Since I may be put on Stelara, I decided to do a little research.
Stelara is categorized as an immunosuppressive drug used to treat plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It has also been approved to help treat Chrohn's disease. - Which will benefit me on multiple levels. Not just the psoriasis, but since Humira also helps with Chrohn's and I have seen an improvement with my digestive issues of the past 24 years, this is possible to continue to help.
This drug is injected, using pre-filled syringes. The difference between Stelara and other biologics is the frequency of the injections. There is a first injection, another four weeks later, than every 12 weeks after that. - This makes me happier. I have had an adverse psychological issue when I have tried to get my injections ready. Now, with the fewer injections I will have to give myself, maybe I will not have that weird issue.
It can be used whether or not the patient is taking Methotrexate. (Which is good for me, since I do take Methotrexate.)
The concerns with Stelara are the same as with any other biologic or DMARD, the risk of infections (bacterial or fungal), contracting a virus, or being susceptible to various cancers, to include skin cancer. - Which means same concerns, different medicine.
All information I found was from the Stelara Information site
Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Information. Show all posts
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Friday, November 13, 2015
Explaining Enbrel
****I AM NOT A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL OR AN EMPLOYEE FOR ENBREL. I HAVE GONE TO THE ENBREL WEBSITE AND ACQUIRED THE INFORMATION AND MADE AN INFORMATIONAL ARTICLE.****
Being my husband, rheum and I decided that Enbrel would be the logical next step in my treatment, I decided to do a little research.
According to Enbrel's website, the biologic helps by minimizing the symptoms of the autoimmune diseases (pain, inflammation, fatigue) as wells and lessening the joint damage that can occur.
When the commercials are aired or are in magazines, a long list of "before you start <insert medication>, tell your doctor." Enbrel is not any different. Under the RA header there is a link for About RA that goes into detail about all the things you should advise your doctor about regarding your health. I am going to touch a few of them.
Being my husband, rheum and I decided that Enbrel would be the logical next step in my treatment, I decided to do a little research.
According to Enbrel's website, the biologic helps by minimizing the symptoms of the autoimmune diseases (pain, inflammation, fatigue) as wells and lessening the joint damage that can occur.
When the commercials are aired or are in magazines, a long list of "before you start <insert medication>, tell your doctor." Enbrel is not any different. Under the RA header there is a link for About RA that goes into detail about all the things you should advise your doctor about regarding your health. I am going to touch a few of them.
- TB - Even if you haven't been around anyone with TB or been anywhere where it is likely to contract TB, your rheum will more than likely perform the test. It doesn't matter if you are currently on a biologic and switching or starting fresh. I look at it as a safety net. Someone may have had TB or been near someone who did and just didn't show symptoms. Our bodies are prone to just about everything, so I am more than happy to get this test done as often as needed so I can start treatments.
- Illnesses, Infections, and Surgeries - having RD, out immune system is already compromised. Adding the biologic or DMARD to the mix will compromise it just a tad bit more. So, whenever in doubt, before taking the biologic, consult the doctor, who will tell you EXACTLY how to proceed with dosages.
- Vaccines - Talk to you doctor about being vaccinated, especially around flu season. Your rheum will advise you on your dosage and more than likely tell you that you should not receive any that are live vaccines.
Guess what?! There are side effects to taking Enbrel as well. I know, you just can't believe a medication would have side effects, but it's true.
All joking aside now, there is a LONG list on the Enbrel Important Safety Info Page.
I understand it is overwhelming, but try to look at it objectively. Every reaction to the medication that has been reported to doctors or pharmacists needs to be annotated in their documentation.
The reactions that are repeatedly reported are deemed Common Side Effects. One of these happens to be redness or soreness where the injection was given. Not to make light of anything, but whenever we receive shots from doctors or nurses, we are told this. Even though I think it is common knowledge, I am still very thankful it is included, because some of us react that way where others never have, and it could come as a great surprise to those individuals.
Of course there are Serious Side Effects as well. Those are the ones that if you notice any of them, you IMMEDIATELY call your doctor. I will not go into any of these, they are on the above mentioned page and it has links that detail everything.
