Humira

[Guest guest]

Enbrel is human too? There are animals used in it's production, but the actual

product is human. I am curious as to how this is produced?

In a message dated 1/14/2003 12:38:09 AM Eastern Standard Time, CTNATIVE writes:

> It is in the same family of Enbrel and Remicade , except that it is a HUMAN

> monoclonal antibody, so it is thought that it is less

> likely to STOP

> working.

[Guest guest]

(and anyone else out there), Good luck with Humira! Please

keep us posted of your experiences with Humira. I saw my

rheumatologist today and he wants me to start Humira. He said he is

seeing good responses to it. I am currently on Enbrel and

Methotrexate, but the Enbrel has not worked the same since I had to go

off to have cataract surgery last March. I put him off this time. I

have to have cataract surgery again sometime this year. I am afraid

the same thing will happen with Humira as it did with Enbrel. I guess

I am afraid to " use up " all my medication choices so quickly. I just

keep praying for a cure!!! ...Anita

> I just did a GOOGLE search on HUMIRA and it came back that the FDA

approved

> it back at the end of November 2002, and that the pharmaceutical

company

> should have it rolled out to the entire country by the beginning of

February.

> It is in the same family of Enbrel and Remicade , except that it is

a HUMAN

> monoclonal antibody, so it is thought that it is less likely to STOP

> working.

>

> Although I am aware that all these new drugs obviously could have side

> effects that none of us could possilbly know of because of the brief

amount

> of time they have been around, I am in such desperate physican shape

and have

> tried everything else that I need to try it ASAP. I will keep you

all in

> touch as to when I start it with my first injection and how it goes.

Thanks

> in advance for your prayers.

>

> S.

> Group founder

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

well, just a note to tell you all . i have been on humira since jan . it was

approved by the fda in dec on the 31st . i think i am one of the first people

in the country to get it.it is 4 times stonger than enbrel and is just as

expensive . it is given subcutaneously just like the enbrel but it comes in

its own syringe . you do not have to draw it up from the bottle and mix it .

i can tell you one thing, when you are injecting it, it burns like <heck>

[Edited by moderator ;-)].

anyway i have not noticed any effects yet and i have taken it twice . you

only take it once every other week.[once every 2 weeks] well i will be waiting

to see if this works . i am on methotrexate [for 7 years ] and am on mobic

[1x a day] and i am on elavil and i was on enbrel for 2 and a half years [but

now i am on humira] i am currently facing 2 hip replacements because of

joint damage and forget about my hands they are very crippled and thats

that. well i am living outside of boston and thats where i go for treatment.

sincerely, cathy from massachusetts

[Ed. Note: Thanks for the info (and warning!) . I'm supposed to start

Humira soon myself. Ron]

[Guest guest]

,

The pamphlet that comes with Humira says it can be administered

weekly if necessary. With the severity and longevity of your PA I

would assume weekly injections might very well be necessary. Also, it

took about 5 or 6 months for my improvement to become undeniable, so

unless your rheumy has any other suggestions or unless it interferes

with other treatments you're be taking, you might want to try

increasing the frequency of injections and sticking with it (pun

intended ;-) awhile longer before giving up on Humira.

-- Ron

> I was on Humira injections for 12 weeks, but unfortunately

> I saw no improvement. The strange thing is that my NYC

> rheumatologist has 20 plus other psoriatic arthritis patients

> all on Humira and it has worked for all of them!! I am just

> having rotten luck!!

>

> Humira is self administered by an injection once every two

> weeks- very simple!! Also- no noticeable side effects for me.

>

> S. Group founder>

>

[Guest guest]

Congratulations, Pris! Please keep us informed about how Humira works for

you. I haven't tried it. I've been on Enbrel for 2 months now and my

ankles are getting worse and worse. So, I may end up having to go on Humira

too if Enbrel doesn't start working a whole lot better right quick.

Love,

Janet in SF

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/30/2003 5:14:02 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

web63@... writes:

> I wouldn't know what else to try next. I guess there

> is not anything else to try.

> Maybe they will come out with something else.

> LET'S HOPE!!!

> Thank's for listening

We are all hoping for you .

Janet

[Guest guest]

Hello ,

Ive been on humira since it came out. It is good to me. I notice just how good

its working when i have to go off of it!

Marcy

[Guest guest]

I'll be interested to hear about your progress with humira.

I see my rheumy tomorrow ocus I'm just getting steadily worse.

He's gonna have to do something different. I'm flaring like mad.

