Well All

Great news.

The Humira delivered to my fridge on 2nd February and YES started it yesterday. Homecare Nurse came
at tea time yesterday and first one administered. Lots of paperwork and questions and answers.

I have waited so very long for this - now need to wait for the magic to work. I do so hope so. I
am gradually cutting back on steriods but taking the max anti-inflam (celecoxib) at the mo.

12 nights in the South of France has done wonders for me, r and r was just what was needed
for me.

The injection stung when it went in which was fair enough. However, did not sleep well with pain
and itching all over my body although there is no apparant rash.

I will keep you updated as time goes by now.

Does any one know how often I should be having a blood test ?

Rose x

Hi Rose

Wonderful news So pleased you have got started on the Humira at last, I m sure you ll hear how often to go for blood tests. I have had a lot of nasty itching ( have put it down to the infliximab ) I read on here about anti histamine tablets for severe itching, so I asked my doctor if I could go on them, before that he only gave me betnavate which did not help at all. Anyway have done the trick so now take them all the time.

The holiday was just what you needed you had been through so much, really pleased that you had such a wonderful time !

Hope all goes well, Julia x

Hi Rose

Glad you've got there at last. I've been on it for 3 months now and so far it's been great. Have got the steroids down to 5 mg a day (now been told to drop 1 mg per month!). It's worked on every joint apart from my left knee and shoulder! So I'm very pleased. DAS score dropped by 3 - so the admin were happy as well. (it means I am cost effective!!!)

Having fluid drained off knee and double dose of steriods put in - next week. Apparently if it is just one or two joints that need ongoing help, they don't mind.

I've been told blood tests every 3 months, now I'm off the leflenomide (it is monthly if you are on this). I still take a small dose of sulfasalazine.

I don't sleep that well on the day I have it, so I've been doing it in the mornings sometimes. I'm never to sure what the best time is really.

I take hayfever medication most of the year, so that probably does the same job as the antihistamine - so I haven't had the itching problem.

Glad you've had a good break too.

Anne

Good luck with the humira, Rose - I hope it works its magic for you! I`m on humira, and my blood tests are every three months.

Kathleen C x

Good luck Rose - hope it works wonders...!!

- darshin

Hi Rose

So glad that you had a wonderful holiday.

I'm very pleased that you have finally began the Humira as i know you have waited a long time. I have blood tests every month, although i think that's because of the MTX and i also had liver failure last year caused by the leflunomide.

I have stopped Humira since April 4th because of a rash and had a biopsy on my back on May 13th. Well i finally got the results yesterday to say the rash was caused by a drug so it's likely to be the Humira, so no more of that for me. I had only had 4 injections.

I go to rheumy on Monday and she suggested i try enbrel in a letter so i think i will be on that next, my 7th drug!!

Good luck to you Rose.

Love Shirley x

Thanks to you all,

Suzanne - hope you get sorted soon and do not have to wait as long as me -

Shirley - you poor thing - 7th drug. Hope next week brings positive vibes for you

Julia and Anne - thanks for your advice on the itching etc.

I have slept really well last night - 11 hrs infact and no itching today, as the day
progressed yesterday the itching sub sided a little.

My post yesterday was just before I went into work, first time since France, and
of course having the injection started. I had texted my new Manager (she was my clerk
this time last year) to say I was apprehensive about the drug was an understatement.
However, got to work and she said oh you look brown ! did she ask if I had a good
holiday - no. Did she ask how I was feeling - no (and I was feeling really strange and
not normal) So came home and had a good cry .. Pathetic , but it does tell me that
'people' definately do not understand RA, or perhaps it just that they have no manners.
Oh well...

Rose x

hi Rose,

sorry you had to go back to work and get such a negative response,

i think you were brave to go back just after starting the new drug.

really pleased to hear the itching has subsided ... keeping everything crossed for you that this in the one for you.

do keep us posted as it helps me as the time nears for me to hopefully start mine,

Suzanne x

Sorry about your experience at work Rose. Just put it down to ignorance. Take your humira and soon you will be feeling better.

Sheila x

Hi Rose..
Well done on injecting yourself!! Sorry your feeling yucky but hopefully its just early days and your body is trying to get used to it..Im failing miserably on Infliximab but have to have one more infusion before they will agree its failed, thinking of trying Humira next time but really dont have a clue! Anyway hope you had a good nights sleep and things are better today. Fingers crossed for you! Love Ceri xx