Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group First Humira Shot!!!

So I went to my rheummy today. I was kind of disappointed because when I asked if there was anything we could do about my pain in terms of maybe changing it up a little because it doesn't seem to be working 100% anymore...all she really said was well we are going to start the Humira and hopefully you will have a good response to it...I was like ok but should I keep taking my pain meds that I'm on now? she just said yea if they help...but the thing is they don't help like they used too...she did put me on a stronger anti-inflamatory so hopefully that will help some...I also asked if she could write me a script for nausea because it feels like I have the flu all the freaking time. thankfully she did. she then wrote me a prescription for Humira and sent the nurse in to show me how to take it! I was sorta scared just because what it I went through all of this and it doesn't work? but I'm going to give it a long while to see if it works
so the nurse comes in and shows me the pen. I can't believe how big it is and you only use that thing once and it's done! lol we still have to wait on the drug company to ok it for me to get it for free, the last time we called it was in the final stages of a YES decision so that is AWESOME!! once we know for sure then I'll have my own pens to keep in the fridge
so kim (the nurse) showed me how to do it myself, wash my hands, clean the site with alcohol wipe then pull it tight...I thought I would have to pinch my fat but nope, I had to watch through the little window to make sure the thing went all the way down letting me know that all the medicine is gone. the shot itself didn't hurt and I didn't bleed but after like a minute it started to burn and sting. not the injection site really, just the medicine spreading out...it kinda freaked me out because it was really stinging but she said that it was normal and it would go away...it took about 10 for it to go away.
so keep your fingers and toes crossed that this will work for me! I NEED NEED NEED my life back!
hope everyone had a great Monday

Good job! The first shot is so hopeful, but remember that everyone is different. Some folks notice improvement within a few days, but it took me almost 2 months. After several doses I suddenly realized I was flaring less (and less extreme). So don't give up if it doesn't work right away - at least wait the recommended time. (And if it doesn't work after that, no worries there either. Several folks here just switched to Enbrel, Remicade, etc.). Praying for ya.

That's very exciting, Pink. Really hope it works for you. Good description, as well. I've always been a bit spooked by the idea of giving myself a jab but you made it sound quite down-to-earth and do-able.

Pink

That is really good news!! I hope Humira works for you. I am on Remicade and it really helped me to get my life back. I hope you get yours back too...Good Luck!!

hi, how do you feel? hope it is working well for you.... mine worked in 24 hours
Having sadi that, different people react differently.... heard quite a few stories of humira starting to show results with a bit of delay. Hoping yours is super quick

hey guys, those of you who take Humira, how does it help? how did you notice it was helping, like was it dramatic, or slow? and do you have to take the shot at the same time every time you do it? i take my next one on Monday so i want to know if i can do it whenever during the day...thanks!

I noticed the day after my first shot that my fatigue was much less then before. The next morning(2nd day), I noticed that my lower back pain was less noticeable then before. A few days later, I felt so good that I completely forgot to take any of my Norco.

Like Pink, I am waiting for my insurance to OK it. It's Sat. today, my 3rd shot is due on Wed. If my insurance doesn't come through, I wonder how long before the pain and fatigue comes back?

Donna

wow donna! i can't believe you felt relief so fast!! that's awesome! i still haven't felt any difference....hopefully that will change....I NEED THIS TO WORK. i can't sleep, can't eat a lot, i can barley think the pain is so bad. i don't know what to do...rheummy put me on the strongest anti inflammatory called idomethicine or something like that lol....so far that hasn't helped...and i'm still on the morphine and oxy...so i'm now taking all 3 and it hasn't helped...

Give it time. Sometimes it takes a few shots before it kicks in. In the meantime just take it one day at a time. My Rheumy has me keeping a pain, morning stiffness and location log to track my progress.
Donna

I took the first biologic Enbrel for a year or so .It helped a bit but I ended up with constant cold sores and then kidney cancer . These drugs suppress your immune while they help your arthritis I don't think they tell us enough about the downside of taking something that leaves you wide open to infection or worse cancer! Kev