Humira? Anybody

[Chimama]

Hey anybody with a compromised immune system ( I have MCTD/with other/ like heart/)my Dr wants me to take bi weekly injections of Humira. My RF , Lupus, seems to. Seem to be flaring up at freight train speed . Right along with stage 3b wants me to take this drug.. Me of course read all the side effects and warnings and like the first paragraph mentions Sepsis! Which I nearly died from. Anyone ever taken Humira? 😊

[Bassetmommer NKF Ambassador]

HI Chimama.... this is Bassetmommer..... we love our doggies.... So yes, I was on Humira twice, I have psoriatic arthritis. The first time I took it was not good and went off it quickly and on to Enbrel, which I stayed on for 8 years. Then I went on a series of many, many other biologics through the years. Some were absolutely awful and others did not work great until Stelara. But at one point, we tried Humira again and this time is almost killed me. They thought I was having cardiac issues and went through a bunch of tests to see what was going on. I gained a ton of weight and felt pretty awful ALL THE TIME. All the tests indicated no cardiac issue and so I went off the Humira and all my symptoms stopped. I am sure that it did impact my kidneys but they won't admit that either.

The trick with biologics is to fine one that works as long as it will. But our insurance system dictates what the progression is. I have been on over 15 or 16 different ones since 2009 starting with methotrexate which also just about killed me. MY sister-in law has been on methotrexate for years and has no issues. It is so individualized. But if something makes you feel sicker and you have given it a couple of months to work.... and it is not...do not let the doctors bully you in to being sick all the time. They will try because of the insurance issues. I am now on an infusion because Medicare wouldn't pay for the Stelara shot. So instead, they have to pay for a $10,000.00 a month infusion. So frigging stupid. Good luck.

[Chimama in reply to Bassetmommer]

Yes I do love my little Chihuahua she’s my BFFThank you for your help insurance companies sure can be a pain . I’m terrified of these types of injections I miss my old rheumatologist he retired few years ago then my primary of so many years retired. My Rheumatologist wouldn’t have suggested this drug I just have a bad gut feeling about it. I do have some issues with inflammation etc but not to the extent of taking a big risk with injections unlike pills they stay in the body longer . It’s so expensive went through the normal hoops to get insurance to pay but I just don’t feel good about it like a moms intuition 😂

Thank you for your help I appreciate you and this forum 🐾

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Chimama]

Hi Chimama,

If you don't feel good about it don't do it. Trust your intuition, especially if you don't totally trust your Dr.

The few times I haven't trusted my intuition I was lucky to live to regret it.

I get Scleroderma flares so I have a bit of an idea what you're going through. My Neph is considering putting me on CellCept after he discusses with my new Rheumy if I ever get one in this small town. I've been on a referral list since May. I really miss my old Rheumy but I moved to another part of the state where there aren't many.

My last Rheumy did discuss Humira with me and we decided against it and stuck with Prednisone.

Best of luck to you.

[Sophiebun11 in reply to Bassetmommer]

Insurance is crazy the way they look at prescriptions. Back in the 90's ins. refused to cover Epi-Pens for anaphylaxis, but they'd pay thousands of dollars for an ER visit instead of $200 to let me inject myself at home. Now they finally wised up.