He says when we do remmy again he is going to have me take Allergra the

night before as that helps with the infusion somehow.. He isn't going to

open my veins with d5w like they did at the hospital...

HMMMM

I just don't know if i can convince him the remmy isn't working

anymore...he seems set on giving me pain meds when I just want to stop

joint detrioration. well, slow !

Liz

~~~~~~

" The truly creative mind in any field is no more than this: A

human creature born (extraordinarily) sensitive. To him/her a touch is a

blow, a sound is a noise, a misfortune is a tragedy, a joy is an ecstasy,

a friend is a lover, and failure is death.--Pearl S. Buck

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EMAIL: juliette@... **ICQ 49746198** MSN-LizKP1952@...

PERSONAL HOMEPAGE PAGE http://members.tripod.com/~LizK

ADDult HOME PAGE: http://members.tripod.com/~LizK/addult.htm

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[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/21/2003 11:33:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

rambo@... writes:

> Nanc

>

> PS If we ever get rid of the rain we've had for the last 7 weeks, that

> could help! :-)

Hi Nanc,

Where do you live because I have the same situation here. There were 2 days

that the sun came out and I felt better and then the rain started again along

with my pain.

Janet

[Guest guest]

hi,

My name is and Im on Humira for a week. Before that I tried Enbrel for

two weeks, but had an allergic reaction to it. If u do end up on Humira, I

don't think u should have any problems with the injections. They are prefilled

and measured, unlike the Enbrel.

The only thing I can say at this point, is that the Humira injection did hurt as

the liquid went in, but not after that. I did not experience that with the

Enbrel. It may have been just my " technique " that one time, but I will see how

it goes next week.

As far as relief goes, no real change, yet. It much too soon to tell. I will

say that I have made an educated decision to come off of the MTX. Against my

doctor's wishes. I was just destroying me! I was on a very low dosage of

7.5mg, but it would render me useless for 2 days even with the folic acid. I

realize its suppose to be a remarkable combo with Biologic meds, but at the

moment it not worth the side-effects. I figure, I'm still young (27) and should

same some meds for latter as the disease progress, and besides I don't want to

start affecting my liver so much at such an early age.

My personal opinion, from someone who grow up being feed steroids and

antibiotics constantly, stay away from them as much as u can...if u have other

options. A while back I read something about a link being established between

such meds and the triggering of autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, I don't

recall where I read it, but If make perfect sense when u look at my health

history.

Hope this helps and I will post if anything changes regarding Humira!

good luck

Glenn & Rambo <rambo@...> wrote:

Hi,

Is anyone here taking this med?

Saw the rheumy on Thurs and he feels my body is just getting used to the meds

and therefore not working, I'm on MTX and Remicade. We are going to move up the

remicade to 6 weeks rather than 8 and see if the extra will build up better

resistance for me. He wanted me to go back on prednisone but I just don't wanna

do it if I don't have too.

Humira is the next drug if the increased remicades don't do it. Wondered what

experiences people are having, side effects and how long did it take to give

yourself the " shot " ? I've never done anything like that before. I do the

Imitrex injections for migrane's but that is with the plunger style and figure

it will be totally different. ONe of the things that concerns me is that my

hands aren't the best. I have difficulty hanging on to things, gripping thing

etc. Thanks for any input you can give me.

Nanc

PS If we ever get rid of the rain we've had for the last 7 weeks, that could

help! :-)

[Guest guest]

> Hi,

>

> Is anyone here taking this med?

> ...

> Humira is the next drug if the increased remicades don't do it.

Wondered what experiences people are having, side effects and how

long did it take to give yourself the " shot " ? I've never done

anything like that before. I do the Imitrex injections for migrane's

but that is with the plunger style and figure it will be totally

different.

> Nanc

Hi Nanc,

I've been on Humira since January and although I still have some pain

in my hands when gripping things, I think Humira is great. It only

takes a few seconds to give yourself the shot because it comes in

prefilled syringes (two per box). The syringes are the " plunger-

style " like you are probably familiar with (I didn't know there was

any other type of syringe?).

I think the self-injections are almost painless (although someone

here on the list felt otherwise in a post a couple of weeks ago). The

syringe itself contains less than 1 cc of fluid (0.8 mL) weighing 40

grams, and the needle is 27 gauge (which is about the smallest

manufactured I think). It burns a little going in, but not much - and

it only lasts for the 4 or 5 seconds it takes to do the injection.

The only side effect I've noticed is that I tend to sleep a lot for

