed a year and a half ago. I was first put on Mexotrethate, but had a respitory reaction, so they put me on Humira. So far it has been working ok for me. The injections are not that bad with the quick pen. I have had no side effects other than a strange metal taste in my mouth following the shot. I have not suffered from any fatigue (other than what the disease itself produces).

I began this journey with what I thought was a virus, which quickly (long story short) turned into RA. I was at a point early on where I was basically crippled, couldn't walk, talk or function. Humira has given me my life back (to what I call the new normal). I can function, work, basically maintain a decent life. Not everyone will react the same. But I am content with this drug.

I wish you well and hope this part of your journey is successfull!

Red

Sharte

1/ 7/09 2:06am

Hi. I have been on Hunira for 3 months now. I have no injestion site problem, I use the pen tupe, and i try to ice pack the spot before i INJECT IT, AND also take it out of the fridge for 15 min before injecting. Its so painful going in I cant do it myself, so I have any one home do it, I lay on the bed while its injected and the burning sensation of the med going on had me bawling for 15 min minimum. I am tired the first 2 days , and have weird sharp pains in different joints. I am also on palquenil, stopped sulfasalazine, and do methotrexate injestions weekly as well. My fatigue has not seemed to have lifed, but alot of pain has subsided, and joint swelling is better. I have upper sinus infection and have for 3 weeks now. Doesnt seem to be going away. Anyway that my experience so far. Hope it works for you, and setles out for me. Shan

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