Hi all. Don't post here much but often read & get some great info! Probably still in the denial phase. LOL Have now failed 5 treatments & doc putting in application to gov for me to commence Humira (in Australia prescription of biologics in controlled by Medicare). Hope to hear some more good tips / advice re Humira from you! Never thought I'd get excited about a drug! Anything to help lessen the pain & maybe slow down the joint damgage which seems to be progressing a bit rapidly :((
Oh, and my specialist has told me to get a heap of vaccinations done b4 commencing- has anyone else had to do that?
Hi, I am also in Australia. I have also been put through the medicare roundabout to start the biologics. Only I started on Embrel, and now I am on Simponi. I had to get the test done for TB and I now have to get the flu vaccination every year, but that is as far as it goes for vaccinations.
I think the best advise I have been given is to stay hydrated on the day of injection. Good luck and I hope it works for you!!
Where is Aus are you if you don't mind me asking? I am in Sydney.
Hi Louise
In Townsville NQ. How come you didn't have to have vaccinations before starting? Do you think maybe my specialist is being overly cautious?
Thanks for your comments! :)
My rheumy had me get a battery of tests (TB was one and I don't remember what else), and vaccines for the flu and shingles, before starting on Simponi, so it's not just you.
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i have also failed 5 treatments I am currently on Enbrel but I have built anti bodies against it and they don't want to change me onto one of the other drugs for some reason, maybe its the crap you have to go through with medicare. They have put me on Arava with my injections but seeing as Arava didn't help at all when I was on it I don't feel confident that it will work. My flare ups have gone straight back to 5 days a week like they were before starting biologics. Is there a Rheumy in Townsville because I was told that there wasn't. I live in Caurns but my best friend' my children and my granddaughter live there so I go there a lot. I hope that drug worked for you