Hi..newbe to all of this.. anyone here heard of these?USTEKINUMAB VIAL and or Stelara
I am not afraid of needles
I think my specialist is going to put me on biological in November. I first have to use methotrexate and plaquenil and predesone for 6 months before I get approval for biological meds..the gov here pays most of it
Hi @dontknowitall53! I had the same problem three years ago. Methotrexate and prednisone were no longer working for my RA/AS after ten years. My doctor suggested trying biologicals. I was nervous at first about the potential side effects but I decided to give it a go since my previous treatment was not effective. I am glad I did. I have been so much better with my new treatment. I got to realize methotrexate and prednisone are very harsh medications that require monthly lab work. I had all sorts of problems associated with these two meds: headaches, fatigue, constant bloating (occasionally nausea and vomiting), weight gain, difficulty sleeping, and mood changes (feeling irritable or anxious most of the time). I thought all these things had to do with my RA/AS somehow. I was wrong. My doctor got me started on Humira.
I am not going to lie to you. It is a bit scary to inject yourself in the stomach or your thighs. I had a nurse coming to my house shortly after I receive the first injections sent by the pharmaceutical that makes Humira at no charge. She brought me a training kit and the sharps container. She was very patient in showing me the ropes on how to inject myself and afterward, she will call to see how I was doing. Within a few weeks of taking Humira, I felt great. My headaches, stomach problems, and mood swings went away. My RA/AS improved tremendously. I was a new man. Now I can keep almost a normal life. A word of advice if you are going to take Humira. Do not go for the syringe. Go for the pen, trust me. They told me the pen hurts more but it is not the case. It is easier to use and you can do it on your thighs. The syringe is recommended to be used in your stomach. Do not even go there.
Humira worked wonderfully for about three months. I did not notice it at first but every time I administered my injection I had a rash on my legs and arms. I did not know but I had an allergic reaction to one of the components of Humira. My doctor switched me to Simponi, which is similar to Humira and that fix the problem. My experience with biologicals has been positive after three years of taking them.
Hi @dontknowitall53! I had the same problem three years ago. Methotrexate and prednisone were no longer working for my RA/AS after ten years. My doctor suggested trying biologicals. I was nervous at first about the potential side effects but I decided to give it a go since my previous treatment was not effective. I am glad I did. I have been so much better with my new treatment. I got to realize methotrexate and prednisone are very harsh medications that require monthly lab work. I had all sorts of problems associated with these two meds: headaches, fatigue, constant bloating (occasionally nausea and vomiting), weight gain, difficulty sleeping, and mood changes (feeling irritable or anxious most of the time). I thought all these things had to do with my RA/AS somehow. I was wrong. My doctor got me started on Humira.
I am not going to lie to you. It is a bit scary to inject yourself in the stomach or your thighs. I had a nurse coming to my house shortly after I receive the first injections sent by the pharmaceutical that makes Humira at no charge. She brought me a training kit and the sharps container. She was very patient in showing me the ropes on how to inject myself and afterward, she will call to see how I was doing. Within a few weeks of taking Humira, I felt great. My headaches, stomach problems, and mood swings went away. My RA/AS improved tremendously. I was a new man. Now I can keep almost a normal life. A word of advice if you are going to take Humira. Do not go for the syringe. Go for the pen, trust me. They told me the pen hurts more but it is not the case. It is easier to use and you can do it on your thighs. The syringe is recommended to be used in your stomach. Do not even go there.
Humira worked wonderfully for about three months. I did not notice it at first but every time I administered my injection I had a rash on my legs and arms. I did not know but I had an allergic reaction to one of the components of Humira. My doctor switched me to Simponi, which is similar to Humira and that fix the problem. My experience with biologicals has been positive after three years of taking them.
Hi there! How often do you need injections? It will depend on the medication. For example, Humira is one injection every other week. Simponi is just one injection, once a month.
Hi there! How often do you need injections? It will depend on the medication. For example, Humira is one injection every other week. Simponi is just one injection, once a month.
