Adalimubab- for psoriatic arthritis

ClairyB4

Hi,

any biologic users here? I started my first injection of adalimubab on Wednesday….. it’s Sunday now and I’ve had the most awful stomach cramps and upset stomach! Has anyone else found this? If so, how long should I expect it to last,?
I’d appreciate any advice xx

annabanana

Hi @ClairyB4 , sorry to hear about the side effects you are experiencing! Unfortunately I cannot comment on exactly adalimubab but I did also just start biologics on Wednesday, which is a funny coincidence , and also had awful cramps until Thursday (when I then managed to get covid so aren’t sure what is and isn’t a side effect). When is your next appointment? As I would definitely think it’s worth mentioning your side effects then, even if they do not persist past this first week. Just to be safe.

I’ll attach some links which may have some useful information, I hope you feel better soon! Also, welcome to the Versus Arthritis Online Community, it is great to have you here 😁

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-drug-side-effects/

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/adalimumab/

ClairyB4

Thank you so much @annabanana xx

Sorry to hear you have Covid!! Not a good start!
I have another nurse visit next Wednesday, then I’ll be left to my own devices.
I feel a little better today but not eating much to test the theory 😆 as the cramps have been so painful and I’m also in meetings today and didn’t want to be running to the loo every 5 minutes!!
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and the links too.

Here’s to our biologics journey!
Hope you feel better very soon xx

Arciere

Hi there

Yes, I’m a biologics user with Psoriatic Arthritis. Generally I don’t have any side affects save for perhaps feeling a little car sick in the day after taking it - if you know what I mean.

I have to say - since starting biologics and making some other life changes I’m almost living like I don’t have arthritis (although it likes to remind me, usually when I least need it, like on a big day at work, or with the slightest of stressful thinking. Just in case I forget about it).

There is record numbers of Norovirus spreading - according to BBC - so it could be a coincidence.

Have you had the Pneumococcal vaccine? I attribute that for dodging most of the winter illness this year.

ClairyB4

Hi,

@Arciere thank you for your message. Good to know. The bathroom trips have definitely reduced but I’ve been feeling nauseous on and off today, good to know that’s a normal side effect.
I’ve only had the flu jab, might be worth enquiring about pneumacoccal (is that yearly too?)

Good to hear you’re doing well on the biologics, I’ve been quite worried about some of the more serious side effects but as my hands and feet are affected quite badly I thought this might give me a better quality of life.

ClairyB4

@Arciere can I also ask how often you have your bloods checked? Something I forgot to ask 😬

jamieA

Hi @ClairyB4

I've been on adalimumab (Amgevita) for PsA since late July 2021. I was told early on that the regular blood tests are the same frequency as methotrexate which I'm also on - every 3 months once the initial phase is completed.

I know we are all different in how we react to drugs but I've never had any form of reaction to adalimumab that I'm aware of.

In my case 3 weeks after starting Amgevita I could feel a difference and after 2 months I was able to hand back the elbow crutches I'd needed to use to walk since my PsA had struck rapidly in late 2020.

I hope you have a good response to it.

ClairyB4

Hi @jamieA

Thank you so much for your positive feedback 🙏 it’s really appreciated.
Great to hear you’re doing so well, I can’t wait to see the positive impact it has on me

Arciere

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/731856#Comment_731856

Every three months - but I haven’t totally kept to that. Life gets in the way etc although I had to sign an agreement of which a condition was to participate in regular blood tests with the sanction being the loss of the prescription - or something like that.

The pneumacoccal vaccine was also a condition of the prescription so you could check - think it might be a one time thing - not sure - they were keen that I had it, is all I know. .

ClairyB4

@Arciere thank you.

I double checked I had the pneumacoccal about 10 years ago (I’m presuming it lasts?)

I’ll check re-blood tests but every 3 months isn’t too bad

Eeyore

Hello @ClairyB4

I had the pneumococcal vaccine 8 years ago but when I was started on Methotrexate 12 months ago the consultant suggested I have a booster and then again every 5 years. My GP wouldn't do it voluntarily (they have to save money where they can, I understand that) but the hospital asked him to and it was done! And they have put it on my records to give again in 5 years time. The vaccine is normally just a one-off but when we are on MTX and/or biologics we do need that extra protection.

deny63

I started my first biological drug this week and I've been fine so far I'm more worried about going out and getting germs I've never had a flu jab and I 61 years old and I was planning on getting any now reading all the comments I don't know what to do it's taken me 2 months to actually start the drug because of my anxiety and how bad the methotrexate was the side effects were bad I just stopped taking the injection now I'm just hoping this new one works for me I've had know quality of life for so long just laying in bed.

ClairyB4

@Eeyore thanks for the advice, I’ll check with my surgery about a booster.

ClairyB4

@deny63

I completely understand your anxiety!! I’ve improved a lot of my health issues with lifestyle changes, alternative treatments and weight loss. On the whole I feel so much better than I have in years. Having said that my hands and feet have got much worse over the past year and as I’ve also tried all the horrible disease modifying drugs (with awful side effects) and they didn’t help, I don’t feel like there’s much choice left!
I’m also anxious and a bit worried about the increased risks of serious infections and skin cancer…… but I understand if this drug works it can be life changing