HI and Happy New year everyone!
I was diagnosed the end of May and started on Methrotrexate/ unable to tolerate the 10mg dose so lowered to 7.5 mg and humira injection started . I have had 2 doses/ no problem after initial dose and then about 4 days after 2nd dose I started with heart palpitations. Initially just at night but then worse and during daytime hrs. Also had 2 episodes of lightheadedness/ sweating last week. Md stopped humira and I will see her on Tues. I am 69 yrs old and starting to think that my age adds to more freq. side effects. I have read that also. Can't take plaquenil b/c of eye disease. Also have crohns. so can't take NSAIDS. A bit discouraged
Wondering if anyone else had an intolerance to biologic. Anyway may 2017 be a better year for all of us
Gloria
Happy new year n sending gentle hugs , I am 65 and they have me on plaquenil and I am worried bout my eyes also but I see the doctor once a year , I have been having stomach problems ;((( I do hot yoga five times a week n this really helps me , might want to look into it ,,,fell better
I was fine on Humira for 18 months however my general health
suffered. Chest infections loss of voice and finally repeated UTI
Which resulted in being hospitalised with nephritis.
I was taken off the humera but still kept taking the 25mg MTX
injection weekly.
I have been on a few treatments since then but not found any
Stabilising treatment
You don't say if you are on injections or oral MTX if it's oral ask
about injections they are easy to do.
I was 55 when I was on that so I don't think it's to do with age
I have since had 3 other biological not found one that works yet.
Like you I have had bowel problems even had some stomach and bowel removed so no more NSAIDS
Thanks, I was going to look into yoga at a senior center near us. I have an intolerance to heat and / sore wrists and ankles so not sure how it will go but I am willing to try
I have been taking oral MTX and even 10mg caused severe diarrhea and since I have crohns I was afraid to aggravate that. Only 2 doses of humira and already sick with resp infection. Reading the side effects with the drug packaging is very stressful.
Thanks for your response : )
Look for chair yoga , I heard you still get all the benefit, sending gentle hugs
I was the same taking it orally and still not under control
The way the RA clinic explained it was that if you inject it you get 100% of the dose so they can sometimes try you on a lower dose
When you take tablets you only get about 75% of the dose
I was like you for 3 days after MTX I would be vomiting diahorria
All the digestive problems has resulted in loosing part of my
stomach due to ulcers and part of my small and large bowel
I can no longer take anti inflamitory especially
It is very stressful and you question if the cure is worse than the deciese it's self sometime.
I I also find dealing with stressful situations very daunting.
With the Humira I seemed to constantly have sore throats
larengytis chest infections despite having flu injections.
But steroids lower your immune system too.among other things.
When I do have steroids they are given in the bottom if you have a few joints sore.
But I have has separate ones in my knees, ankles and wrist
Not pleasant but effective if you can't tolerate NSAIDS
It sounds like you have had a rough time of it also. Are you still taking MTX injections? You are right about wondering if the medication is worse than the disease itself. I see the GI doc tomorrow. Her nurse told me that she is thinking of an infusion now. I could tell the Humira was helping with the ankle and finger joints so it's disappointing that I had the side effect so quickly. Trial and error with the meds is just how it seems to go with everyone I hope we can find something that works for me soon. Best wishes to you in the New year
Tai Chi also helps
Although the joints hurt we still need to keep the muscles as
healthy as possible to support those joins.
Baby steps most of the time but I find swimming helps as
Long as getting dressed and undressed quite a few times a day is possible. We have to pick our battles sometimes
Yes still taking MTX injections every Thursday night 25 mg
Have been for 9 yrs I take it Thursday because I don't work friday
And for about 72 hours after the injection my health and stamina
Is questionable.
Symptoms range from Midlands nausea and head aches to
Vomiting, diahorria and migraines.
Not all the time but unpredictable.which is why I changed my
working week to mon- ukot to accommodate it.
Not everyone understands the unseen problems this deciese
causes
I do hope to go to Tai Chi and yoga and even water aerobics if I ever get over this cold and palpitations. Going to the primary doc later today. Saw gastroentologist yesterday. She does not believe that humira is causing palpitations so back to reg MD. She wants humira resumed after my cold is gone and I have been seen by other MD.. She advised cortisone cream to the area of injection to help with itch and redness as needed
Can be quite discouraging but we just have to 'hang in there' as my Mom used to say : )