the first couple of days after the injection. One of your rheumies

nurses will supervise your first injection, so if you have any

trouble with it you could ask her to help. You could always have one

of your rheumies nurses give you the shot every two weeks if you

don't mind visiting your rheumy that often. I would imagine they

would probably do it for free, since you provide the Humira yourself

and it only takes a few seconds of their time.

-- Ron

[Guest guest]

> hi,

> ...

> The only thing I can say at this point, is that the Humira

injection did hurt as the liquid went in, but not after that.

Hi ,

I suggest you let the Humira sit outside the refrigerator for at

least a half-hour or so until it comes to room temperature before

injecting it. I think that will alleviate the burning sensation

considerably.

-- Ron

[Guest guest]

" the Humira injection did hurt as the liquid went in,

but not after that. "

Try pushing slower.

I had the same prob on my first injection, but the

second one was not wierd feeling at all, when it was

pushed slowly.

Thanks,

=====

in Atlanta, GA

__________________________________

**********Editors Note: I have been taking Humira for almost 17 weeks now and I

can state that it stings badly each time you inject it. The medication has that

nasty stinging quality according to my rheumy.

S.

[Guest guest]

I live in Berks County, PA. - Rambo

Nanc

Hi Nanc,

Where do you live because I have the same situation here. There were 2 days

that the sun came out and I felt better and then the rain started again along

with my pain.

Janet

[Guest guest]

Me 3 on the rain! I am thinking it must have something to do with

the severity of my pain right now!

Marti

[Guest guest]

, I am curious, since I just started Enbrel and MTX and/or Humira may be

in my future: What was your allergic reaction like to Enbrel, and how did the

MTX effect you so that you were useless for 2 days after taking it? Nausea,

fatigue, what?

Thanks!

claire

[Guest guest]

,

My first 2 shots of Humira were VERY painful. I was gasping as injecting and

kept stopping. It took me about 10 minutes just to complete the injection.

Further, as I was injecting, my skin was swelling (site reaction) and I was

pretty scared. I feared I was doing something wrong or allergic to it or

something. I told my rhuematologist about this and he told me as soon as I take

it out of the fridge, to roll the syringe (with the cap on, naturally) in in the

palms of my hands (someone else posted this before). It works! It makes the

medicine close to room temperature and I've had 2 injections since then with no

problems. I still get the site reaction (slight swelling) but that's normal and

not painful...it's similar to an allergy shot.

Nanc,

Humira is awesome! I was unsure and didn't want to post anything until I was

certain however it's working wonders for me. I'm currently using Humira alone

with no other drugs and feel 12 years old again. My problem is with my knees

and this weekend, I played soccer for 2 hours with my neice, walked a lot and am

even able to sit on my knees to do gardening again. Enbrel did nothing for me.

It's as if I get a slight swelling and a tinge of pain one day and then it

disappears. I am using the normal dosage (every 2 weeks) however think every 10

days would be perfect and I wouldn't have any pain at all. I also have no side

effects (knock on wood). No fatigue, no sickness, etc... I highly recommend

giving it a try.

Best of luck!

Tenderly,

Sherrie

[Ed. Note: Thanks for pointing out this tip regarding Humira, Sherrie. I've

mentioned a couple of times before that letting the Humira come to room

temperature before injecting helps lessen the burning sensation, but I must say

I've never experienced anything like you describe even when it's cold. In fact,

the first time I gave myself an injection, it was under a nurse's supervision in

my rheumy's office. After I'd given myself the injection, the nurse turned

around to get a band-aid to place over it, and when she turned back around she

couldn't find the spot where I had injected the Humira because there was

absolutely no site reaction or bleeding at all! It was kind of funny in fact.

;-) Ron]

> Glenn & Rambo <rambo@...> wrote: Hi,

>

> Is anyone here taking this med?

>

> Saw the rheumy on Thurs and he feels my body is just getting

> used to the meds and therefore not working, I'm on MTX and

> Remicade. We are going to move up the remicade to 6 weeks

> rather than 8 and see if the extra will build up better

> resistance for me. He wanted me to go back on prednisone but I

> just don't wanna do it if I don't have too.

>

> Humira is the next drug if the increased remicades don't do it.

> Wondered what experiences people are having, side effects and

> how long did it take to give yourself the " shot " ? I've never

> done anything like that before. I do the Imitrex injections for

> migrane's but that is with the plunger style and figure it will

> be totally different. ONe of the things that concerns me is

> that my hands aren't the best. I have difficulty hanging on to

> things, gripping thing etc. Thanks for any input you can give

> me.

>

> Nanc

>

> PS If we ever get rid of the rain we've had for the last 7

> weeks, that could help! :-)

>

[Guest guest]

