1WeekAtATime
11-10-2007, 01:12 AM
Hey all. I have been taking Trexall for my PA, and it's making things worse, so I'm being switched to a new medicine. I haven't had the appointment to discuss options yet, but I know they want me to use Enbrel, Remicade, or Humira.
Over the summer, I used Enbrel, but had some nasty injection site reactions. The dermatologist said that if I take it and that happens again, I have to keep injecting until they've cleared. The only problem is that it took weeks to clear, and I am NOT injecting into swollen flesh.
My other options are Remicade and Humira. I'd LOVE to have Remicade infusions, but I hear the medicine stops working after a period of time for a lot of people. Otherwise, I don't care about the rat proteins or whatever is in there- I don't want to stick myself with a needle forever.
So then there's Humira, which is probably what the rheumy will want me to take. There's an injector pen now which is awesome, but I had to do Enbrel twice a week and also inject anti-coagulant into my stomach the entire summer, and I'm sick of sticking myself all the time. Also, I'm worried that if I have to do a double-dose, after 2 years I would be required to half the dose and then not feel as good, which is what someone on Enbrel had to do. If I'm going to go through the self-mutilation of injection all the time, I want it to work!
What are your thoughts/experiences with these medicines? Do all people on Remicade eventually reach a point in which it does not work anymore??
Over the summer, I used Enbrel, but had some nasty injection site reactions. The dermatologist said that if I take it and that happens again, I have to keep injecting until they've cleared. The only problem is that it took weeks to clear, and I am NOT injecting into swollen flesh.
My other options are Remicade and Humira. I'd LOVE to have Remicade infusions, but I hear the medicine stops working after a period of time for a lot of people. Otherwise, I don't care about the rat proteins or whatever is in there- I don't want to stick myself with a needle forever.
So then there's Humira, which is probably what the rheumy will want me to take. There's an injector pen now which is awesome, but I had to do Enbrel twice a week and also inject anti-coagulant into my stomach the entire summer, and I'm sick of sticking myself all the time. Also, I'm worried that if I have to do a double-dose, after 2 years I would be required to half the dose and then not feel as good, which is what someone on Enbrel had to do. If I'm going to go through the self-mutilation of injection all the time, I want it to work!
What are your thoughts/experiences with these medicines? Do all people on Remicade eventually reach a point in which it does not work anymore??