Hello Anna,

I was diagnosed almost four years ago, and tried various DMARDs and combinations of them, none of which did any good, and since my mobility was really poor, I had to resort to a wheelchair to go any distance, and a mobility scooter. I started humira in summer 2007, and it has made a huge difference to my quality of life. I fortunately had no side effects from it, though at first I did seem to pick up one or two UTIs.My ESR & CRP had always been over the hundred, and these figures slowly came down.

At first, I was taking MTX with the humira, but developed respiratory problems resulting in a stay in hospital, so the MTX was dropped.I have to say the humira has been just as effective without it, and my consultant has no plans to replace it with anything else.

I`m not sure I would go along with the phrase "it`s given me my life back," but it has certainly given me a degree of mobility I thought I`d never have again. It has also enabled me to be a bit more active with my two small grandsons, whom I couldn`t even pick up, let alone put them in the bath etc.

It didn`t take too long for the humira to kick in, then for a while after that I seemed to reach a plateau, before then improving again.

With regards to your question about your fingers, mine do sometimes lock, and it feels like they won`t staighten again, though they do, of course. I just accept this as part & parcel of having RA, and tend not to worry about it. I will have to have some shoulder surgery at some point, as my shoulders seem to be damaged, but on the whole, things are a lot better.

Hope this helps, and humira is the drug that works for you.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hi Anna,

Not on anti-tnf but was curious by the handlocking business - which I havent yet experienced. Did you ever get hand and finger exercisees from your OT? Its amazing how these things happen to us and we just take it all in our stride - what else can we do. I am on my 2nd DMARD so if this doesnt work then its anti-tnf for me so I am very interested to hear about it. One thing your big flare - was there any thing that led to it or was it completely out of the blue or was there a build up?

Hope your RA settles
Take care

Mari

Hi Anna
I am on Humira and have been for over 18 months now. It really has been a 'wonder drug' for me, I feel very lucky. I was diagnosed 2001 and was given hydroxychloroquine to start with, which worked for a little while. Then sulphasalazine and methotrexate was added. Like before the drugs worked initially, but then the RA took hold again. I was in so much discomfort and pain all of the time and believed this was my life from now on. I spoke to my rheummy who said I fitted the criteria for an anti tnf. I cannot tell you how relieved I was to hear that. I started taking humira April 2008 and it's given me back quality life. Yes I still have a few aches and pains now and again and still get tired ( also waiting for a triple fusion on my hindfoot at the end of January due inflammation in early disease ) but I cannot speak highly enough about it. This is my personal opinion and experience and I agree not everyone is the same on these drugs. Are you using the pen Anna.
I wish you well on it and hope you continue to feel better.
Kelly

Hi Anna

I am on Enbrel and I am a big fan of it. I started on Enbrel in March. It took a few weeks kick in and I feel I am still improving. Life is no longer a struggle.

Joy

Hi Anna,

I was diagnosed in August 2008, and started Enbrel in January of this year. It took a couple of weeks to kick in, and it has worked wonders for me. The only time i get pain is if i become ill, which is quite often due to suppressed immune system. I could not cope without it!
I hope it works well for you like it did me

Hannah (age 15)
x