> Further, as I was injecting, my skin was swelling

> (site reaction) and I was pretty scared.

Sherrie,

It occurs to me that you may not be inserting the Humira needle deep

enough. It should be inserted at approximately a 45 degree angle ALL

THE WAY IN so that none of the needle is showing. The only reason I

can think of why you would see your skin swelling up as you inject is

that you're not injecting deeply enough. If you're injecting it just

barely beneath the skin, I can understand the skin blowing up like a

balloon, but it shouldn't do that if the needle is buried a half-inch

under your skin. Note that when I say " all the way in " , the needle is

only a half-inch long, so it really isn't very far. I believe

allergic reactions take at least a few seconds to minutes to occur,

so I doubt very much that what you're seeing is an allergic reaction

at the injection site. It only takes me about five seconds to do the

injection itself.

Another thing that's VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure you point the needle

upwards and press the plunger far enough to EXPEL ALL THE AIR FROM

THE SYRINGE BEFORE INJECTING. If you don't do that, you'll be

injecting mostly air. That might explain the " balloon " effect you

mentioned and pain that some people experience.

My rheumy required that I give myself the first shot on my own under

the supervision of her nurse, and I would *strongly* recommend that

everyone should be supervised at least once while they give

themselves the injection to ensure they're doing it correctly. It

just might save you a lot of unpleasantness in the future.

-- Ron

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron and Sherrie,

Sherrie what u described was exactly what happened to me with my first Humira

injection...the second one is a week away. I too got the " bubble " at the

injection site and had to push the liquid in slowly because of the pain.

I did eveything correctly, removed the air, " stabbed " the needle in at a 45

degree angle and made sure it was all the way in.

It scared me aswell. I don't think it was an allergic reaction at all because

it went away within a minute. I don't think it was my technique with the needle

either, as I got extensive trainning and supervision (1hours trainning and two

supervised visits) at my doctors office when I was taking Enbrel.

I think the info Ron provided is VERY important because others experience will

vary. Being informed is the only thing that will help us identify what is and

what is not normal when dealing with new conditions or medications.

Just wanted to let Sherrie know that I experienced the same exact thing.

good luck

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the advice Ron. I truly believe I'm doing it properly but will pay

close attention next time to be certain. My doctor told me I was the second

patient of his to report this so it must be rare or that I'm doing something

wrong. Also, I was supposed to do my first shot in front of a nurse however my

doctor dismissed the training since I was already on Enbrel. I agree with you

that everyone should be supervised from the start. I mean, this medication is

too expensive to be dispensing improperly.

Thanks Again for your helpful advice.

Sherrie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/22/2003 10:55:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time, PA@...

writes:

> One of your rheumies

> nurses will supervise your first injection, so if you have any

> trouble with it you could ask her to help. You could always have one

> of your rheumies nurses give you the shot every two weeks if you

> don't mind visiting your rheumy that often. I would imagine they

> would probably do it for free, since you provide the Humira yourself

> and it only takes a few seconds of their time.

Hi Ron,

I have a question about the way Humira is working for you. I have been on

Enbrel for close to 3 months with a small improvement if any. I just got home

tonight from a college orientation in ALbany with my daughter. There was more

walking on the trip than I usually do and tonight my ankles look like two

swollen tennis balls and I am in a great deal of pain. My knees are also quite

painful. I don't know if the Enbrel is supposed to prevent all that swelling

and pain. I just wonder that if the Enbrel was working, wouldn't it prevent

all that swelling and discomfort? I just don't know what to think anymore.

Janet

-------------------------

moderator note: Enbrel is not a wonder drug that stops all the symptoms. I was

on pain meds for over two years after starting Enbrel and now still take the

pain meds as needed. The art. flares at times and still good and bad times

during the year. PA cycles. I am on anit-inflammatories besides the Enbrel. My

life would be horrible without the Enbrel so I keep taking it and the other

meds. Sometimes I think I can stop taking it and other times realize I have to

take something. The Pa makes us think and think some more. I question whether I

really am handicapped when the meds are working but just a few hours of not

taking them I slow down and am miserable. We should all be experts in ping

pong.....watch the ball bounce...watch the arthritis move around the

body...sigh. Some folks say the Enbrel works wonders right away and myself it

