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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2012
Posts: 30
Location: West Yorkshire
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Hi, I am new to the site, and just about to start on adalimumab, can anyone give me any reassurance/advice on what I can expect. I'm absolutely petrified!! Thanks Donna 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2012
Posts: 30
Location: West Yorkshire
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I forgot to say that I am 39 and was diagnosed with RA in November. I've tried methortrexate but had a violent reaction to it, both oral and sub cut... I suffer with RA in nearly every joint, right from my jaw, my neck, shoulders, down to my feet. The only joint not effected at the moment is my elbows and one of my knees...
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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/9/2012 Posts: 15 Location: Sidcup S E London
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Hi Donna,
I cant help with advice of adalimumab, but I'm sure someone on here will be able to, the advice on here is brilliant, I have learnt so much in the couple of months since I joined.
Welcome to the site.
Mary
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 714
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Donna
Welcome to the forum. You have found the right place for advice and comfort. I cannot help you on the adalimumab, but I am sure someone on here will be able to.
I am sorry that your RA is so active and hope the adalimumab starts working quickly for you. I am a great believer in trying anything which will relieve the pain, symptoms and overall damage which RA can do.
Good luck and keep posting.
Jackie
xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hello Donna, I can't offer any advice either about this drug either. I just wanted to say hello and welcome......and to say that the elbows are the only things that have never been affected with me too. I hope someone can give some positive news about this drug. Please keep us posted about how you are doing. Best wishes from Naomi.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Donna A warm welcome to the forum. I am so sorry that your RA is so out of control at the moment and hope that they soon find the right drug for you. I don't have any experience of this drug but I am sure someone will be able to offer some advice. I am 57 and have been diagnosed for 6 years and am currently on Methotrexate and Enbrel which is working well for me. Look forward to hearing more from you. Best Wishes Sue 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Donna,
Welcome to the forum but sorry you have RA.
I am 62 and have had RA for 11 years. I have been on adalimumab( humira) for 4 years and it has been very effective for me. I also take mtx 12.5mg.
The drugs are scarey and I think we all think long and hard before taking them. I have been lucky with humira, it works for me and I have had no side effects from it, and I hope it will be the same for you.
Good luck with it.
Love Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Donna
Welcome to the forum, you will get so much support and understanding. I hope all goes well for you with Humira, and you get some much needed relief very soon. I am 56 and had RA for three years now, I am now on Cimzia and mtx by injection, and fingers crossed, all is going well at the moment.
Lots of best wishes, let us know how things go.
Julia x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Donna Welcome from me too! My name is Debs I am 47 and was diagnosed September 2010. I had a reaction to MTX and now take Lefunomide which so far is working. Hope things settle down for you soon. Debs
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Donna, and a very warm welcome to the forum. I`m 61, and I was diagnosed over six years ago now, on the very day of my first grandson`s first birthday - that`s how I remember! After trying various DMARDs I was finally put on humira ( adalimumab), and I`ve been on it for over four years now. For me, it made a huge difference to my quality of life and to my mobility, which up till then had been severely limited. I take it on its own, after a bad reaction to MTX. Different things work for different people, but I hope the humira works well for you. It wasn`t long after starting it that I felt some improvement, and thankfully I had no side effects. Take care, Kathleen C x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello
A big welcome from me. This is a great site for info and knowledge from the people who really know.
I am Rose aged 58 from Somerset. Tried all sorts of drugs and 1 of them was Humira. I understand
how you feel I was exactly the same starting a drug such as this. Unfortunate for me I had to
stop due to lots of side effects. Good luck though we are not all the same, thank goodness, so
what works for one person will actually work for another
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Donna,
i was also petrified to put it politely!! at starting on Humira .. as i have been on each new drug i take.
but you get help from a Nurse for your first injection and it really is quite easy with the Epi Pen, it only stings for a few seconds.
i've been on it since August, and it's the first one that has worked for me ( diagnosed two years ago ) my CRP went down each month gradually and my confidence grew with each injection, although i have to admit i still don't like the morning i inject, but that's me just.
i wish you success on it,
do keep us posted.
