Thanks Rachael! I told my husband I think there would be an immediate placebo effect after the first injection! I just want to feel better :-/
Just gave myself the first injection of Humira! I got the dr to give me a free one from the office so I could get started and not have to wait 2-3 more days for pharmacy to get it. I had forgotten the burn of biologics–but I know it is SO worth it! So ready to get out of this flare and feel “normal” again!
Excellent!
Zinnia said:
Just gave myself the first injection of Humira! I got the dr to give me a free one from the office so I could get started and not have to wait 2-3 more days for pharmacy to get it. I had forgotten the burn of biologics–but I know it is SO worth it! So ready to get out of this flare and feel “normal” again!
Great news, Zinnia. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that you will get a next-morning miracle placebo effect.
Let us know how it goes! I’m pretty sure that Humira is getting traction with me, after having had a couple of good years on Enbrel. Chances are good that you will respond to Humira if you did well on Enbrel.
Whoo…hoo! My first day after humira was the best daybi had in 2 yrs,! Wishing you the best!!
I got the placebo effect four hours later! Went and worked out with my trainer. I have really gotten to the point that I couldn’t do anything well at the gym, but I show up anyway. Today I rocked my balance activities–even the ones on the Bosu ball! It felt great! I didn’t work today–just went to the dentist and then drive an hour each way to my rheumy to get Humira. I gave myself the shot at home and rested a while before going to the gym. I am sure that is a big reason why the gym went so well today. I am exhausted right now, but hopeful. I am hoping tomorrow goes well too!
Thanks to everyone for their encouragement! I look forward to each of your posts. It really gets me through the tough times!
WOW! Someone else here had a miracle too, besides Rachel. I think it may have been janeatiu.
What great news.
Curious Zinnia, do you still inject mtx? Clelebrex? Glad to hear you’re feeling so great! Let us know how you do in a few days. Just a hint, remember to pace yourself but still enjoy the relief!
I do still inject mtx and take Celbrex. I want to get off the Celebrex asap. I would love to not take an NSAID at all. Celebrex was the only thing I have used that stopped the inflammation, but after several months and the flare it is back, although less than before. I can handle the pain, but need the inflammation gone.
I did overdo it at the gym. Still feeling the effects from that! Joint pain hasn’t diminished yet. But the brain fog and fatigue have lifted, and it feels great! I probably did too much at school yesterday too–put up a new bulletin board, pushed through some paper cutting even though it hurt. It is hard not to do too much when you are finally starting to feel like everyone else. I plan to take it easy this weekend.
I see my rheumy on Friday. Any suggestions you guys have would be appreciated. How do you fight inflammation without NSAIDs? Ice doesn’t seem to help at all.
First off I will let you know I still consider myself a newbie simply because I’ve only been diagnosed for under 2 yrs and have not had any steady control over this disease yet. That being said, inflammation should diminish while using humira just slowly. With out ice or nsaid use that is the only way I know but I use both. Isn’t the normalcy of no brain fog and constant fatigue amazing! Yep that is what makes me a believer that my body is working with the bio even when it feels like there is no other effect and zero reason to feel it. Meaning I have tried the rest days, which help but my nagging areas never go away just lessen at times. I work a very physical job that can be demanding and now perform or coordinate the maintenance for my entire industrial plant so staying on top of things HAS to happen. Since being on humira I can do this most days but I struggle and same as you leave little for my family when I get home. I seize the good days and try not to let the bad ones get me down but hey I am human and sometimes they do. I do know that my quality of life, flexibility, and brain power are better because of humira. I keep hoping the rest of my body will get the daily memo, lol.
Thought I would update everyone on my progress. I gave myself Humira for the second time Thursday (every two weeks). I still have the joint pain as bad as before. However, I do feel closer to normal with a little more energy and less brain fog. My rheumy said that some patients get around 70% symptom relief for 8-10 years, which is encouraging. He also said I may be able to get off methotrexate in 8 weeks if all goes well.I really want to be off Celebrex but my inflammation is back, although not as bad as before I started Celebrex.
I could hardly wait to give myself Humira on Thursday, as I could feel symptoms returning. I really do feel better the next day. I started physical therapy again this week to help with the constant hip pain I now have. The pain gets better after exercise, but I still have to drag myself to workout. I can also feel my joints hurting much worse when I am stressed. I try to not stress, but I am a teacher and the big statewide mandated high stakes testing is almost here.
I feel sure things are just going to get better and better–soon testing stress will be over, the Humira will alleviate/control symptoms and prevent damage, and I am continuing to improve diet and exercise. I am very hopeful!
Excellent! So good that you are seeing improvement quickly its a sign that continued use will help even more within a few months! Stress is always a hard one to balance but noticing it as trigger will make it easier choose what is worth worrying about. So glad you came back to share.
Zinnia, thanks for dropping by and letting us know. We know you are busy with the testing, and battling stress, but when that’s behind you (and the Humira had really got traction) come back and tell us how things are going!
This is such good news for you, your family and your students too!