Swithcing to Humira

[jperng]

Just came back from my rhemy's office. He agrees with me.. it's time to ditch enbrel and give Humira a try. He also give me a TB skin test. I wasn't sure what was that about but I am suppose to call him back in 72 hours if I get a bump bigger than a quarter. I guess I better make sure I keep a quarter in my pocket on Thursday for measurment purpose. :)
I am crossing Humira will do the same wonder that Enbrel did for me once upon a time.
Intresting thing is he also give me a kit by Abbott that is suppose to help with the co-pay $300.00 for the first 6 month.
The number on the kit is 877 277 8634 and it's powered by Mckesson empowering healthcare. I am not sure if this is common knowledge for people who uses Humira. If not please ask your doc about it. Every penny counts now these days.. :)

I will keep you guys posted on my switch and how it's doing.
My Arthritis is not as bad as before but the skin is flaring up again. I say about 20% coverage right now. mostly on my legs and torso.

[Ihurt]

I start my first injection on March 1. Weening off the Remicade now. I'll make you a deal. you keep me posted and I will keep you posted lol. Something has to give. Im tired of the pain, and now the P iseven increasing despite the MXT increase in dosage to 20mg. More nausea, more P? What else is there in life eh?:( (I know there's gotta be more than this.)

So here's to our new meds .......hope and pray it works. I know we both could use the break!

Elaine

[oakrai42]

Please check out the info on Humira if you're questioning why you are being screened for TB before taking Humia...

http://www.psoriasis.org/treatment/psoriasis/biologics/humira.php

http://www.webmd.com/drugs/drug-64713-Humira+SubQ.aspx?drugid=64713&drugname=Humira+SubQ

As for your rheumy saying call back in 72hrs if the bump is bigger than a quarter... well... this is just my opinion... but that is the WORST suggestion I've ever heard for properly diagnosising a TB test.

Read here about TB tests, especially more towards the bottom:

http://www.webmd.com/hw/lab_tests/hw203560.asp

I think it's important for everyone to understand that Enbrel and Humira, although they seem similar, are two completely different medications and when switching, we should be analysing them as if we've never heard of them. Humira has been completely different for me than Enbrel. It has been better than Enbrel with less side effects, and only slightly better on the treatment side. I've been on it for just over 2 months now. The best part is less shots, however sometimes they sting like crazy, even when the syringe has been out for a while and warmed up with my hands. Oh well... cest la vie.

Good luck with the switch. I hope it works wonders for you.

-Steve

[TheOne1313]

I too am starting Humira (today actually).........i think we should keep us all updated on how everyone is doing :)

[jperng]

Woo wee! I got approved and will get my meds tomorrow.... I heard it hurts more than the enbrel... (enbrel doesn't hurt at all for me) I am looking forward to see the new outcome.. and getting ready for another summer where I can enjoy shorts.. :D

[TheOne1313]

Hey if the enbriel was working so great for ya, im curious as to why you are switching to Humira?

[oakrai42]

Woo wee! I got approved and will get my meds tomorrow.... I heard it hurts more than the enbrel... (enbrel doesn't hurt at all for me) I am looking forward to see the new outcome.. and getting ready for another summer where I can enjoy shorts.. :D


It does sting like hell if you don't let it sit out for a while. I've found that I have to let it sit out for an hour, then grasp the syringe in my fingers to finish getting it to room temp. Then I still have to inject it very slowly or it stings like crazy... but it's only once every two weeks. I can take a little pain for a couple seconds once every two weeks :).

-Steve

[TheOne1313]

Steve

How long have u used it? How long did it take to see results? Any bad side effects (besides the stinging lol)

[oakrai42]

Been on it for just over 2 months. I was fairly clear from Enbrel and lots of topicals, and my PA was gone too, but I wanted to guinea pig the new medication. So far no PA has returned, and I'm using less topicals. Only a couple of stubborn areas that I need to hit with steroids, but the Humira seems to be keeping it all at bay. Once the summer hits and I can get some good 'ol natural UVB, I won't need the topicals anymore. Plus, the longer you're on it, the better it will work (I think). Enbrel took like 3 months + a low dose of cyclo to work for me. Then once I cleared, it kept it stable for a while. I'm hoping that in a couple months, I won't need any topicals and the Humira will be built up enough in my system that it will be all I need for the meantime.