Suzanne
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/22/2010
Posts: 51
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Hi Donna,"Welcome" I hope this drug works for you,then you will start to feel so so much better.Wondering how did i put up with all the pain in your joints.I myself inject with "Enbrel" once a week also take 20 mg mtx once a week 20 mg of steroids every day & sulfasalzine every day.It is frightening taking all these drugs but it does give us a better quality of life.So keep strong.
All the best
Valerie R
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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Hi Donna, welcome from me too, I am Barbara, diagnosed almost 3 years ago and just started on Humira, alongside methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine I hope you can get the support you need, like everyone has said, your rheummy nurse should be able to support you until you feel able to manage the injections yourself with confidence. It does unfortunately, take time to get the right combination, many of us are still trying!! so dont get disheartened. Everyone on here is very friendly and supportive, most of us rely on each other for support and advice, different members have tried different treatments and can give their opinions on how its worked for them, and to help others Good luck with everything BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Donna Welcome to the forum. A great place to be for support and information; lots of folk, lots of knowledge and a wealth of tried and tested experiences! Glad you have found us and NRAS! I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four 'kidults' Abby 24, Ian and Jake 18, and Louis 17. We live in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with RA 24 years ago and have since run the gauntlet of medication, had several surgical procedures along the way and looks like more in the offing! Currently on a changing variety of meds after recent failures but permanently on Prednisolone and Naproxen and a bucket load of other stuff! I was previously on anti-tnf for 8/9 years (Infliximab and Enbrel) but had to stop due to lack of efficacy and various other problems along the way, and just failed on Rituximab. My feet and hands/wrists were the worst for many years but with time the disease has taken liberties and spread to everywhere it can get a foothold! But heyho ... a sack load of pain killers and other bits and pieces helps life along on its merry way! Humira is a well respected drug and many people have benefitted from it. Do be patient though, it can sometimes take a while to work. Good luck with it  Look forward to getting to know you, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2012
Posts: 30
Location: West Yorkshire
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Hi Guys Thank you so much for all the comments and kind workds of encouragement.... I've not managed to get on here for a while due to a bad flare up and not having the use of my hands. I had to have another depo injection and my steroids were upped to 20ml a day again!!!! I also take hydroxychloriquine and Celecoxib, along with 5mg methotrexate. I'm very nervous about tomorrow and have lots of questions for the nurse..... Can anyone advise how long they have to take the TNF before they come off the steroids. Although I have not gained lots of weight, my face is getting rounder and I have been advised that my bone density scan showed that I am more at risk from developing osteo arthritis as well. Its all really confusing but i do know steroids are not helping my bones. #Thanks in advance guys x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Donna
You should now start reducing the prednisolone but a an extremely slow rate, best to check this with your rheumy nurse or GP tomorrow when you start the Humira.
Julia xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 177
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Hi Donna
Welcome from me too, I'm Shirley, 50, married with 3 children of 29, 21 and 19 and i also have 3 grandchildren.
I have been on lots of drugs since i was diagnosed in Feb 2012 and humira was one of them. It gave me a rash but that's just me! It will probably work well for you. I'm on enbrel and MTX injections now but still have a number of swollen joints. I'm still very up and down with my RA.
Good luck.
Love Shirley x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2012
Posts: 30
Location: West Yorkshire
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Hi Everyone Well I had my first injection of Humira on Tuesday and so far no serious side effects. My leg still feels a bit numb and I have had a bit of a headache but other than that I feel ok. Lets just hope it starts to take effect soon as I don't know how much longer I can endure this pain, and feeling exhausted. I'm not an afternoon sleeper but had a lay down yesterday afternoon due to the headache and fell asleep for 2 hours!!! I have had a restless night probably due to the afternoon nap and have been awake since 4am, so will probably be tired mid afternoon again. My body clock is all over the place.... I'll keep you posted with any progress whilst using Humira. Hope everyone else is as well as can be  Donna
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/4/2012
Posts: 30
Location: West Yorkshire
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Hello Again Well its been a week now since my first Humira injection. I suffered with a sever headache for a couple of days but then was fine, however I woke up in the early hours of this mornng with a terrible headache again and feeling a bit sick.... I have to say though that the pain has wavered a little bit and I don't feel as stiff as I did. I can actually bend my fingers now, not fully but hopefully after a couple more injections I will be ok. Hope everyone else is ok Donna 
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