1. < Autoimmune Diseases

Humira Infections -- how do you handle each infection?

Posted by happilyalive @happilyalive, Jul 17 8:45pm

Hi, My Rheumatologist is preparing to put me on Humira and has warned me that infections may happen often. I also have hypertension, Anemia,Ckd, Diabetes, AS and PSA. I am searching for tips, advice or even what some of you do to handle these infections without ending up in a hospital somewhere. Have to admit this terrifies me.

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happilyalive | @happilyalive | Jul 19 8:44pm
In reply to @pb50 "Oh thank you but I’m one of rhe lucky ones. I am very well controlled compared..." + (show)
@pb50

Oh thank you but I’m one of rhe lucky ones. I am very well controlled compared to so many. The occasional flare and recurrent trigger finger but all in all very lucky. And all the tips and tricks we are throwing at you can be learned over time.

Stay in touch!

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I am very happy pb50 that you are very well controlled compared to many. I also feel blessed to be able to communicate with you and others in this group to learn and prepare. You are right that I will learn many things over time but I try to learn the majority of things from others to prevent as much as pain as possible. Hope that makes sense. Some day I hope to have at least half of the knowledge that many here have already. Have a great evening and thank you again.

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ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 20 7:58am
In reply to @happilyalive "Hi ksdm, Yes, I check my blood sugar levels alot and have a sensor that also..." + (show)
@happilyalive

Hi ksdm, Yes, I check my blood sugar levels alot and have a sensor that also alerts me when it begins to go low or even too high. Some days I have to force myself to eat just to get it normalized again. Thanks for letting me know that the blood sugar can get very high on prednisone. I'm not certain what all to do regarding it getting high so will be talking with my Endo at the next appointment. How are you doing with your back spasms and what do you do to get your blood sugar down to a better number?

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Don't wait until your next appointment! Call your Endo. You need to take more insulin and they can tell you that over the phone. I got a prednisone shot the other day for my back spasm. It takes a little while to start working but blood sugar will rise quickly. I have a Libre 3 sensor (great) and it tells me when I am too high or going low. Good luck!!

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1 reply
happilyalive | @happilyalive | Jul 20 3:41pm
In reply to @ksdm "Don't wait until your next appointment! Call your Endo. You need to take more insulin and..." + (show)
@ksdm

Don't wait until your next appointment! Call your Endo. You need to take more insulin and they can tell you that over the phone. I got a prednisone shot the other day for my back spasm. It takes a little while to start working but blood sugar will rise quickly. I have a Libre 3 sensor (great) and it tells me when I am too high or going low. Good luck!!

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Thank you for letting me know to call my Endo and not wait until my next appointment. You were very right that I needed to take more insulin and thank you for helping me to be more aware of that. How are you doing today with the prednisone shot for your back spasm? I do hope that it begins to work soon for you and that your pain goes away immediately.
I have heard good things about the Libre 3 sensor. I'm using the Libre 2 since that is what the insurance would cover. At some point I do want to make the leap to the 3. Do you have a lot of issues with the sensor giving you numbers that aren't extremely accurate? I've learned my issues with that is more the placement of the sensor and probably not the fault of the sensor. I find that the sensor is way more helpful than I ever anticipated.
Feel better soon and please keep me updated on things and how you are doing.

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1 reply
ksdm | @ksdm | Jul 21 10:27am
In reply to @happilyalive "Thank you for letting me know to call my Endo and not wait until my next..." + (show)
@happilyalive

Thank you for letting me know to call my Endo and not wait until my next appointment. You were very right that I needed to take more insulin and thank you for helping me to be more aware of that. How are you doing today with the prednisone shot for your back spasm? I do hope that it begins to work soon for you and that your pain goes away immediately.
I have heard good things about the Libre 3 sensor. I'm using the Libre 2 since that is what the insurance would cover. At some point I do want to make the leap to the 3. Do you have a lot of issues with the sensor giving you numbers that aren't extremely accurate? I've learned my issues with that is more the placement of the sensor and probably not the fault of the sensor. I find that the sensor is way more helpful than I ever anticipated.
Feel better soon and please keep me updated on things and how you are doing.

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You think the sensor is not giving you the right numbers because it measures a different fluid. It will be approx. 15 minutes or so behind a finger stick, so if you need to know exactly what it is at the moment, do a finger stick. With the Libre 3 you don't have to touch the reader to the sensor, just push the button on the reader and it tells you what your BG is. But it too, is going to be a little behind reality. It has nothing to do with where the sensor is placed as long as it is placed where the directions state. It's your life so I would do what the manufacturers say. I'm still in pain, damn it!!! But thanks for caring.

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1 reply
happilyalive | @happilyalive | Jul 21 10:34am
In reply to @ksdm "You think the sensor is not giving you the right numbers because it measures a different..." + (show)
@ksdm

You think the sensor is not giving you the right numbers because it measures a different fluid. It will be approx. 15 minutes or so behind a finger stick, so if you need to know exactly what it is at the moment, do a finger stick. With the Libre 3 you don't have to touch the reader to the sensor, just push the button on the reader and it tells you what your BG is. But it too, is going to be a little behind reality. It has nothing to do with where the sensor is placed as long as it is placed where the directions state. It's your life so I would do what the manufacturers say. I'm still in pain, damn it!!! But thanks for caring.

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To ksdm: First of all, I'm very sorry that you are still in much pain. Thank you for letting me know that the sensors are approximately 15 minutes or so behind. I truly didn't know that but voila, I've just learned something new and am grateful for you sharing it with me. 🙂
It's good that with the Libre 3 the reader doesn't have to be touched to the senor but just push the button. I like that idea very much. It's impressive and I'm happy the company did that feature. Little joys every day occur.
I do hope that something helps your pain today and that a bird sings a song of joy near you to brighten your day. Feel better soon.

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