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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 124 Location: Wolverhampton
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Hi for those who are on fb, you will have seen that I have been "approved" for the above drugs. Also have the choice of influximab but not keen on the idea of infusion and the time it takes - for me would mean too much time out of the office.
Am leaning towards humira for no other reason than it is administered fortnightly - is that good enough basis for selection? Did think about a pros and cons list, but think the cons will be quite similar!
Anyhoo, just an update really.
Nina xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 357
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Hi Nina, It was great to read that you'd got approval for Anti TNF treatment. I can only comment from my own experience, which for the last few years has been on Enbrel. I think that since being on Enbrel it's the best I've felt since I was originally diagnosed with RA around 17 years ago. Like many others I was concerned with the self injection once a week, but the Healthcare at home nurse was really good and reassuring. We're all used to needles, what with having our bloods, depo injections, etc, but the thought of doing the injection myself was a bit daunting at first. Now I can do it no problem, but there is always help there from the Healthcare At Home Nurses, as well as my own rheumatology team should I need it. I hope whichever treatment you decide to embark on that it makes you feel a whole lot better.  Best wishes Jo. 2012 Fundraising for the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society (NRAS) http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/RoboJo
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi Nina,
Fabulous news about the Anti-TNF approval.
I decided on Humira when I was approved, for exactly the same reasons as you. When you're working it is tough to get the time off for infusions so the Hunira is convenient.
Good luck with it! Hope it goes well for you
Joanna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Nina, Good luck with the anti-TNF, whichever one you choose. My consultant chose mine for me - humira, which has made a considerable difference to my mobility etc. I`ve been on it almost 3 years now, with no side-effects at all. Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 84 Location: Northern Ireland
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Hi Nina My consultant decided for me as well, so I have been on Enbrel from March 2009 and has worked very well for me without any major problems. If the decision had been left to me I would have went for Humira for the same reason. What ever you chose I hope it works well for you  . Joy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Hi Nina-same here really, I chose Humira because it's fortnightly and I already have to do 4 injections a day for diabetes. I also didn't like the fact that Enbrel is (I believe) something to do with mice in it's production,and although i like cheese i diddn't fancy a long tail! I sometimes wonder if Enbrel would have been better for me as I have query Psoriatic Arthritis, but the consultant seems quite happy with the blood tests on Humira. I think the general pros and cons are very similar. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Am glad they are letting you try the Anti TNFs Nina - I have my second assessment on 26 April and would also choose Humira for the same reasons if I pass. I did wonder though if anyone has any any problems with infections whilst on Enbrel/Humira - which seems to be the most common risk with the drugs? Hope it all goes well for you Nina.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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I can honestly say I've had no more infections whilst on Humira than when i wasn't taking it-and I work in two schools and seem to have fewer colds etc. than the other staff! YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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I just had the swine flu but took Tamiflu for it and it was gone in a few days, so no worse than if I hadn't been taking humira.
Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Nina I have been on Enbrel (combined with Methotrexate) for nearly 6 years; the choice of drug was made by the consultant after a 12 month stint on Infliximab, which failed. I'm on twice weekly injections which have worked well. The lower dose means they are relatively pain free. The larger weekly doses contain additional preservative which can, I understand, cause a bit of stinging. The Infliximab was wonderful and the results far superior to Enbrel, for me. It was like a miracle after each infusion and I actually felt normal again. Alas it ceased to be effective after 12 months. A lady who had her infusions at the same time as me is still on it and working full time in a hospital, she has hardly any problems now. When we met she could barely walk and undress herself. What suits one doesn't suit another! I have had no infections, not even colds, whilst on Enbrel; my recent batch of infection problems have been solely due to the devastation caused by the Methotrexate (currently sitting in my cupboard where it will remain for now!). I have no experience with Humira but those who do use it seem pleased with the results. I'm not sure how you will decide but perhaps guidance from the consultant on your particular circumstances might be helpful? Whichever you opt for, good luck  Hope it is successful for you. Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 124 Location: Wolverhampton
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Thank you all for taking the time to reply.
Think my preference is gonna be humira although I am not the most decisive of folk and may change my mind before I call the biologys nurse on Wednesday!!!
Nice to hear of others personal experiences.
Take care all.
Nina xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hi
Just wanted to say that although the others have not been catching more bugs etc, serious infections are more likely with the RA alone, by taking anti tnf it is about double this.
the newer research into the drugs shows this, what this means in practice is when you get a bit of a cough- you need to be seen by a gp and given anti biotics sooner rather than later and then the risk is managed.
As with all the RA drugs you are likely to pick up more infections generally and them to last longer. Thankfully, some people are naturally immune to more bugs as they have been previously exposed to them in one form or other.
the pros for enbrel (IMO) are that it is a weekly injection, the jab is less painful on average than humira and the weekly bit means that it doesnt "run out of steam" mid way through wk 2 as can happen on humira. It has been around the longest so in theory the medics know most about it.
Humira has a human analogue and Enbrel and infliximab has a mouse analogue. I didnt mind either analogue really!
when I had enbrel, humira wasnt out so I didnt get a choice. I did take enbrel for almost 3 yrs before I had to stop. Certainly recurrent kidney probs and wee infections seems to be a key reason for stopping the enbrel. Its swings and roundabouts. I do know one lady who has been on enbrel for 13 yrs without incident and is still getting on fine.
Jenni xxhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 124 Location: Wolverhampton
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Jenni, just wanted to thank you for taking the time to respond. Am deffo going with Humira ......
Take care,
Nina xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/28/2009 Posts: 238 Location: North London
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fwiw, my consultant advised Humira for me on the grounds it would help my 'immune gut'.
Which it has.
Cryptic, non ;) ?
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 124 Location: Wolverhampton
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I have decided on Humira, called the nurse on Thursday, and have an appt to go see her on Monday morning. Apparently she has a dvd for me to watch!
Nina xx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Good luck with it Nina.
You get the DVD in with the introduction pack and to my surprise it is Kelly (from the forum) who demonstrates the injection (and does it very well I might add!).
Lets hope this is the beginning of much improvement for you.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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All the luck in the world with it, Nina.
Love Jeanxxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
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all best Nina dvd thats good,if i was to be offered chocie of anti tnf,id have chosen humira to. lv melly cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
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The very best of success is wished for you Nina. At least there are others who really know about the drug who you can ask for advice and support if you need it. Makes such a difference having informed, knowledgable people around.
Eleanor x
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Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/15/2010
Posts: 3
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I have also just been approved for Anti-TNF treatment after 3 yrs of being on Sulphasalazine/Methotrexate and a really tough winter which has resulted in my inflammation levels going thro the roof again! My consultant has given me the choices of ENBREL, HUMIRA or INFLIXIMAB to choose myself and after reading stuff on all of them I am undecided! I don't fancy the infusion of INFLIXIMAB but neither do I wish to inject myself either! The side-effects also worry me more than just taking the usual tablets and would be grateful for any advice from anyone who takes ENBREL or HUMIRA! Are the injections easy to do & do they hurt? How quickly do they start working? Do you get side-effects? Do you have to have more regular blood tests? I have a million other questions but will leave it there for now! Thanks in advance!
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