took years of slowly improving while on the Enbrel. None of knows what to think

but we all keep thinking. That's why I am here. PatB:-)

[Guest guest]

> Hi Ron,

> I have a question about the way Humira is working for

> you. I have been on Enbrel for close to 3 months with a small

> improvement if any. I just got home tonight from a college

> orientation in ALbany with my daughter. There was more walking

> on the trip than I usually do and tonight my ankles look like

> two swollen tennis balls and I am in a great deal of pain. My

> knees are also quite painful. I don't know if the Enbrel is

> supposed to prevent all that swelling and pain. I just wonder

> that if the Enbrel was working, wouldn't it prevent all that

> swelling and discomfort? I just don't know what to think

> anymore.

> Janet

>

> -------------------------

> moderator note: Enbrel is not a wonder drug that stops all the

> symptoms. I was on pain meds for over two years after starting

> Enbrel and now still take the pain meds as needed. ... PatB:-)

Hi Janet,

I agree with Pat. My opinion is that although the biological drugs

deplete the TNF (inflammation causing) cells - it can't eliminate

them entirely because the body is constantly manufacturing more.

Doctors, drug manufacturers, and medical insurance companies

unfortunately seem to take a " One Size Fits All " approach to

prescribing the biologics (and other drugs for that matter).

For those with mild PA, the normal dosing schedule of the biologics

would probably be fine, but for those with more long lasting or

severe PA, I think the dosing schedules of these drugs should be much

more frequent. My own experience has been that the effects of

Remicade started to wear off about midway between infusions, and the

same is probably true of Humira - but since it's injected much more

frequently (every two weeks) rather than infused every two months as

Remicade is, the effects of depletion aren't nearly as pronounced. If

we all took these drugs twice as often as is normally prescribed I

think our symptoms would be alleviated much more than they are on

the " normal " dosing schedules. Unfortunately because of the

astronomical cost of the biological drugs, health insurance companies

aren't likely to approve more frequent dosing schedules any time

soon. :-(

-- Ron

[Guest guest]

Janet,

Enbrel is supposed to stop the progression of PA at the least. For alot of

people it helps with the pain too. I remember my doc saying that once I was on

Enbrel I could stop all other meds (NSAIDS and prednisone). Big joke. It is

not a wonder drug or a cure. For some of us unfortunate ones it doesn't work at

all. All of my joint deterioration occurred WHILE ON ENBREL, not before. I

have x-rays to prove it. Get x-rays done and see where you stand. By 3 months

you should notice SOME effect. I had some swelling go down the first 6 months I

was on Enbrel. It NEVER got me pain free though.

good luck,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/29/2003 1:17:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

leslieiansa@... writes:

> Janet,

>

> Enbrel is supposed to stop the progression of PA at the least. For alot of

> people it helps with the pain too. I remember my doc saying that once I was

> on Enbrel I could stop all other meds (NSAIDS and prednisone). Big joke. It

> is not a wonder drug or a cure. For some of us unfortunate ones it doesn't

> work at all. All of my joint deterioration occurred WHILE ON ENBREL, not

> before. I have x-rays to prove it. Get x-rays done and see where you stand.

> By 3 months you should notice SOME effect. I had some swelling go down the

> first 6 months I was on Enbrel. It NEVER got me pain free though.

>

Well , Next week will be 3 months and I don't notice too much change.

I had company yesterday and served on my feet all day. Right now all of my

toes are sausages and my feet hurt like hell. Actually my knees have been worse

then they are now so maybe that is a plus. I am going to give it a little

longer and then call the rheumy if there is no change. I know some of you said

that they still needed pain meds with the Enbrel but my doctor acted like it

would be a miracle drug. I wish I could give him my pain for a week and let

him tell me what a miracle it is now.

Janet

[Guest guest]

-my doctor acted like it

> would be a miracle drug. I wish I could give him my pain for a

week and let

> him tell me what a miracle it is now.

> Janet

>

>

>Hi Janet,

I hate that when Docs rave about a med and then if it doesn't work

thry act like something is wrong with US. It has helped me so much to

see that if a med works for50% of people itis considered good. I

would prefer thw Doc said something along the line of WELL- this med

helps about one half of the peiople who try it so we can give it a go

and hope that you are one of the lucky half. Otherwise we will move

on and try something else. My Rheumie acts so whiny when something we

try doesn't work and I weant to say hey how do you think I feel? I

am tired of being considered complicated when it is really the

disease and meds that can be complicated. Thanks for the rant . Hope

you can find something that helps you. I know you have been in a

flare for a LONG time.

Congtats to your daughter!

Marti