Humeria

[02tkwillx]

I am going to recieve my first injection of humeria tomorrow ( actually 2 shots as I'm new to it). I am a little worried... Not because of the injection. I am worried because I read lots of posts about people getting infections and have to come off them and try another one. There's only about five to try. What happens if you get infections with all of them or they just stop working. What's can RA suffers try next? I have been on steroids for a long time and will be weaning off them once the biologics start working and really don't want to go back on them. Has this happened to any of you ? :))

[Hidden]

I've got a fungal infection that may or may not be connected to Humira in some way. However, I've been on Humira for over a year and it has kept me well. My mobility was okay before I started it but some of my joints had been very swollen for up to 3 years. The joint swelling went down very quickly and my okay mobility became good & is now even gooder!

Some of us eventually get infections. And those that do are likely to be over-represented here because, after all, sites like this are where you post to when you need information or understanding. We're never going to get a true picture of just how many people have a very easy ride with these drugs ..... because why would they post?

I'd say ditch the steroids and give Humira a go with confidence and optimism.

[02tkwillx in reply to Hidden]

Yes, that's very true what you say. It's just me over thinking and being a bit panicky because I have tried 3 DMARDS and none of them worked for me. Thanks for your reply and so pleased biologics are working for you

[Hidden in reply to 02tkwillx]

In my experience the DMARDs and the bios are quite different. I think many of us don't respond that well to DMARDs & I suspect that if bios were cheaper they'd be used instead of DMARDs much earlier on in many cases.

[helixhelix in reply to Hidden]

I'm sure price does come into it, but there's a fair bit of research that shows that combination therapy DMARDs work just as well (if not better) than biologics. So if they suit you then there's really no problem with them. And just as you said, if it works well why post? I do actually believe that people like me who do well on DMARDs are in the majority. There are hundreds of thousands of people with RA in UK, and only about 5,000 (?) members on here so that tells me that there's a huge silent majority that are taking the drugs and could be skipping about without a qualm.

What's needed is a way to work out which drug will work best for each person....

[Hidden in reply to helixhelix]

I do agree helixhelix. The overriding consideration is what works for each individual and for many that may be well be DMARDs.

[DC56]

I'm Dawn I've been on Humira since January not sure if it's working for me ,my bloods have come back good so hang on in there .

[Heathersmum69]

Hi 02tkwilx,

I have had two different medications,Methortrexate and Sulphasalazine. Both of them gave me bad reactions. I am waiting to go on to Biologics. My nurse has said that I have to get the Sulphasalazine out of my system for a couple of weeks,then she will put me on the Biologics. Not sure what one they try first.

Everything has side affects. If the medication works,some side effects are worth it if it means no pain. That's how I see it anyway.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

Xx

[ladydeerthorpe]

I have been on Humira for 2 years, it did wonders for my R.A. I have now been diagnosed with terminal abdominal cancer which the Doctors say has been building up for 2 years. I am wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.

I know that it is possible that there is no connection.

[Hidden in reply to ladydeerthorpe]

So sorry to hear about your cancer ladydeerthorpe. Although there have been very rare cases of lymphoma reported in people taking Humira it is always difficult to know whether the cancer would have developed anyway.

Reports of people with other types of cancer are exceedingly rare. Cancer now affects 1 in 3 people so many people will go on to get cancer regardless of other conditions or drugs.

I do hope that you are getting the best possible treatment for your cancer. Best wishes to you,

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[02tkwillx in reply to ladydeerthorpe]

I am very sorry to hear this but I suppose it is always at the back of your mind if biologics caused this. I hope you're getting the best care. Xx

[ladydeerthorpe in reply to 02tkwillx]

Thank you O2tkwillx.

[susanJ50]

You only stop injections for the infections. Once the infection has cleared you can start it back up. Its the same with all the injections. I was on humeria for a year, with the odd infection in between. But humeria wasn't working for me. A lot of the RA injections are trial and error but fingers crossed tho works for you. Just go with the flow. 😃 xx

[EmmaS-NRAS NRAS]

Hi 02tkwillx,

Good news that you are starting your Humira injections and I do hope they prove to be the medication for you. There are actually eight Biologic treatments that are in use in the UK, they are:

the anti-TNF drugs (adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, etanercept, infliximab and golimumab)

tocilizumab

rituximab

and abatacept

However, there is always research taking place into new treatments for RA, and a key area for research at the moment is into identifying ‘biomarkers’ in a person’s blood or in their genes, that can identify the most appropriate therapy for that individual.

You can find lots of information on Biologic drugs and the latest research on future RA treatments on the NRAS website but if you have any further questions or concerns, do contact the NRAS Helpline (free phone [phone] or email [e-mail])

Kind regards

EmmaS-NRAS

[02tkwillx]

Thanks to you all for your replies.

I had two injections today. My nurse done the first and my daughter done the second for me. I will hopefully do it myself soon but at the moment my right wrist is badly affected and I have no strength in it to press the Syringe down.

It wasn't really that painful at all. I am know waiting to see the results. :))