I am trying very hard not to freak out right now. They was myy to start on Humira injections. Not exactly sure why, though could be a combination of the shot, the immune side effects and she made it sound pretty intense.
If anyone here uses it, I could some calming words and knowledge
So what happened?
tntlamb said:
So what happened?
Bad reaction to the other meds and symptoms are getting worse
Hi, Robyn. I am currently on Humira. What would you like to know?
I am concerned about the side effects, especially what it does to the immune system. Does it help you?
I've found the biologics (Humira, Enbrel, etc) to have fewer side effects than any other meds I've been on. I've had PsA for 32 years, and been on one or another of the biologics continually for 12 years. I get sick no more than most people (barring a couple of years when my kids were young and they, and I, caught every single thing going around).
What you really want to hear is that it will be ok. Barring something EXTREMELY RARE, you will be fine. The worst that will happen is it will do nothing, making you wonder why you are injecting what seems to be expensive saline, as far as your body is concerned :) If that happens, you move on to another one.
Fear the disease, not the meds, as we say here.
Yes, I think that is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you
It does help me. I was very scared the day I got my first shot. I was so paranoid that something bad was going to happen to me that day that I gave my children instructions to call 911 should I have a reaction. Now I look forward to the day, every other Tuesday, that I get the shot. :) My finger and toe nails look normal, they are no longer coming away from the nail bed. I had psoriasis on the soles of my feet, little patches on my hands and elbows, all gone now. Erythema nodosum on my right shin, swollen ankles and knees, I could go on forever. I also had a very high SED rate and for the first time in many years, it is now normal. Some changes happened, for me, within a couple of months, other changes were more gradual. I think I am coming up on my one year anniversary with Humira. I haven't noticed that I get sick more often, but I am very particular about making sure that my friends and family let me know if they are sick so I can decide if I want to be around them or not. I did get the flu this year even though I had gotten my flu shot, but my whole family got it first, I was the last. My rheumy told me to skip the shot, but I already had taken it 2 days prior to feeling sick. The antiviral that was prescribed made me more nauseous than anything I had ever taken for my PsA. I think the mantra around here is "fear the disease, not the meds". I hope this helps.
Thank you, now I just need to hope my insurance covers it
Robyn, all the biologics have a copay assistance program. They often pay all of the copay, or just have you pay $5 or something like that. Your dr. should give you a pamphlet for it with a card and code in it. If not, go to the medication website, and they will have a number to call.
I wouldn't have known about this except for people here telling me about it!
Glad my response helped a bit, I know it's scary, especially if you've been healthy most of your life.
Robyn said:
Thank you, now I just need to hope my insurance covers it
Robyn,
I was on weekly dosing of Humira and have done 100 plus injections without any issues, no infection or side effects. These days I look forward to my biologic injection because I know without question that it brings relief. As many around here are found of saying, fear the illness not the meds. I hope humira brings you much relief ;)
I just started Humira on Monday the rheumy showed me how to give myself the injection I was panicky all night. I start thinking of all the side effects reading this made me feel better. I have to say I feel nothing like when I took the MTX injection I was exhausted.
Well I appreciate being able to come here for support.
Carol
I just started Humira on Monday the rheumy showed me how to give myself the injection I was panicky all night. I starts thinking of all the side effects reading this made me feel better. I have to say I feel nothing like when I took the MTX injection I was exhausted.
Well I appreciate being able to come here for support.
Carol