Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications HUMIRA STARTED

Shot my first dose of humira this morning.. Already seems as though I can breath deaper.. (possible placibo) but non the less im still hopeful this will give me some relief as no other treatments did.. I will keep updating to let you know how its working as I continue to take it.. Id also like to hear how it worked for others..

Woke up today with about a 20-30% reduction in pain.. Low back and hips are still pretty sore but the pain in my rib cage has let up.. Lets hope it continues!

Hi Bodsquad, I have been on Humira going on three months. I am starting to get more pain relief, not so much inflammation. I had really bad sciatica pain down my right leg but it seems much better, also I was having pain in my shoulders, elbows and hands and pain in the spine to touch and ribs and it seems better but my hips are still giving me trouble. My left hip keeps locking up on me when I go to stand up...very frustrating. The injection is lasting about 7-10 days. I'm finding that the Simponi I was on worked better on my hips but near the end of it I was having trouble in all kinds of places that I hadn't had before. So I'm hoping each time it will get a little better. My only issue right now is site reactions with the needle, I didn't notice it with the pen. So I will order the pen next time.
Please keep us posted on how you're doing.

Good news Bodsquad! Sounds very hopeful! Especially the pain relief! Thats a bonus considering these biologics are not pain meds but help to stop the progression of the disease.

The medicine helps to stop inflammation.. When you take the inflammation away of course you will have a reduction in pain.. Same principle as the NSD no?

She means that they help to stop your immune system from attacking your body, hopefully slowing the progression of the disease. Unlike a straight pain-killers (analgesics) like opiates, which just stop you from feeling the pain.

It's a good thing!

edit: the theory behind NSD is slightly different; the idea there is that you eliminate a bacteria which could be causing your immune system to be over-active in the first place

Yes, eliminate the bacteria that causes the inflammation I get that.. The body attacking itself and causing the inflammation is what will cause the pain.. So if you remove the source either through Biologics or the NSD you reduce the pain greatly and stop further damage.. So it was odd to me that one would be surprised at a reduction of pain... Or maybe I just took it the wrong way (very possible).. I am still fairly new to the research of this disease so if i am mistaken guidance is greatly appreciated...

Much Love

-Jeff

Jeff,
Good name, that is my son's name! It was not an odd way to think about it at all. I am just progressed too far for it to help in that way. So starting early is an awesome thing and I am so happy to hear that it is helping a lot of people with their pain. We had nothing but Sulphasalazine and prednisone to help back in the day. I was 28 and now am 54. Hope this helps some more with your A.S. info. I am so glad that you found us as it will help you in your journey. We all have setbacks as well and it is okay to vent away when something is working and then doesn't so no question is invalid.

I understand what Pea is saying because it is not considered a pain killer but because it reduces the inflammation it helps with the pain, the fatigue and stiffness. Its taken awhile for me with the Humira although the pain and stiffness aren't completely gone, what a difference.

I recieved my results for my hip and back xrays and since I've been on biologics the arthrtis in my hips is the same, which is good. But because I have damage when I flare it's very disabling.

I'm just starting to understand how AS affects you, attacking the tendons, my pain is always where something is attached, maybe someone else can explain it better.

I've been on humiira for only a few weeks. My pain is a lot better but my side effects are terrible. I'm exhausted and just over all feel bad how am I suppose to function ? It's so difficult and it's so hard.