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...
Hello everyone.
My PCP suspected I had Sjogren's Syndrome and ordered labs. I was found to have Sjogren's and RA. My PCP referred me to a Rheumy nearby in April 2015.
This Rheumy ordered x-rays of my hands, treated me with prednisone, methotrexate & folic acid. In between appts. I received a letter from him stating he was leaving the group for another. His new group did not accept my insurance. Other members of the initial group were in the next county.
I kept an eagle eye on my insurance company's list of approved rheumy providers. Low and behold a new rheumy joined the satellite group. He walked into the room with the nicest smile. He currently has me on 15 mg. of methotrexate (6 ea. 2.5 mg per week on Thursdays) and folic acid daily. My last visit, Thurs., he ordered labs. His nurse called me Fri. afternoon saying he wants to start me on Humira. She said my AST 32 & ALT 33 were high, sed rate 53 (dropped by 3 pts.) This weekend I read all I could on Humira . .... including the pending lawsuits. I kind of frightens me. I just thought I'd be on methotrexate for a while longer/
My PCP suspected I had Sjogren's Syndrome and ordered labs. I was found to have Sjogren's and RA. My PCP referred me to a Rheumy nearby in April 2015.
This Rheumy ordered x-rays of my hands, treated me with prednisone, methotrexate & folic acid. In between appts. I received a letter from him stating he was leaving the group for another. His new group did not accept my insurance. Other members of the initial group were in the next county.
I kept an eagle eye on my insurance company's list of approved rheumy providers. Low and behold a new rheumy joined the satellite group. He walked into the room with the nicest smile. He currently has me on 15 mg. of methotrexate (6 ea. 2.5 mg per week on Thursdays) and folic acid daily. My last visit, Thurs., he ordered labs. His nurse called me Fri. afternoon saying he wants to start me on Humira. She said my AST 32 & ALT 33 were high, sed rate 53 (dropped by 3 pts.) This weekend I read all I could on Humira . .... including the pending lawsuits. I kind of frightens me. I just thought I'd be on methotrexate for a while longer/
More and more, docs are going to the biologic drugs like Humira right away and for a specific reason. Studies have shown that your future with Ra can be determined by how the disease runs during the first 5-6 years you have it. So by keeping the inflammation at a minimum or in remission(is possible) you may stay that way for a long time and maybe for life. Took me 28 years to be diagnosed(VERY rare presentation of RA) and even I went into remission on a biologic for about 3 years. So If I can go there, so can others.
It's worth trying. The chances of getting cancer are extremely small....about the same as getting hit by lightning. Infections? Yes, they can be a problem so you learnt o give yourself a lot of TLC and avoid them. Other side effects....we all get something. But on the up side, even my life long problem with allergies has gotten better as my immune system is functioning better. My IBS has disappeared thanks to my biologic.
It really can be life changing once you find the drug that works for you.
hugs........Jen (RA since 1977)
On the asthma front, mine has improved considerably since starting Orencia(my biologic). It's auto-immune too and once you quiet down the immune system, it helps everything. Remember.....Ra is from the immune system going on hyper-drive and the drugs being it back to normal but their downfall is that it slows our immune response when an infection rears it's ugly head. I keep face masks at home and stay away from the grandkids if they are sick and even hubby when he gets sick. Every cut get a Bandaid with Antibiotics....works well. And I use antibiotics before going to the dentist or any other invasive procedure. I've been on Orencia for 7 1/2 years and no infections except an abscessed tooth that got that way from the tooth, not Orencia.
Did I mention how good my asthma has been????.....haven't even used up my inhaler I got last spring!
Worth a try?
hugs.........Jen
I also had severe asthma. I used to get infections all the time. But since I started on biologics, I rarely get sick. It seems like even when there are serious bugs floating around, I do not get sick. Which is good, because besides prednisone, I think antibiotics are the worst thing you could take.
I would not hesitate to take Humira. When It works, you will wish you could have started sooner. I think you have more to worry about being on long term prednisone than with the biologic. I say this after being on prednisone for a year, and seeing what it has done to my body.
And welcome to the group. But sorry you had to join us. I am sure your rheumatologist is doing the right thing for you. Also, with regards to the mthx pills, injections are much better -far more is absorbed. If he keeps you on the mthx, ask to change to injections Much easier, too!
Keep up on the folic acid with the methotrexate. After a bit you may see some mouth sores from the mtx and the Folic acid will definitely help to prevent them.
As for the prednisone...In my opinion that stuff is evil. It masks the symptoms of RA. Which makes it hard for you to gauge the symptoms you are experiencing as well as your triggers. It also seemed to make it harder for my rheumy to get a decent med cocktail figured out that was suited for my issues. The side effects from short time and long term use is pretty scary in itself.
I only took the Prednisone for 2 Thursdays with my Thursday dose of MTX.
My doctor has only prescribed the Humira. It is on my insurance's formulary.... now to get approved, huh?
Thank you for your warm welcome!
In answer to your question, yes, I do have a grand pulmonologist who manages both my COPD & asthma. My pulmonologist was the one encouraging me to find a rheumy ASAP because of pulmonary nodules discovered by CT in my lungs. I will definitely talk to him about the Humira. I see him soon to see about getting off oxygen. Was on oxygen 24/7 for 3 months because of my O2 Sats of 84 after a bout of acute of bronchitis. In December he modified my Oxygen Rx to just nighttime wear.
Ill need to check with my cardiologist too regarding Humira and my pacemaker. (Sick Sinus Syndrome)
Thank you for the link to the Humira home page. Ill definitely check it out this morning.
Humira has not been approved by my insurance company but it is on my formulary.
My husband & I agree with you regarding the prednisone. My husband, diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1985 has had to take prednisone over the years. It is evil!