Anyone else on Humira only with long term results? January 2010 was finally put on Humira plus Methotrexate.
Weaned myself off Methotrexate (Dr. did comment that Humira may not work as well without Metho)
Been Humira Only for almost two years now, but thinking that PsA is progressing and/or Humira effectiveness is wearing thin these days.
i.e. Used to be able to go every third week between 40mg Humira Inejection, but recently even strict bi-weekly injections don't seem to be doing the job it used to do.
Have been on Enbrel only for over 3 years. about three months ago the discussion started that I'd have to change. Went back to MTX and am happy with Enbrel again. She would not give me Humira without it as the numbers are way different in terms of not only length of time the drug sticks with you but how effective it is. As much as none of us want to think about it I'm afraid MTX is going to be a part of our biological lives. The prescribing protocols are changing and adapting. The good news is while they are developing some pretty cool Biologicals, they are also coming up with some new DMARDS too...........
Glad I found this site and group... Talking to people who understand... = refreshing.
While my family understands that I have been Dx with PsA and they know I'm on meds to control... I can't really have dialog with them as they just don't understand what I'm feeling and going through on a daily basis. I feel like I'm complaining and the last thing I want to do is to complain about PsA. (It is what it is... Suck it up and deal with it in my book.)
My Dr. said when I wanted off MTX that she wasn't sure how effective Humira would be without it. Basically saying if it works, great, if not, we'll get you back on the combo Humira / MTX.
I still really, really don't want to be on MTX (I enjoy a cocktail or two) but if my symptoms continue to increase (Hand/Finger Joint swelling and pain) I'll have to make the move back.
What's your docs ruling on the cocktail or two? Its all over the board with some. Mine doesn't care (other than the fact she's a Baptist, and there was a childhood incident or two - hers) She is moving at the end of the month for missionary term and her fill fill in says what ever I was drinking before is just fine,..........
The arthritis association says 10 units a week depending on which calculator you use, that more than enough......
You may be developing resistance to the Humira. The problem with biologics is some people have great results that suddenly or slowly disappear. Then it is time to try a new med.
For example, when Enbrel came out it put me in remission for 2.5 years. Then slowly lost effectiveness and I had to switch biologics. This has happened to me several times over the past 11 years.
Thats a shame. Most do really well with MTX after a few months. Most of the other Biologicals are now tested WITH MTX. I unfortunately was not one of the fortunate ones. It took nearly 8 mos to get to where I could take it (the first time)
First we determine the pills would not work, so injectable, then we learned until we went to deep muscle injections the site reactions were extreme (the first time the 2" needle came out I almost fainted - now I shoot it while drinking my coffee) Then it was month or so learning WHEN to take it. based on the course of the reactions so it would least disrupt our lives. Ours is pretty complicated I have a demanding career a lot of outside demands (deadlines speaking etc) On my grand daughter is out of school etc and our support specialists don't work weekends and its been really hard to find someone who can deal with her needs. But we finally found a time (not just a day) to shoot that has the least effect with the inevitable 8 -12 hours of fatigue that comes a day or so after injection. Baring late meetings or home problems. I sleep through the worst of it. Then the next few months after that were spent slowly building the dose up to therapeutic levels while staying just on the edge of tolerance. and of course getting the right amount of folic acid. When I had to back on I was terrified, we would have to start over. We didn't instead picked up right where we left off.
We as patients have trouble understanding just where our disease is at either overestimating or seriously underestimating it. we do the same thing along with our docs of understanding the treatment. These are serious heavy duty drugs. They are not like popping a couple of tylenol for headache and waiting for results. These drugs modify how our entire body works. It isn't as simple as reading the instructions. It is extremely rare except in the case of allergic reaction they can't be made to be tolerated (working is another matter, but I suspect given some work a lot more "fails" could move over to the other column)
Lovemydogs said:
I'm glad to hear mtx works with and for you. But I have to say that mtx will not be part of my life...I'll use other meds instead. My derm is beside himself that I didn't do weel with mtx...but I can't deny the really bad side effects I experienced.
She's anti alcohol... Struck the fear into me type of talk, yet my own research did suggest that moderate alcohol consumption would be tolerated. So I would have a drink here or there. The thought of not having a beer... yiikes
tntlamb said:
What's your docs ruling on the cocktail or two? Its all over the board with some. Mine doesn't care (other than the fact she's a Baptist, and there was a childhood incident or two - hers) She is moving at the end of the month for missionary term and her fill fill in says what ever I was drinking before is just fine,..........
The arthritis association says 10 units a week depending on which calculator you use, that more than enough......
That's what I'm thinking... Maybe an every 10 day injection rather than 2 weeks or something like that. Will need to talk to her next time about it. I'm not in enough discomfort at this moment to try to get in earlier then my scheduled 6 month return.
Lovemydogs said:
I have to take humira weekly to keep symptoms at bay. It helps with the PsA but not my psoriasis. does your dr not feel you can take it weekly?