Post Edited (dug) : 8/28/2005 10:06:27 PM (GMT-6)
Hey Dug,
I have to start Enbrel shortly myself - let me know how it goes. Do you have a pretty solid immune system? If so, I think there is a good chance you won't have troubles as long as you use extra care with hygeine like Erin said.
Erin, didn't you say something about icing the area first or something to help the sting? I have to take the once a week 50 mg shot (yuck! But, I guess it's better than twice a week!) and I'll need all the mind-numbing support I can get! Ha ha!
So, once they can detect lymphoma in your blood stream - it's too late, right? Once there you have it? Is that a side-effect for all TNF's as well as MS?
**
hey Camama,
there's this theory that people with RA have a higher risk of Lymphoma anyways...so is there a real correlation to the TNF's?? not really, but sorta... but it is something docs want to look out for just like TB.
same thing with the MS. if you're at risk for MS, these drugs might increase the chances of it a little and or bring it on faster, or give you MS symptoms that go away after therapy.
i honestly think that TNF's are much better and safer than steroids in regards to effects.
auoimmune diseases are funny. experts say that MS may stem from an autoimmune etiology; and since our immune systems are lymph nodes, why not lymphoma!??
i think it all has to do with vulnerability to the side effects. read the studies done in the booklet that comes with enbrel & it explains alot of the "at risk" stuff....the studies are interesting.
yea, some folks like to put ice on the area for a few minutes before injection. it might work for some people...but it's the liquid med that does the burning, so of course you'll feel it a bit. no pain no gain???
the Humira burns!! oooh boy! i guess we'll all grimace together!
take care
erin
I hear ya....oy...I'm REALLY bad with getting medicine injected - it really hurts me! Even the numbing stuff kills me. I was thinking of having my husband do it for me, but if I have a hard time with it, the safest place for him to inject it would probably be the rear end where I can't swat his arm with my hand. But, I don't know if you can get it there!
I still have to take a blood test and make an appointment - I've been stalling for a couple of reasons, but dont have time to write about it now.
Thanks for the encouragement, Judy. I appreciate it....I will get it....I know part of it is procrastination and part of it is fear....but some of that fear is justified (I guess) in the JUST IN CASE scenario this stuff makes me sick like Remicade did - I can't afford to take that risk just yet. However, as the joints act up.....you gotta think, "which is the bigger risk?"
I'm sorry to hear you are down....feel free to vent it out..I"m here to listen. I hope you are able to work through this spell quickly and successfully. I hate feeling that way.
Post Edited (Flopsie) : 9/8/2005 10:50:29 AM (GMT-6)
Oh Effie! What a sad post! I know exactly what you are going through! (well, as close as anyone could, I think.)The sadness you feel about daily life - I'm there, I've been there, and I'm sure I'll be there again. I meet these other moms who are on the go and have a more or less organized house, I'm so ashamed of myself! Not able to do more than 1-3 activities with the kids - a WEEK (not a day.) That I have things in the house that have needed to be taken care of for YEARS (not months or weeks.) That keeping the kitchen tidy is an enormous task initself, let alone the rest of the house! Now I have to worry about additional/secondary problems because of years of gaining weight...the weight is now a huge factor in my viscious circle of problems.
I'm so sorry to hear about your arguement with your friend. There must be someone who can get you contact information. Maybe you can call and have a heart to heart with her via phone or email. Though, 5000 mi. is a pretty far move - where'd she go, timbuktu?
I'm concerned to hear about that staph infection. Those things are pretty nasty and w/any AID, you are going to be more susceptible to thoes things. But, one in your lungs???? I"ve never heard of that...yikes! Any ideas how long it's been there? How bad it is? You NEED to get that taken care of, please don't delay.....I know it's a tough decision, but the staph infection could be contributing big time to your serious pain/flares right now....forgive me if I'm wrong and maybe one of these nurses will step in and tell me to shut my mouth. I say, if you don't feel better w/humeria after a few more shots (how often do you take it?), get that infection taken care of immediately! If that has been lingering in your body - getting rid of that may be the biggest help you need. I know antibiotics put your body thru heck, but it is important to rid yourself of that infection!
As for your marriage, mine has been seriously on broken ice more than a few times. I truly think the stress between my husband and I last year contributed greatly to the shut down of my body. My illnesses take a huge toll on our relationships. He completely and utterly has NO ClUE to what I go through at time, even the simplest things.
I wish you the best in your recovery, peace in your decisions, and only happy thoughts in your mind.
Judy Judy Judy!
i forgot to tell you...be sure to take your temperature! just to be safe until you get treatment for the infection. i would really get to the doc for antibiotics. you don't want to end up with pneumonia or sepsis or anything.
be careful hon...okay?
{{{{{{{{{ hugs }}}}}}}}}}}}}
