Humera

[Hodc]

Hi I'm new here. Ophthalmologist wants to put me on humera. How have people found it? I'm a bit concerned as my immune system is already low, due to methotrexate and mycophenolate. Does this drug make you more vulnerable? And how is it giving yourself the Injections?

[helixhelix]

I’m on a different biologic, which is also an anti-tnf so quite similar, as well as MTX. I am sensible about hygiene; wash my hands regularly, don’t eat food from open buffets, clean cuts and scrapes properly - that sort of thing. And I haven’t had any problems with getting infections, colds or coughs. These drugs do compromise your immune system, but you still have one! Otherwise we’d all be living in plastic bubbles. But best to discuss with your rheumy as I have no experience of the immune suppressing effects of mycophenalate

And the injections are easy and painless.

[Hodc in reply to helixhelix]

Thanks

[Ghugs]

It's brilliant ... began working immediately and have had no symptoms since ... been on it 18 months now and would recommend it to anyone. I use the injector pen and it's less that a little bee sting. Don't worry at all.

[Hodc in reply to Ghugs]

Thanks.

[singlecrochet in reply to Ghugs]

Hi Ghus. Diagnosed in January of this year. On MTX, adding Humira TONIGHT!... SCARY! So...you saw improvement right away? Any side effects??

[Biscuitman]

I started on Methotrexate about 3 years ago - tablets to start and then on to injections which wasn't too bad with the auto injection pen.

However, the methotrexate worked but I had some side effects (stomach/some hair loss)

so I switched to Sulfasalazine which I'm now on. It's appeared to work until early this year when i've deteriorated with some stiffness. Can't get an appointment with the consultant as NHS is in such a state with staff recruitment. There are always problems whatever drug you take!!

[Hodc in reply to Biscuitman]

Thanks. Im already on methotrexate and sulfasalazine. If i go on humera, I will stop sulfasalazine.

[Jaybird]

I have been on Humira for 11 years and it changed my life..for the better. Luckily I have had no problems. Unfortunately I have now been taken off Humira, as I have been told it is too expensive and have been put on a Bio similar, not feeling a 100% at the moment but realise I must give it time. I tried many different medications before Humira but none worked. I am lucky as my husband gives me injections in my Tum, does not hurt. I am also on methotrexate. I realise I have been very lucky to have found medication that works for me, hope you have the same results

[Hodc in reply to Jaybird]

Thanks for that. Have you been any more susceptible to infection. At the moment I get frequent chest infections and utis, and just wondered if these would happen more often. Last chest infection was 6 weeks, frequent antibiotics, taken off methotrexate, which caused eye to flare-up resulting in possibly being put on Humera. Just had an MRI today, on the head, to make sure I don't have MS.

[Jaybird]

oh my goodness you have been in 'the wars' so to speak, I have been very lucky since being on Humira, before Humira I tried numerous drugs and was almost in a wheelchair as my RA was so aggressive, but as I said before it certainly changed my life. , but unfortunately as we all know different drugs suit different people. Do hope Humira suits you ….keep well

[Slightly_ginger]

I've been on Humira for a year after Enbrel. The Humira certainly worked better for me. I find that after 10 or 11 days the effectiveness starts to wear off my fortnightly injection, so I do know whem I'm due for my injection at least, also I know that it's working.

Hope you find it effective.

[Hodc]

Thanks all for the advice. Having been at the consultant this week, it turns out it's not actually humera but avgatir??. Don't know why he gave me the leaflet. He says it is the same thing, but I'm not sure.