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increased dosage Humira?

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 5/30/2009 12:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have psoriatic arthritis and have been on Humira injections, every two weeks for almost a year.   Things were going great till about two months ago.  about four days before my next shot is due I go back to swelling, stiffness and a lot of pain.   Could it be that I need to be taking injections more often?   Just wondered if anyone else out there has had an increase in their Humira dosage.    I still take Alleve twice a day but that doesn't help on those four days.   Also - was hoping I could get off the Alleve once I started the Humira but I seem to need both.

thanks for any input

Alicat

Posted 5/30/2009 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
I too notice the effect of Humira wearing off toward the end of the two weeks. I used to think the same thing about weekly MTX shot.

My rheumatologist says Humira doesn't work that way, that its effects build up and then wear off during 4-6 weeks if you stop. He says it doesn't work any differently in week one than week two. So maybe it's just in my head.

In any case, you want to check with your insurance before you ask for more shots. Mine will only pay for 26 shots per year.
Posted 5/30/2009 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
You're probably right about the insurance not wanting to pay for extra shots. I did look up dosage information on the web and it say that some people with psoriatic or reumatoid arthritis have benefited by taking the injections weekly. I'll run it by my reumy and see what she thinks. If the insurance company says no, then that's that. But I guess it's worth a try.

Alicat
Posted 6/14/2009 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
psAin Canada - your Rheumy is misinformed regarding Humira dosing. There are many patients - myself included - who are on weekly doses because bi-weekly dosing loses its effectiveness by the second weeek.
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