Read the post I made this morning about my one year anniversary on Humira.

I wish it had been offered to me sooner; maybe I wouldn't have so much damage to my SI joint now. All those years (12 to be exact) of horrible horrible inflammatory SI joint flares probably did the damage that I have now. When the flares first started, my SI joint was good in between the flares (and few months it took for the inflammation to settle down). A few years ago, the SI joint between kind of permanently "cranky"…see my post about Humira for the details….if I had Humira (or even the methylpred) years sooner, perhaps I wouldn't be in the boat I'm in today, with my SI joint (or my neck).

I had heard the horror stories, but too, I had heard the "it changed my life" stories as well. I decided to focus on the stories of hope instead of the stories of doom. We're all different, we all react differently.

I decided the largest risk was an allergic reaction, so I went with the Humira as its human based, though with remicade, one can take an antihistamine to prevent an allergic reaction. But that was only a concern for me because I have a lot of allergy issues. This though has not been a problem for me. And with Remicade, they do it in the doctors' office, so they are prepared in case.

Another fear I had was the effects wearing off. That can happen, but is most likely to happen if one needs to take a break from the biologic. A year later, and so far, so good.

Infection is maybe the most likely side effect, but if one is vigilant and doesn't take the biologic when sick then most people fair well. I have a strong immune system and my head colds have been no more often or worse on the biologic than before the biologic. I had one UTI before Humira and I've had one on Humira; the one before the Humira was worse. I do take LDN still and I do take vitamin C (500-1000 mg daily) per rheumy's orders. I also eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water, get my exercise (mostly walking), and get good sleep now most of the time…all things that probably help me have a healthy immune system.

They also do my blood work to make sure my white cell counts are fine, etc. They were always borderline high prior to the biologic, now they are high normal.

The other risks seemed statistically small to me, so I haven't worried about them.

My stepfather won't take the enbrel for his crohn's, but then again the asacol works well for him. Though, seeing how well I've done on the Humira has shifted his mind a bit.

We all have to make the decision for ourselves.

Last edited by Sue22; 06/05/14 08:05 PM.

sue

Spondyloarthropathy, HLAB27 negative
Humira (still methylprednisone for flares, just not as often. Aleve if needed, rarely.)
LDN/zanaflex/flector patches over SI/ice
vits C, D. probiotics. hyaluronic acid. CoQ, Mg, Ca, K.
chiro
walk, bike
no dairy (casein sensitivity), limited eggs, limited yeast (bread)