Adalimumab

[Granblue]

I have been on Hydroxychloroquine for 2 years and methotrexate for 6 months. Today I had to have bloods and chest x-ray as they want to start me on Adalimumab. Really hate the thought of another medication. I just wonder exactly what the medication is doing to my body. Already had a blip last month with high liver levels. Back to normal now. Any advice. X

[TheBoys]

hi

You’ve got my sympathy- I know how you feel.

What with my meds for RA and the beta blockers for blood pressure I slowed down and put on weight. Becoming pre diabetic.

But - at the start of my RA journey I was in pain and seizing up. Adalimumab completely changed things for me and put me into remission and my mobility is good now.

I m now on weight watchers and losing weight. My goal is to come off the beta blocker.

Maybe persevere for a while and see how you get on with adalimumab..? I did have break from my ra meds in 2022/3 for two months and it did seem to help ; a bit like a detox. I checked with my rheumatologist at the time and they were fine and underfoot my reasons ( I d had lots of infections and was very run down)

Paul

[virtualreality]

I totally understand this, every time a new medication is tried there is the apprehension of what this one will do, what side effects there might be and whether it will work. I feel the same, and I think it's natural especially in the early days of dealing with RA - I suppose over time you get used to it but like you I'm only a couple of years in so a lot is still new to me.

On the other hand.....there is also the chance the adalimumab might make all the difference to your quality of life. I started this medication recently and have had no problems whatsoever so far - very few side effects - and just waiting to see if it's going to have the desired effect on my RA symptoms. If the hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate aren't doing enough to treat your symptoms, it could be worth giving it a go - if it doesn't work you can always stop it or try something else.

One thing that's helped me at various stages of being diagnosed with RA and starting different medications is learning about other people's experiences with the same things. I find it reassuring somehow to know that other people are going through the same processes as me and coming out the other side!

This forum is brilliant for that of course, but I've also appreciated listening to people's experiences on YouTube where lots of people make videos talking about how they've found different aspects of their treatment. There are lots of videos about starting adalimumab if you think this could be helpful for you too: youtube.com/results?search_...

Wishing you all the best, whatever you decide.

[Zip1]

hi

Finding the right fit with meditation can be long and worrisome but please give Adalimumab a try - it was the turning point for me and worked wonders for me. I have since changed to benapali which is also working well! Good luck, I hope it works well for you!

[Tealblue2]

can I just quickly ask how long you all found for Adalimumab to work? I started it just under a month ago and have had 2 injections. I’m finding the first week a noticeable improvement, but the second week is hard going Thanks

[Sunshinereturns]

Adalimumab the game changer for me too. I’ve been on it only 4 months. I had a huge change from the very first injection. It’s taken 3 months to fully kick in and I’m so grateful for it.

[Brushwork]

I think we all worry a little, about the impact of the drugs we take.

For me, it’s the quality of life the drugs give me now that wins the argument. When in pain and feeling the full impact of the disease, leaves you feeling overwhelmed and so very low, I know I’d rather risk any potential damage for some good years with good quality of life.

Now I make the most of today, hope my good fortune continues…

I hope your fears can be allayed

[oldtimer]

Adding adalumimab was marvellous and made me realise how much I had just been putting up with. swollen joints almost disappeared and I became almost pain-free. After years of being told that was as good as I could do as I wasn't eligible for biological treatment until they charged the criteria, it has been really wonderful. I have other problems now but I would encourage you to go ahead. Good luck.

[Sapphire1701]

Hi granblue, coping with all the medications can be incredibly overwhelming, but just to share for me personally Adalimubab was absolute life changer for me in terms of pain. I had been in constant knee pain, which none of the DMARDS touched and I couldn’t tolerate MTX. Within a day on the biologic my pain has hugely reduced.

I felt very overwhelmed in starting but 3 months in I’m just so relieved to now be on it (and with minimal side effects) I do still get tired and get flares related to my hormones mostly, but I’d say 75% improvement..

I hope you feel able to give it a try and really hope it works for you.

Wishing you all the best x

[Otto11]

hi starting any new med is always a worry. From my experience Adalimumab was the best Biologic that I’ve been on. I was on it for 12 years & it changed my life. I can’t remember how long it took to kick in as it was 18 years ago. Have a look at NRAS site there is lots of info about different Biologics & how they work. Good luck.

[netballnow]

April 23 I started on Adilamumab and within 10 days a totally different person. I actually feel fortunate to be on this and would rather have any meds than the chronic pain of RA. I have the side effect of a chesty cough which disappeared in December to be replaced by an itchy rash. Rash went in February and back to the chesty cough hey ho. I still take Methotrexate 25mg but in January they are looking at reducing this and possibly stretching out the Adilamumab to one every three weeks.

Do go with it, you have nothing to lose and all to gain. I wish you all the best.

[Keepinmovin]

Dear Granblue, Like you, I wonder what medications are doing to my body. However, hydroxychloroquine has worked well for me, keeping RA swelling, pain and progression at bay. It stops the immune defences from attacking my joints. I have not had any damage to the macula at the back of my eyes from taking hydroxychloroquine. I have been told that I can take it indefinitely. I did have 2 years respite, but now take one tablet per day. I make sure I get plenty of omega 3 fish oils in my diet and I walk a lot. I'm 72. I've had to learn strategies to deal with worry, as I believe that worry and anxiety contributed to the onset of my disease. I have also had to learn to rest during the day, as I used to be constantly 'on the go' and overdoing it! ( A friend of mine has taken methotrexate for some years and says it works well for her. )

[M_dinjo]

I take Adalimumab and it works for me. No side effects, unlike methotrexate which made me feel sick and caused hair loss. All we can do is try what is available to us until we find what works for us. I hope that this works for you. Good luck.

[meemmeem]

Hi, I was taking hydroxychloroquine for more than ten years until it stopped working for me. Inow take yuflyma and it's working fine. Should have been on it years ago before all the damage to my joints