Started Humira

stlucia

Hello everyone,

I am sorry for the lack of posts recently. Life has been pretty rubbish.

I have started on the Humira (one dose so far) and all I can report is absolute and extreme exhaustion!!! Has anyone else had a similar experience? My muscles and joints have been painful as per usual but feeling flu like in addition to RA.

Yuck! Please tell me it gets better!!! )

Ooh reindeer... x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf

tillytop

Hello StLucia

Sorry things are so bad for you at the moment.

Re the Humira - just trying to remember how I felt afterwards. I can't remember specifically feeling exhausted with the Humira, although when I was on Infliximab, which is similar stuff, I used to feel as if I had been run over with a steamroller for a few days after the infusion. Also, as I'm sure you know from your own experience, RA itself can make you feel as if you have flu so it may not be to do with the Humira at all.

My advice would be to keep notes of when you take the Humira and how you feel so that, as time goes on, you can see if there does appear to be any pattern emerging. But obviously, if you are concerned, do speak to the rheumatology clinic for some advice.

I really do hope that you start to feel some benefit from the Humira soon and that the exhaustion gets better.

Thinking of you.

Love Tilly xxx PS: Like the reindeer! )

tkachev

I was thinking about you and wondering why we haven't heard from you. I am glad you have now started on the humira.Your symptoms may be because humira lowers your immune symstem so your body is now over tired.

I hope things start to improve. The main problem I have had this year is a continuous cold but I haven't had the flu jab yet. I prefer this to the pain of R.A anyday.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

I have been on it for 18 months now and it has never caused more tiredness above the usual. I have not had an allergic reaction at the injection sites either. I hope it starts to work for you soon, it has worked wonders for some and I hope you are in that group. DD

barbara12

Hi stlucia
Sorry I cant offer any advice, but I just want to send you my support, I really do hope that this is a blip, and it will start working for you very soon.
Just one thing..someone said keep a diary of your symptoms, and the changes from day to day...that is a really good idea.
Take care
Love
Barbara xx

mp1952

Hi Stlucia

I am due to start on Humira in January and I have been warned that I may have extreme fatigue for a while, until my body gets used to it.. (also risk of infections (chest/upper respiratory,etc) especially for first 90 days.

Hope you feel better soon.

Marionc

stlucia

Thanks so much for the helpful support and advice. )

Off to do more sleeping now........ x8) x8) x8) x8) x8)

tillytop

Hi Stlucia

Just popped in to say "hello" and hope you are feeling a bit better today.

Love Tilly xxx

stlucia

So lovely of you Tilly, thank you. It's just gone two and I've only now been able to get out of bed. I had a shower this morning and went back to bed as I felt so awful. I'm considering ringing the pharmacist and asking them about Humira as I feel dreadful - tight chest, cold and cough which has got worse since starting Humira (could be a coincedence?), complete exhaustion, banging headache and drinking loads of fluids, joint and muscle pain other than the RA, sharp pains like when you have a water infection but no stinging - sorry too much detail! I'll stop now! :?

Wondering if this is normal after one dose?

x x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf x:rudolf

alarkra

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling poorly St Lucia... x:roll: x:(

I hope that it passes... I am currently on the triple treatment drugs and with the help of the steroid jab (which helps all my joints) so I am much better than I was in July, however, I still have a way to go. I am willing these meds to work as the thought of going on anti-tnf's terrifies me somewhat as even though there are supposed to be the amazing plus sides if it does work, the thought of it failing is just awful. I do hope that for your sake you start to feel much better with it as time goes on. Stay strong. (((HUGS))) xx

stlucia

Hey Alarkra,
Thank you for your message. What drugs are you on? I am seriously hoping that this feeling poorly stage is only because I've just started it and that it won't be like this forever!!
x

tkachev

Hi St Lucia,

Sorry you feel so bad.

I have only had a few injections since Sept because everytime I have one I get an increase in flu like symptoms as you described. I seem to have a bug hanging around big time.
Did you have a slight cold when you started and the injection made you worse? I would let your rheummy know about your symptoms-they ask you to tell them about certain side-effects.I would get advice from them.

Elizabeth

stlucia

Thank you, I was thinking the same thing...I had a bit of a cold before I started. I am beginning to feel a bit more human - just in time for Strictly ans X Factor!

When you take your humira, how long does it take you to feel better?

xx

tillytop

Evening Stlucia!

Really glad you are starting to feel better (well better enough for Strictly and X-Factor anyway!).

Love Tilly xxx

stlucia

Thanks Tilly,

How are you today?

tillytop

Hey StLucia

I'm doing ok today thanks - other than fighting off a cold. I think I'm winning though which is good cos I need to be able to take my mtx tomorrow. x:roll:

Enjoy your telly watching!!!

Love Tilly xxx

stlucia

Give the cold a bash on the head with some paracetamol if you haven't already! horrid cold! Have you been watching x factor?

ironic

Hi Stlucia,

I hope you are enjoying your programme. So sorry you are suffering though, it’s been such a long road for you. It might be for the best if you ring up tomorrow even if it’s just to put your mind at rest. Fingers crossed that it is just a blip and the next treatment proves more effective for you.

Lv, Ix

stlucia

Thank you, your very kind. I will try and see a doctor tomorrow I think.
I have perked up a bit now but will try to be careful. HOw are you? x

ironic

I’m not so bad thanks for asking. I thought for a moment there that I was going to be able to de layer some of the jumpers but it looks like we are going back into the ice age!!! )

Ix

tkachev

stlucia wrote:

Thank you, I was thinking the same thing...I had a bit of a cold before I started. I am beginning to feel a bit more human - just in time for Strictly ans X Factor!

When you take your humira, how long does it take you to feel better?

xx

Well at the moment if I have humira or MTX my cold gets worse overnight so I have not had an injection for about 4 weeks(I had MTX last week for the 1st time in 3/4 weeks). I have noticed my knees feeling strange/puffy/tight and my left hip is difficult to lie on.I take humira tomorrow and will let you know if I notice any improvement.

Elizabeth

stlucia

Hi Elizabeth, how did the injection go today? do yours sting like crazy? have you found anything to help with that? x

dreamdaisy

Take the humira out of the fridge for at least 20 minutes, I prefer at least 30. It's the preservative that stings (I learned that from del) so bear that in mind - the good stuff doesn't hurt. I am doing my stomach stabbing tonight at about 9pm, so stuff 'oot the fridge at 8.30 - watch Only Connect, stab, cuppa, bed. Monday done and dusted. DD

tillytop

stlucia wrote:

Give the cold a bash on the head with some paracetamol if you haven't already! horrid cold! Have you been watching x factor?

Thanks Stlucia! Much better today thanks!

Hope you enjoyed your telly viewing last night. I haven't seen this series of x-factor but hope you enjoyed it. Was the final wasn't it?

Just a tip re the Humira injection stinging. I used to take mine out of the fridge a couple of hours before using it. I found it was much more comfortable to inject at room temperature.

Hope you are starting to feel less exhausted.

Lots love Tilly xxx

dreamdaisy

Hey stlucia, have you had your second dose yet? How did it go? DD

stlucia

Hi DD, no I have it on the 23rd....eek I hope I am ok for Christmas! How are you today? More snow coming this way - we've got it, has it reached you yet?

x