Eeking out Humira

LignumVitae

I'm not sure if this is just in my head or if it is how these things go so I thought I would ask all of you. I do my Humira fortnightly and it does seem to be helping, not as much as the Enbrel but then I am not suffering giant allergic skin reactions either. On the last few days of the fortnight, before I take a dose, I notice that my body seems to start struggling again. I'm not sure if I am just mentally aware of the need for the next jab or if the arthritis has a little regroup as the Humira is lower in my body. Equally, as I am only on my fourth fortnightly dose, I am not sure whether this will alter over time and be better in a few weeks when it is more 'built up' in my system...any thoughts oh wise arthritics?

mig

Hi LV,Ive been on humira for two and a half years now and the same thing happens to me every time ,i get 10 excellent days then i start to feel it nibbling away at me so by the time its time to inject again i really need it,it seems to be par for the course for lots of people,I'm glad that its helping you.

How do the girls like the snow ? Mig

theresak

Yes, me too, LV - my joints always let me know when it`s coming near to injection day.It`s usually on about the 11th day when I know I need my jab. I do know someone who is allowed to inject every 12 days, rather than 14, because it works more efficiently for her, but I`ve never asked if I can do that.

I`m glad it`s helping you.

LignumVitae

Thank you Mig, that is so helpful and reflects exactly how I am finding it (plus you put it far better for me so I shall steal your words for my trip to the rheumy on Tuesday).
The girls loved the snow, we built a snowman, made it crunch under our feet and then suddenly Tegen found her hands were cold (she did insist on holding snow) so she threw a huge wobbly, we went inside and had some hot vimto and all was well again. If they look out and see the snow covered car at night they get a bit worried and Summer spends ages saying 'car, car, car, car' over and over because she is worried something is wrong with it. Doesn't bother her during the day when she can see and recognise the white snow!

LignumVitae

Thanks Tezz, I must have posted at just the same time as you. How odd that we all get that. I did wonder whether it was because I didn't expect it to be a fortnightly thing when I started. Still, I'll go for the 11 good days because they beat 14 rotten ones! I'll certainly mention it to the rheumy, I'm not sure I am organised enough to be able to keep up a 12 day cycle - I struggle to remember meth on a wednesday and humira every other friday!

stickywicket

Never done humira but at times I get the same thing with meth ie Tues and Wed can be a bit dodgy.

The world is a different place when you're little - both magical and scary. I can imagine Tegan's feelings - a bit like Tom & Jerry when someone steps unwittingly off a cliff but doesn't actually fall until they realise it

barbara12

Sorry I cant help LV, but I do wish you well on it..glad to see Mig could help and the others..x

ichabod6

Hello LV,

I am on my second session of humira.
The first was from 2008-2010 and the second from mid 2012 to now.
In both sessions I have found that any slight drop in my wellbeing
towards the end of the fortnightly periods subsequently disappeared
the longer I injected. I dont notice any drops nowadays.
Two bonuses for me is one I have an injection per two weeks againts
the old regime of 56 tablets during the same period, and two, humira
is a prescribed medication for my crohns disease, so I get two for
the price of one or a bogoff, call it what you will.
I'm happy with that.

LignumVitae

Thank you all, that is so helpful to know (and hopeful in the case of it getting less of a gap Ichabod). I've noticed it with meth sometimes too but I just assumed it was my brain knowing I was getting to the point of needing to inject but it seems the arthritis knows when you are at the end of a dose and is sitting there lurking, evil mean spirited thing that it is.

Slosh

I know nothing about humira but just wanted to say I'm pleased it's working for you, at least for 11 days out of 14 and so glad there are no nasty side effects this time.

tkachev

I was told that it builds up in your system as time goes on so the gap should start to decrease.

I was certainly lucky enough to never suffer in between the fortnight injections and even after a THR when I had to stop for several months I was okay. I think a 6 week gap is about my limit.


Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

I used to get five or six days of better mobility but now, thanks to the OA, that's reduced to two or three; the rest of the fortnight sucks. I have never experienced any kind of easing of the disease thanks to the anti TNF meds but that's probably because it was too long before I started them. It makes sense to me that there will be a tailing off, that's logical. I can understand the theory about it building up in one's system but for me it makes very little physical difference - at least the PsA is controlled. :roll: DD (who is trying to be grateful for a miniscule mercy )