-Steve

[jperng]

Hey if the enbriel was working so great for ya, im curious as to why you are switching to Humira?
Stopped working after almost 2 years... but I had a good run with it...

[luvwinnie]

Stopped working after almost 2 years... but I had a good run with it...

I dread this happening! :eek:

[TheOne1313]

Me too. I get myself worked up thinking something gonna keep me cleared and then my body becomes immune to the medication and its the same thing over again.

Started humira yesterday hope it works.

[oakrai42]

Sometimes it just takes going off something for a while and then going back on it some time later for it to work again for you. Like steroids for instance. Our bodies build an immunity to them, so we have to stop taking them, but after a while the same steroid will work again.

I experience this with sunlight. By the end of the summer, it's not working as well as it did in the beginning of the summer when it was hitting that fresh "just outta winter" skin. After being hit with rays all summer, by September, the effect isn't the same... it still works, just not as well. Each summer though it works again beautifully.

-Steve

[jperng]

Did anyone do a PT skin test before humira? My reaction is kinda weird. There is a bump but it's not bigger than a quarter but it does itch. I was told to go to my doctor's office again tomorrow so they can check it again. anyone else having that problem?

[oakrai42]

Did anyone do a PT skin test before humira? My reaction is kinda weird. There is a bump but it's not bigger than a quarter but it does itch. I was told to go to my doctor's office again tomorrow so they can check it again. anyone else having that problem?

Don't know why you'd get a PT test before starting Humira... PT tests are usually for testing blood clotting:

Prothrombin time (PT) is measured to:

-Determine a possible cause for abnormal bleeding or bruising.
-Monitor the effects of the medication warfarin (Coumadin), which is used to prevent blood clots. If the test is done for this purpose, it may be repeated daily at first and then less often when the correct medication dose is determined.
-Screen for deficiencies of certain blood clotting factors. The lack of some clotting factors can cause bleeding disorders similar to hemophilia.
-Screen for a vitamin K deficiency. Adequate amounts of vitamin K are needed to produce prothrombin.
-Monitor liver function. Prothrombin levels are monitored along with other tests (such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) to help evaluate liver function. For more information, see the medical tests Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT).

-Steve

[SandraJean]

Did you maybe mean a TB test, not a PT test?

I get a PT test every month as I'm on coumindin. I'm also on Humira and before I started that I had a TB test.

Sandy

[ouchyk]

Jerry,

I'm sure you meant a TB test, I have mixed up initials every now and then!

I had a TB test before Enbrel along with a chest X-ray and yet another TB test after my Enbrel wash out before Humira. I never questioned my rheumy as to why, maybe our insurance co requires this? Who knows. When I taught I had to have a TB test with a physical every year, it was required of our school as we were an inner city school with lots of students from around the world. Not a big deal. It didn't bother me.

I hope your fine...Let us know how your test turns out!

Anyway, I hope that you get great relief from Humira I wish you all the best with it. Also to you Steve, Elaine and One :) good luck.



Karen

[TheOne1313]

Its amazing. In just a few days.....the flakying has gone down so much. I do have a question.....ever since I start Humira...i've been itching alot more...is this a sign that its working? When I told my gf about it itching, she said that its just because the medicine is working......I dont know tho. I do think its kinda odd tho because I definitely wasnt itching nearly as much. Oh well.....as long as this works, ill take a lil itching :)

[MikeK]

I'm glad that it seems to be working! Your girlfriend may be right, sometimes severe itch is a sign that the psoriasis is starting to clear! Here's a link to a thread that has some suggestions on how to deal with the itch: http://www.psoriasis.org/forum/showthread.php?p=213895&highlight=corn+starch#post213895.

