Humira, Should I Try It?

kernow

Hello everyone

I was diagnosed with sero+RA in March of last year I was put onto mtx tabs straight awaystarting at 10mg and progressing after a few weeks to 20mg, but I had trouble coping with the sickness so I was given the injections instead in Jan this year I saw the Rheumy she decided to up the dose to 25mg and added in sulferzine she also said she would review in three months to see if the combination had improved my RA symtoms on seeing her she suggested I try Anti-TNF. earlier this month I had my first assesment I get the second on Friday. Over the last couple of weeks I have been checking out the side effects of Humira, I came accross this paragraph...

"There have been cases of certain kinds of cancer, in patients taking HUMIRA or other TNF blockers. Patients with RA, especially more serious RA, may have a higher chance for getting a kind of cancer called lymphoma. Some patients receiving HUMIRA have developed types of cancer called non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer of the skin), which are generally not life threatening if treated"

Now some 13 years ago I had a Melignent Melanoma removed from my arm it was caught very early and therefore did not require further treatment. But having read the above I am worried that the Humira may reactivate it.

I would love to hear your thoughts on my situation, should I try it or not take the risk.

My RA has meant I had to stop working I was a decorator. I am 54 with two children of 10 & 14 and a wonderfull wife who I have been with since I was 17.

I have pain everyday it can take an hour to get moving in the morning, I feel rough all the time , extreme fatigue, fed up etc. But is it worth the risk to improve my condition.

Looking forward to receiving your thoughts.

Best wishes
Ray 8)

woodbon

Hello, I've just posted this to say hello, I have OA, so I don't have any experience to help you, but lots of people here have RA and they will be along soon, I'm sure. I hope you find this site as useful as I do, its very friendly and you should get lots of support.

Good luck with your decision, Sue

page35

Hi Ray
i have RA but dont take humira, so cant really help.
think you should talk to your rhuemy about your worries of taking humira and then i guess you have to weigh up the risks to the benifits, its so hard.
have you talked to your wife about it what does she think?
at the end of the day its up to you though and sometimes that makes it harder.
good luck and best wishes
page

c4thyg

Ray,

I've just been approved for Humira and I'm waiting to start it (when my Rheumy gets back from holiday). I'm also concerned about it especially as I already have a high risk for lymphoma due to a blood condition I have. However, over the last week I've felt so ill that it has reminded me that I can't look after my 2 year old if I don't get sorted. Work have also just sacked me because of ill health so I figure that I have to try it. I'd love to know what other people think of the drug and how is has or hasn't improved things. I never feel that the Drs give you the info that you want. Only other patients can answer some questions. Bottom line for me is that I'm running out of options and I have to be able to take care of my daughter so the choice to try it is obvious for me.
All the best
Cathy xx

lindalegs

Hi Ray,

Welcome to the site and posting.

I have RA but am not on Humira ........ yet, as I'm responding well to Mtx.

Have you made your Consultant aware of your previous melanoma? Even though it's in your notes this needs to be discussed and also the fact of whether you fall into the first category of RA and are at more risk.

I think you also need to consider your quality of life at the moment. I say this because my RA was awful for a long period of time whilst I just put up with it and it wasn't until I was put on Mtx that I realised what it was like to feel well again. If Humira gives the chance of a window in your life where you enjoy 'normal' things once again, wouldn't it be worth the risk? You will be monitored whilst taking the drug and certainly won't be left high and dry on your own.

I'm hoping others will come on to advise you who are also taking Humira but the problem is that the forum is quieter than normal due to the good summer weather and holidays.

Hope you get some constructive opinions very soon.

Luv Legs

northumbrian

I started on Humira nearly two years ago and it has given me my life back. It is the only medication that has worked for me and I get no side effects. I am 58 and I am living for today, if I get a problem from the Humira in the future then I have to accept that, in the mean time I have some quaility of life now. First though you need specialist advice about the possible re-occurence of cancer if you take humira.

joyful164

I have also read up on Humira and the possible risk it poses and having seen what that particular kind of cancer has done to my DIL, I would persevere with DMards.

Perhaps I have been lucky and not experienced sickness with MTX, but I would prefer that to having to cope with cancer.

We are all different when it comes to coping with medications however and, in the end, only you can choose.

joyful

ichabod6

I'm three injections into my humira treatment and it's giving
me great relief.
Before I decided to give it a go I sussed all the humira posts
on this site most of which were positive; and I read several
previous posts by Northumbrian on the subject which were slightly persuasive towards my taking it up. I certainly endorse what
he/she says in this post.

For the record I'm male and a little older than N.

salsal

ive been on humira ,22.5mg methotrexate and 90mg arcoxia and feel so much better still have tiredness, moderate aches and pains and swelling but can stay up all day, work comfortably,i dont take any pain relief during the day just some tramadol and cocodamol 30/500 at bed time i used to be on the full wack of each before my humira started only downside is i can now peel veg so have to cook dinner occassionally now!
humira really has changed my life!

tkachev

Hi Ray,

Ever since starting Humira I have been able to enjoy life again.However it is worrying to have these possible side effects.Ive not been told about this before (cancer).I dont think it would stop me but i would monitor it.
I also take methotrexate.It makes me sick I call it my poison tried injections but they still make me feel sick so back to tablets again.
The pain i experience now is nothing to pre humira.But it doesnt work for everyone.

Tkachev.