Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Took my first humira injection today

Today I took humira for the first time. I was initially very reluctant to take it and left it in the fridge for 2 weeks but I feel that I have to do something to try and turn my life around so hopefully this catalyst of better things to come. Like most people, the thought of having an injection is not a pleasant one and self-injection seems twice as bad, but the tiny sting is absolutely incomparable to the pain/suffering that one experiences with this condition.

According to my rheumatologist, he says that if I do not take NSAID's in conjunction with humira on a daily basis, the progression of my disease and fusion process could speed up. Any thoughts on this? He said something about humira bridging the gaps in the spine if NSAIDS are not taken.

Does anyone have any advice on humira as well? Typically, when are you supposed to see results? I am in an enormous amount of pain today, enough to make me want to cry to be honest but I'm counting on this to help me out. If not, it's back to the NSD.

One last thing.... I have been in remarkably more pain these past 4 months or so, which is perhaps a sign of disease progression. Humira does nothing to address the actual condition but target the pain that you experience, am I right? So is there anything else that I can be doing to try and ensure that I will have an okay life in the future, if not for 10 years or so before the prospect of disability comes into frame?

Thanks for any advice in advance if I don't respond. Very much appreciated I can assure you that.

Hope everyone is having a good day/week/month!

I am glad you got the courage to do your first injection . I couldn't agree more, a little sting is nothing compared to AS pain. When I went on biologics in the past, I noticed improvement in the first couple weeks so hang in there!

Also, when I was on biologics, I didn't need NSAIDs because they brought the inflammation down. Maybe, get a second opinion or go with your instinct on whether you should continue the NSAIDs. I was told Ibuprofen is safer than some of the other NSAIDs.

I have a stomach ulcer now from NSAIDS and wish I could turn back time .

My doc told me the biologics slow the progression of the disease. I have had some docs say NSAIDS slow the progression too my my GI doc told me NSAIDs just cover up the pain.

Hope you have less pain soon!

Shari

Humira reduces the signs and symptoms of AS. If it works for you, it reduces inflammation, pain and stiffness. There is nothing to indicate that Humira - or anything else - speeds up disease progression. Although there are some people on message boards that say that NSAIDS sped up their disease, there is no clinical evidence to suggest that is possible and no real way for an individual to make that judgement. In fact, there are several smaller studies that indicate that consistent daily use of a NSAID does slow or stop progression. What your Rheumatologist was probably trying to tell you is that you should take BOTH Humira and your NSAID for the BEST chance of slowing/stopping progression of your AS. My son took Humira for several years with wonderful results. He saw improvement within the first few weeks and medicated remission after about 2 months. Good Luck.

I was on Humira for 5 months and saw a little improvement but, for me, not too much. Some see fantastic results in a very short time with Humira and for others it doesn't work at all and they try another biologic.
Everyone is wired differently so results of any medication, drug or procedure will vary from person to person.

Good luck!

You were quiet about your decision to take humira! Congrats on taking that big step though, and I hope it really pays off for you, like it has for so many other people.

Your rheumatologist obviously wants you to get as much into your body that will deal with inflammation as possible. Like others have said, you may find that when the humira kicks in properly you don't need NSAIDs as well to keep inflammmation down - my laymans description is that its inflammation that leads to that extra bone growth at the entheses (at the edges of bones)and thats what eventually gets so much that it completely crosses what should be a gap between the spinal bones and you get your spine joining together in fusion.

I think if you have been able to take NSAIDs without side effects in the past, it would be well worth while following the rheumatologists instructions at least to start with. If you feel later you don't need the NSAID, or they start causing problems, then you can easily stop. Taking them though might just help things get under control quicker. A lot of people really do get good results from NSAIDs when taken regularly, in spite of all the negative press.

Its hard to have to choose to take drugs, but just remember what it is like to NOT take them. Its up to you though in the end. Do make sure you tell your rheumatologist if you decide not to take his advice though.

Hello Seb,

Best of luck to you with Humira, hope you feel like a new man soon.

Tim

Hi Seb,

Good on you for taking the biologic step. That is something I have been considering lately. You mentioned "if not.. back to NSD" - did you have success with that before? Are the biologics an alternative to the diet for you? I'm just experimenting with NSD+no dairy. 8 days in.. Maybe realizing that eggs might be a problem for me which I had never considered before.

Keep posting friend!

Seb,
My wife(Sherry) just started taking humira also,this is her 3rd time actually today i gave her a shot. she said to tell you make sure you leave it out of the fridge for a bit so its' not cold,it goes in easier,and it wont burn as bad.One of the negative things is it has not started working yet at all.The rheumy said it can take up to 3 months!I sure as heck hope not.Good luck and keep us posted.okay.

I am hoping that you respond to Humira as well as I did when I first started it. I felt much less fatigue in just a couple of days. I was almost pain free a week later. We are all different in how we respond. I found that I needed to keep taking a NSAID with the Humira even though my Rheumy wanted me to quit. Doctors can agree with each other how to treat us.

Keep us posted.. This is also seeming like the next step for me.. Hope all works out