I hope this helps.

Mike

[TheOne1313]

Wow i cant believe all the stuff you know about psoriasis mike. Thanks for all your help.

[Cat13]

I have taken 3 humira injections. It is working very well. My P has even got better and is not itching as much. I almost feel normal again. The only side effect I am experiencing is a horrible headache. Especially the first couple days after I inject. I too have been leaving it out to reach room temp. I have never tried enbrel so I can't compare humira to it. I does sting a little to me, but it is not anything like the pain I was having before I started on it. Those headaches though are making me dread taking my shot. I know I have to do it. Overall I fell so much better only after a month and a half. It is almost like a miracle drug....so far.

Cathy

[vshorter]

Cathy,

I am getting ready to switch from Enbrel to Humira, just waiting on the Humira to arrive, but I would occasionally get headaches following the Enbrel injections. I'm curious as to how long after your shot when the headaches start and how long they usually last? Just wondering if they are similar to what I experienced with Enbrel.

I did find that taking my shot before bed helped sometimes, because then by morning the worse part of the headache (if I was going to get one) was gone. I didn't always get them - just occasionally. Maybe that will help.

Vicki

[Cat13]

Vicki,

I would get the headache about 10 minutes after the injection. It would gradually get worse the next day and then go away the day after that. It has done it every time I take the shot. Maybe it will go away soon. Headache is a common side effect of humira. I hope you don't get a headache too.

Cathy

[vshorter]

Cathy,

Wow, that's some headache :eek: Mine weren't that bad from Enbrel. Now I have had some migraines last that long. Do you get migraines also or just these headaches from the Humira?

I'll keep my fingers crossed that I don't get them and I hope that they fade for you eventually. Some side-effects do for some people.

Good Luck

Vicki

[lulu'smom]

Hi all! I'm Nancy. I've had psoriasis for 20 years. I went on Enbrel last December, after a horrible flare that resulted in a PA diagnosis. I was 90% covered in primarily guttate type p, that turned into plaque. Enbrel offered pretty much 100% clearance until this December when I hit the perfect storm of:

strep throat (for 6 weeks- couldn't kick it and youngest daughter had a strep diaper rash that we didn't know of!!)
went off enbrel during antibiotics
insurance lapse, no access to enbrel

Major flare occured! I've been back on enbrel for 6 weeks of 2 shots/week. No results and my PA is debilitating at this point. I'm so depressed. It is just the worst thing now. I have 2 young kids etc etc whine whine whine. Anyway...

I went to a new rheumy that I like so much more. She is switching me to Humira next week.

So, your thread was very interesting. Forgive me, as I am slow to catch people's names etc. But... I was so excited to see that one of you started on the 22nd and already have some results today!?!?

Anyway, here I am, flakes & all!

Nancy

[vshorter]

Hi Nancy,

Welcome to the boards. Sorry about the reason you are here though. :( I really feel for you having to take care of two small kids on top of dealing with the PA flaring like it is. It's all I can do to take care of me!

I was on Enbrel for almost a year with it working at about 60-75% and decided to try Remicade. After 5 mo. of Remicade doing absolutely nothing I went back on Enbrel, and like you, I got no response. :confused:

Here's hoping we both do well on Humira. ;) And don't ever worry about whining - this is the place to do it. We all have been there and done that and completely understand. Don't be a stranger - come back and keep posting! :p

Vicki

[oakrai42]

Welcome Nancy!

Funny how some of these treatments work... enbrel worked wonders for me (PA wise) in literally days.. I'm on Humira just to test it out (guinea pig myself as I call it) and see what it does. So far, I've only had some headaches with the first couple of treatments, but no change in my P (my PA is still pretty much in remission from the Enbrel). My P isn't very severe at all right now, and Humira seems to be holding it back... only time will tell!

Good luck with Humira, hopefully it'll work wonders for you.

