Humira for joint pain?
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Humira for joint pain?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › Humira for joint pain?

  • Post
    • September 5, 2018 at 12:19 pm
    Jubes
    Participant

    Hi friends

     

    has anyone used humira for joints and inflammation?

    My rheumatologist is suggesting it now after my CRP count got to 35. (Normal range 0-5)

    thanks

     

    anne-Louise 

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  • Replies
      • September 5, 2018 at 6:44 pm
      mandyjill
      Participant

      i've heard Humira it's pretty rough stuff.  I had a lot of joint, bone and muscle pain from my immunotherapy treatments.  My doctor put me on prednisone and it pretty much took care of it.

      • September 5, 2018 at 8:46 pm
      kentuckycat
      Participant

      Hi Anne-Louise – I am currently being treated with Keytruda and have had knee and ankle swelling, stiffness and pain to the point of needing crutches to get around.  My rheumetologist suggested Humira, but my oncologist receommended against it.  He believes Humira will hurt the efficacy of Keytruda so I opted against using it.  I am currently on prednisone and it does help some with the knees/ankles.  I don't like the side effects of the steroids, but it does help me get around.  So, to answer your question, I have not used Humira.  However, I just wanted to let you know that my oncologist advised against it, but my rheumetologist wanted me to try it. I wish you the best!

      • September 5, 2018 at 11:01 pm
      kst
      Participant

      My rheumatologist at MDA gave me the option of Humira injections at home or Infliximab IV monthly at hospital.  Was told both would work equally well.  Started with Infliximab for month but CRP still above 110 and joint pain and swelling returns unless on high dose steroids.  Oncologist doesnt seem to mind Humira for short term usage but will transfer me to Actemra if not under complete control in about 3 months.  

        • September 6, 2018 at 2:02 pm
        aldrichdesigner
        Participant
        If you haven’t tried Prednisone to treat your joint pain then I highly recommend it. It was the only thing the doc could get to work on my joint pain. Granted we did not try Humira, I felt comfortable trying Prednisone as many on the board use it. I’m on a relatively low dose and don’t experience side effects but I could see if someone is taking a lot. I’m only prescribed 10 mg so not a lot but it was just enough to do the trick.
        • September 6, 2018 at 10:21 pm
        kst
        Participant

        Unfortunately, I am way past prednisone.  The lowest dose I could survive on after my AE's was 125mg daily given by IV.  Was able to taper steroids completely after I was given infliximab.  Was told by docs RFS decreased among patients stuck above 5mg prednisone daily if needed long term

        Susanne

        • September 6, 2018 at 10:23 pm
        kst
        Participant

        Inliximab wears off after about a month though

      • September 7, 2018 at 12:19 am
      Jubes
      Participant

      Thanks everyone for your advice. I finished keytruda in August 2015 and did infliximab for 6 months. My tumor in lung increased in size in that time and I had it removed. So now I am 2 years NED. I was on prednisone for a year and I think the docs don’t want me on it forever so that’s why I am thinking of trying Humira if my next scan in October is clear. I have to have fluids drained from my knee regularly and steroid injections to my knee and shoulder. I can live like this although the pain makes me cranky, and I might have to stop working, but my oncologist and rheumatologist both think the risks of Humira are worth it now… hard decision. 

      • September 8, 2018 at 11:54 pm
      Mat
      Participant

      Anne-Louise, I don't have any advice, but I am in the same/similar boat.  Struggling to stay below 10mg prednisone.  I get decent relief with methotrexate (max dose) for arthritis.  I've now developed hip bursitis and the methotrexate is ineffective for that.  Next step for me is steroid shots to the hips.  I also use Aleve, though trying to avoid long term due to GI.  If you find the answer, please let me know!

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