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Oct 24, 2022
@dontknowitall53 So much of medicine seems to be turning to biologics as a good source of treatments. But I have found that rarely are they really explained to us patients. I found this article that does a pretty good job at describing biologics and especially the safety and testing of the drugs. https://www.who.int/health-topics/biologicals#tab=tab_1
Do some research on Humira and Embril and make a list of questions for your doctor. You might even ask a hospital pharmacist the same questions. Many of these pharmacists have a PhD in pharmacology and are tasked with keeping doctors up-to-date on medications.
Can you let me know what you learn and if you were able to talk with a pharmacist?
@dontknowitall53 So much of medicine seems to be turning to biologics as a good source of treatments. But I have found that rarely are they really explained to us patients. I found this article that does a pretty good job at describing biologics and especially the safety and testing of the drugs. https://www.who.int/health-topics/biologicals#tab=tab_1
Do some research on Humira and Embril and make a list of questions for your doctor. You might even ask a hospital pharmacist the same questions. Many of these pharmacists have a PhD in pharmacology and are tasked with keeping doctors up-to-date on medications.
Can you let me know what you learn and if you were able to talk with a pharmacist?
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I have already side effects from current medication..shortness of breath..nausea etc
Hello @dontknowitall53 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see that @gingerw has joined you and the pair have you shared some additional details.
There was another discussion already going on the topic of biologics so you will notice I have moved your post into that discussion, which you can find here:
- New to biologics and need advise: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-to-biologics-and-need-advise/
Is your main concern adding to your list of side effects?
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3 ReactionsYes I think..
Thank you
Hi..newbe to all of this.. anyone here heard of these?USTEKINUMAB VIAL and or Stelara
I am not afraid of needles
I think my specialist is going to put me on biological in November. I first have to use methotrexate and plaquenil and predesone for 6 months before I get approval for biological meds..the gov here pays most of it
Hi @dontknowitall53! I had the same problem three years ago. Methotrexate and prednisone were no longer working for my RA/AS after ten years. My doctor suggested trying biologicals. I was nervous at first about the potential side effects but I decided to give it a go since my previous treatment was not effective. I am glad I did. I have been so much better with my new treatment. I got to realize methotrexate and prednisone are very harsh medications that require monthly lab work. I had all sorts of problems associated with these two meds: headaches, fatigue, constant bloating (occasionally nausea and vomiting), weight gain, difficulty sleeping, and mood changes (feeling irritable or anxious most of the time). I thought all these things had to do with my RA/AS somehow. I was wrong. My doctor got me started on Humira.
I am not going to lie to you. It is a bit scary to inject yourself in the stomach or your thighs. I had a nurse coming to my house shortly after I receive the first injections sent by the pharmaceutical that makes Humira at no charge. She brought me a training kit and the sharps container. She was very patient in showing me the ropes on how to inject myself and afterward, she will call to see how I was doing. Within a few weeks of taking Humira, I felt great. My headaches, stomach problems, and mood swings went away. My RA/AS improved tremendously. I was a new man. Now I can keep almost a normal life. A word of advice if you are going to take Humira. Do not go for the syringe. Go for the pen, trust me. They told me the pen hurts more but it is not the case. It is easier to use and you can do it on your thighs. The syringe is recommended to be used in your stomach. Do not even go there.
Humira worked wonderfully for about three months. I did not notice it at first but every time I administered my injection I had a rash on my legs and arms. I did not know but I had an allergic reaction to one of the components of Humira. My doctor switched me to Simponi, which is similar to Humira and that fix the problem. My experience with biologicals has been positive after three years of taking them.
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4 ReactionsThank you so much..it gives me hope ..and understanding. How often do you need injections?
Hi there! How often do you need injections? It will depend on the medication. For example, Humira is one injection every other week. Simponi is just one injection, once a month.
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1 ReactionThank you
now I have some info for when I see specialist next time.
@dontknowitall53 So much of medicine seems to be turning to biologics as a good source of treatments. But I have found that rarely are they really explained to us patients. I found this article that does a pretty good job at describing biologics and especially the safety and testing of the drugs.
https://www.who.int/health-topics/biologicals#tab=tab_1
Do some research on Humira and Embril and make a list of questions for your doctor. You might even ask a hospital pharmacist the same questions. Many of these pharmacists have a PhD in pharmacology and are tasked with keeping doctors up-to-date on medications.
Can you let me know what you learn and if you were able to talk with a pharmacist?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsSure will..and thank you
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Hug
1 Reaction