Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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ReeDee43 02/11/2012

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I've logged on and it's been a doozy for me lately. First off, I take my Humira injection on Tuesday and seems to wear off by Sunday. I was having a really ruff time last week so my rheumy had me up my dosage of prednisone to 10mg for 3 days then 5, then stop. Anyway, when I raised it to 10 my ankles were in so much pain and my legs were swelling too (I hate that stuff).

Anyway, when I woke up early Tuesday to take my injection I didn't want to wake my husband so I didn't turn on the light. However, the computer and T.V were on so I thought the lighting was sufficient. Well, within minutes of injecting myself I felt something wet roll down my leg. I looked down and the pen wasn't all the way pressed on my thigh. I don't know if my body rejected it or if I did it by not pressing hard enough. I called the nurse and she said I would have to wait until my next injection regardless of how much went in.

I guess not much went in because I experienced a huge flare the next day. So back on the prednisone pack until tomorrow. I guess Humira really does work since missing just one dose made me go downhill. I'm taking Humira along with Arava. I was doing so well for a few weeks now I just feel kind of crappy. Can't wait for my next injection and my visit with the rheumy next week. It seems I should be able to miss an injection without so much pain. My mom asked how was I doing the other day and I just broke down in tears. I miss being able to leave the house by 8am and run my errands. Now I have to wait until noon to feel the full effect of everything. I hope I can get this monster more under control for 2012. Sorry for the lengthy post but I'm just venting.

sharonouch 02/11/2012

I hope you get everything under control.. boy do I know about not being able to get going in the mornings. When I have a 10 a.m appointment it is barely doable. Next week, hubby is away and I have to have someone come and walk the dog. Hoping for better days for all.

deleted_user 02/11/2012

I learned a hard lesson this year. I found out that once you find a biologic that works for you; it will not always. I realized that we have to be ready to take the downs with the ups. Finally got back on enbrel and it seems like it's working again (second time around) when I get the upper respiratory "crud" for the second time. This time have to take antibiotics to get rid of it. I was almost off the prednisone. I had almost gotten down past 5mg to 3.75 and was so looking forward to it.

Prednisone is great for the flares when you first take it. But I have been on it since the end of November and am having those horrible side effects from it. Just hoping RA doesn't flare up while I'm waiting to take enbrel again.

Us, RA people, have to be pretty flexible. lol

deleted_user 02/11/2012

I accidentally pushed the inject button while prepping for my humira shot and sprayed the entire shot across my room. Those things have an amazing amount of pressure. It made me cry at the time, but it was kinda funny later since I had another shot in the fridge and my insurance covered most of it. I can't believe how difficult all of the auto inject pens and syringes are since most people with moderate and severe RA have some malformation / immobility of the hands.

I hope you feel better! I would talk to your doctor and see if you can't move your dose up a bit, even if by a few days.

aggie83 02/11/2012

Hope you feel better soon.

Dreamchaser-Linda 02/11/2012

I did the same thing with mtx injection. I stuck needle in my arm, and It poured out of my arm. Left a really nasty bruise.

I'm a little blue too, I understand how you feel. Stupid disease. *hug*

deleted_user 02/12/2012

Ree, When I went on Simponi, I had leftover shots of humira and enbrel. I donated them at my dr. office for when others had an emergency and couldn't get their meds. Maybe your drs office has extra meds also? Can't hurt to ask.
Good luck,
Joanie

Christine26 02/12/2012

Hi ReeDee, Glad to see you back on DH. Sorry you are having a difficult time. How long have you been on Humira. Would it be time to talk about starting on another Rheumatologist? I have been through most of the biologics because they have stopped working for me. Hope you are feeling better soon. Real bummer with the medicine not going in. Those click pens you have to push them in hard and wait until you hear the second click before you release the pressure. Good luck with everything and hope you feel better soon.

Christine26 02/12/2012

I meant DS Ree Dee.

deleted_user 02/12/2012

That's one of my biggest fears whenever I do my Enbrel injection-- that I will miss and spill an enormous amount of money down my leg.

(((HUGS)))

Dreamchaser-Linda 02/12/2012

I told my doctor my money situation was not very good one month, and he gave me an injection free, to take home. They keep samples at doctors, tell rheumy what happened, I bet he or she will give you a free sample. He has actually done this twice. I have a 2000.00 deductible, so at first if the year, it always kills me, he is really cool. Those deductibles are a booger when the new comes around.

Lifeis2short 02/12/2012

ReeDee...that is so GRRRRRR!! I know how you feel about waiting for the next treatment! My Remicade was not working and they upped the dosage and BAM...new me! It's very frustrating what we go through and nobody really can understand, except us of course, or anyone else who has a permanent disease. If the Humira doesn't start working soon I would tell the Doctor that you want to try another medication. There are too many choices out there to wait beyond 3 months for something to work. I really hope you feel better soon..HUGS!

ReeDee43 02/12/2012

Thank all of you for your responses and support. That's why I love this group-especially in my time of need. Christina-I've been on Humira since September and did work well at first. I also inject myself once a week and I feel it should last longer than 4 days. I have an appt on the 14th so I think I'll miss Tuesday's injection to discuss other options. Chime in if any you think this is advisable.

Thanks for the hug, Dreamchaser and all the good advise from the rest of you. Have a great Sunday.

deleted_user 02/13/2012

I had that happen with Imitrex auto-ject and swore from then on I would never use an auto-ject again. I did end up using an ergotamine injectable, twice, that didn't work.
I agree with what others have said, you would think with individuals who have dexterity impairments, whether it be directly related to inflammation and reversible OR from inflammation induced malformations . . . they would be a little easier to use.

I agree with jdesign, check with your rheumy's office . . . I too have donated meds to doctor's offices . . . Keppra (before it was generic and uber expensive), etc.

deleted_user 02/13/2012

Forgot to mention:
One thing I found that helps is set my alarm for two hours BEFORE I want to start moving . . . take meds. Go back to sleep, wake up 30 minutes before I need to move and start gentle stretches. Play a card game on my phone, check e-mail on my phone, etc . . .
Do ankle pumps, rotate my ankles, etc.
Helps when I first get up . . .

deleted_user 02/14/2012

So sorry that you had that happen with your Humeria. Was the nurse your Rheumy's nurse or someone from Abbott? Why are they having you wait to take another shot?
I sort of do what Rose does. My husband wakes me up in the am (when he gets up) he hands me my pain meds, than I go back to sleep. By the time I wake up for real, the meds have ot into my system/

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