Hi all. I am new to this site. I am generally looking for some support. I was officially diagnosed with psa in September 2012. I was put on methotrexate but I got severe pneumonia and my hair was falling out in chunks. I have been on Celebrex, with no help. I had a huge flare up last summer with my arthritis to the point I could not walk with out sever pain and tears. I was great all winter and then the summer showed up. I caught fifths disease from my daughter which threw me into a flare up. I have been on prednisone for roughly three months. On top of my arthritis my psoriasis that used to be contained to my scalp and a quarter size patch on my back is every where! My dr has wanted me on humira for the past six months but I kept putting it off. I was managing with naproxen. My rheumatologist isn’t a medication pusher. She really goes with how I Am feeling but she isn’t messing around any more and what was just my funds feet and one knee is almost every joint besides my neck and back.
Any how. I would really appreciate all of the humira stories I could get. The good the bad and the ugly. Thank you so much all. I am looking forward to being able to speak to people who can relate to me. I am the only one in my family dealing with this.
I don’t have any Humira stories for you, I have only just given in and started MTX myself. I did want to say hang in there. The folks on here are great and will be along soon with some input. They’ve helped me tons
I suspect compared to what you have been through with meds, you will find this a walk in the park. There few if any side effects with the biologicals except an occasional site reaction. The worst is the waiting for it to kick-in. You can find plenty of stories, and for the most part that is what they are. There seems to be a huge hysteria about these meds invented and propogated by drama queens and kings. For bettet than 98% of all users its a nonevent (except the relief.) Remember most people don't report good experiences. Its sad that people put off or fesr treatment as a result.
You have by now learned there is a great deal to fear from the disease and it can happen quickly. There are better days ahead -for sure. Good luck
I have been on Humira for the last 11 months and have had pretty good results. Initially, the worst part was the "drag" you feel while your body is adjusting. This subsided after a couple months. I found relief after about 6 weeks, but I was previously on Enbrel for the year before. Like you, I had a HUGE psoriasis flare where my whole body was covered. The Enbrel cleared my psoriasis in total, except for a small patch on one elbow that to this day is still there. However, Enbrel did nothing for my joints so my Rheumatologist switched me to Humira. Humira helped my joints tremendously compared to Enbrel. I have recently started breaking out in psoriasis again on my scalp and legs. I'm hoping this will go away (crossing my fingers!!).
As far as side effects go, everyone is different. I'm sure after researching the drug, you were scared out of your mind that you're going to get a lung infection or lymphoma. I know quite a few people on Humira and I have yet to hear from anyone that has had any of the scary side effects. But that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. To me, I felt the odds were in my favor and the risk is worth the relief and slowing the degeneration. After taking Humira for 2 months, I was finally able to get up and down my stairs. I hadn't been able to do that for a year. I can't speak for anyone else though, we're all different and in different stages of this disease.
Wishing you the best of luck and hope you're feeling better real soon.
I haven't used a biologic yet. I just wanted to express that I feel your pain. My kids shared fifth disease with me a few years ago, and I had a massive flare after.
I also was on MTX and I also got a pneumonia, it happens. But I was also able to go back to yoga and dust my surboard. :) I started Humira in August, today I am going to have my 4th injection Nothing so far, it is early, I am taking deep breaths and working with painkillers, I have been flaring up for weeks now. My non medical and inexpert opinion, based only in my experience is that you need bigger guns than Naproxen to deal with this baby. Granted, biologic drugs can have sideffects (way less than with MTX) but the benefits seem to be worth. Hang in there, you'll see how things will get better soon :)
I have been on humira for about a year now. I love it! It has made things so much better for me. My psoriasis completely cleared and I can now walk without braces on with my arthritis.My only complaint is that i do get sick easier now. I tend to get strep throat and have to receive antibiotics (when you get on an antibiotic you are suppose to postpone your humira injection until finished with the antibiotics) so that is my only issue. I am looking for something now on top of humira so I can exercise more but the humira truly has helped! I suggest giving it a try! If you do look into humira assist plan. It makes your copays only $5!
Welcome, Lluvmee! :) My husband administers my shot every other Tuesday morning. I am happy to say that this is the Tuesday! :) I have fingertip psoriasis and pustular psoriasis. My feet were horrible, especially the heels, they were always cracked and bleeding. Most Dr.s, even my Rheumy, thought my feet "needed more moisturizer." I was terrified when I got my first injection. I've been on Humira for 6 months. I can work the clasp on a necklace without my fingernail pulling away from the nailbed; they actually look normal. No psoriasis anywhere. My feet, for the first time in 15 years and considering what they looked like before, are absolutely beautiful. Vaseline saw a remarkable drop in sales. ;) I transitioned smoothly into the shot without any adverse effects. Just like Lamb said, a non-event. The only time I don't feel well is in the latter half of the second week, then I start looking forward to the shot. The only reason my husband gives the shot; I can't grip the syringe. No matter what Lamb says about that! My hand went from not being able to use it at all, to a loose fist. For me, a great improvement. This is a great site. I have appreciated all the feedback I have gotten here, as well as the people that give it. I hope this helps and that Humira will work for you, too.
Thank you all so much for your feed back. I really appreciate it more then you know. As most of you guessed I did read all over the internet and it had me scared sh*tless to say the least. Super happy to have found this site and be able to discuss this with those who understand!
I had my first Humira shot on Friday after 6 months or so of Enbrel. I didn't experience any side effects from Enbrel and felt nothing peculiar after the Humira shot. I know _something_ is happening as my psoriasis (which, like you is usually just on my scalp but had begun to migrate) cleared up over the weekend. Just waiting to feel it kick in on my joints. Good luck!
Hi and Welcome ! :) Many of us here are still struggling to find what meds work. It seems something different works for everyone. I was also diagnosed in fall 2012 but have had PsA for about 5 years. My first Rheumy never bothered to diagnose me. In turn, I am now having a rough time.
I am sure you'll find the support you need here. I know it's helped me a lot.
I gave myself my first shot yesterday. It did not hurt nearly as bad as I thought it would and my injection site is fine!!! Hoping that this is finally the medication to put me in remission. Fingers crossed!!!
I was on Enbrel for about 6 months, and it was working beys tidily until my intestines chimed in to the autoimmune thing - so I switched to Humira.
I found Humira slower to kick in than Enbrel (4 injections till great improvement - almost remission for joints, 8 for tummy), but it works so effectively and I feel very grateful for the opportunity to have it - I am so glad I didn’t have to deal with this 50 years ago with the options they had then!. I’ve never had a site reaction to Humira, though I had an upset tummy the day after ( which has been lessening and I don’t notice much anymore).
My immune system was so defective before biologics that I was getting very sick at the drop of a hat. Since, my immune system generally works better and I’ve had no infection issues. My company’s main sites are in third world Africa, and I vist them 3 or 4 times a year. I’ve taken my Enbrel across a few times, and I plan to take my Humira over in November for the next trip.