-Steve

[TheOne1313]

I only been on for a couple days and my chest and back are completely clear........this is the most amazing medicine ive ever been on.......my legs are still pretty bad, but the flaking has done dramatically :)

Now only if my hands and legs would get better :)

[lulu'smom]

Thanks for the kind welcomes Steve & Vicki!

TheOne1313, that is so exciting about your quick response to Humira. How bad was your back and chest prior to starting? I pretty much look like a textbook case of guttate, if you look at photos anywhere. Pretty much entire body covered in welts and red itchy dots/circles etc.

It's the PA that is getting me down today. I just don't have any energy as well. My husband suggested that we "take a hike"? What?? I got so angry. :mad: He just really does't get it. I assume he thinks that if I "power thru it" maybe I'll feel better. I wish 10 minutes of this on him, just for some understanding.

I'd share that spoons theory with him, but he would just hink I was being dramatic.

Thanks to all of you for making a nice place to share experiences as well as whine!

Nancy

[TheOne1313]

Orginally my back and chest were i guess about 50% covered........but then when I went off Raptiva.......i had a huge flare....i mean my whole body was covered......100%.......now my chest and back are practically clear and my legs and arms im noticing some clearance as well......amazing....i havent even been on this Humira for a week now.

[lulu'smom]

Wow! That is a quick response.

My shots arrive on Wed. I'm really excited to do the switch. Who ever thought I'd be excited to give myself injections of a drug with questionable side effects. Funny what we'll put up with to have a better quality of life.

[oakrai42]

... Who ever thought I'd be excited to give myself injections of a drug with questionable side effects. Funny what we'll put up with to have a better quality of life.

Yup... but it depends on each person's interpretation of 'questionable side effects'.. The sun MAY give you cancer, but people still sun bathe... Eggs MAY raise your cholesterol, but we still eat them... Bacon MAY have carcinogens that cause cancer, but we still it it... You MIGHT get in a car accident on the way to work, but we still drive... Humira MAY make you more susceptible to lymphoma and nervous system disorders, but I still stick myself in the gut twice a month :) :)... and as with everything, there's always ways to reduce your risk... Don't sun bathe for too long and have a derm check your skin... don't eat too many eggs with bacon (yeah... ok :) )... drive defensively and be alert to what others are doing on the road... and as I believe, exercise and eat right (or as best you can) to help battle possible side effects of these new treatments... the healthier you are, the better your chances of your system remaining stable and strong.

-Steve

[TheOne1313]

In all honestly...if u look at the side effects, they arent too too bad. I mean to me.....id much rather do the injections then go on MTX and have to get a liver biopsy in a couple years. All the side effects (at least with the Humira) are seemingly effects you can live with.....maybe a cold, an infection, nothing too huge. Of course, we may find out later on theres more serious side effects but right now im willing to take the chance. Then again I guess its easy for me to say that since I havent had any side effects yet.....might be different if i start experiencing some.

One side effect I didnt like was on Raptiva.......i had developed arthritis.......that was something I just couldnt live with......hopefully ill never have to deal with that again.

[lulu'smom]

The lowered immunity to fight infections doesn't get to me too much. I had been on Enbrel for 11 months, and do seem to get sick a little more often, and have a harder time healing any sort of cut. In fact, a small scrape on my hand is taking 4 weeks to hea.

I'm more worried about the long term potential side effects of lymphoma. But really, I can't say my risk of developing that is more than any other cancer due to heredity or environmental factors. These are things I can't control. I also had to choose the lesser of 2 evils (painful pa/100% coverage of psoriasis) or potential life threatening side effects.... I'd rather go for quality of life now!

My shots come Wed. I'm very excited.

[TheOne1313]

Exactly.

And they havent concluded that it definitely leads to Lymphonia. At least I dont think they have. Besides......I want my life back now, I'll worry about that down the road if i happen to get it. The Humira has cleared me up a bit and the arthritis is completely gone (although it was gone before I got on it, apparently it was just a side effect of Raptiva and went away as soon as I got off it).