So, We have covered the "Make sure you doctor knows" and the Side Effects. It can't all be bad or scary, right? Let me dabble a bit on how it works.
Enbrel has a page for How does ENBREL work that allows you to select one of the following diseases so you can read how it will work:
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Plaque Psoriasis
- Psoriatic Arthritis
- Ankylosing Spondylitis
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
It is my suggestion that if you are interested, to click on the link and select the desired category. I reviewed each one, and find it very helpful, informative and understandable. Also, on this page is a link to subscribe for information regarding this medication.
Monday, September 21, 2015
Biomarker Testing - Vectra® DA
On 16 Sep 15, my Rheumatologist decided it was time to order a blood test to look at the activity of my RD, not just my inflammation rates, because it seems my pain has been increasing, despite my medications.
The test she ordered is a biomarker test named Vectra® DA. According to the website, the test measures 12 biomarkers of RD, and it is a tool to help the rheumatologist understand how active the disease is in a patient. It looks INSIDE the body, rather than relying on the physical assessment the doctor performs. BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina published an information paper describing the procedure, to include the list of 12 markers:
The test she ordered is a biomarker test named Vectra® DA. According to the website, the test measures 12 biomarkers of RD, and it is a tool to help the rheumatologist understand how active the disease is in a patient. It looks INSIDE the body, rather than relying on the physical assessment the doctor performs. BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina published an information paper describing the procedure, to include the list of 12 markers:
- Interleukin-6
- Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Type I
- Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule I
- YKL-40
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 1
- Matrix Metalloproteinase 3
- C-reactive Protein
- Serum Amyloid A
- Leptin
- Resistin
When the test is concluded, the biomarker results are totaled and scored between 1 and 100. Vectra® explains the results in more detail, however the number is broken into three categories - 1-29 (low), 30-44 (moderate), 45-100 (high). This page also offers a link to their mobile application that will help the patient track their RD on a daily basis. It has various symptoms that can be tracked, and I highly recommend it.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Biologics
******I am not a physician or nurse. The following information I obtained while researching Biologics before my Rheum doctor prescribed them for me. I also searched WebMD (links in the blog) for the names of the medications and general information about them.******
Biologic Response Modifiers are more commonly known as Biologics. They are a "newer" way of treating Rheumatoid Disease as well as other Autoimmune Diseases.
There is not just one available, and not all of them work in the exact same way. The Biologics that have been approved for use in treating RD are:
List from WebMD:
Actemra
Cimzia
Enbrel
Humira
Kineret
Orencia
Remicade
Rituxan
Simponi
Interestingly enough, because of the similarities in AI Diseases, some of the above listed can be used to treat them as well.
According to WebMD, Biologics are made from proteins, genetically-engineered & derived from human genes. What this means is rather than mass targeting the immune system, these pinpoint a specific area.
The two methods to administer Biologics, when the options are available, are injection and infusion. The first is a self-administered shot (weekly or as prescribed), usually in the abdomen or thigh areas and in the comfort of the home. These are generally mail order and pre-filled syringes. The infusions, however, require a visit to the doctor's office, where a nurse administers the medication through IV. The frequency depends on the medication, but roughly every four weeks, the patient returns to the office.
As with all medications, there are a list of side effects for each of these medicines. One of the biggest, which I find important because I have children, is the increased risk of infections or becoming ill. My RD doctor always advises me to not administer the shot if any of the following are present: Open wounds, current infection, taking antibiotics or if one of my children is taking antibiotics. She also makes sure I receive a flu shot each year, because the flu can land me in the hospital. I also ensure my family receives their flu shots (not mists).
Biologic Response Modifiers are more commonly known as Biologics. They are a "newer" way of treating Rheumatoid Disease as well as other Autoimmune Diseases.
There is not just one available, and not all of them work in the exact same way. The Biologics that have been approved for use in treating RD are:
List from WebMD:
Actemra
Cimzia
Enbrel
Humira
Kineret
Orencia
Remicade
Rituxan
Simponi
Interestingly enough, because of the similarities in AI Diseases, some of the above listed can be used to treat them as well.
According to WebMD, Biologics are made from proteins, genetically-engineered & derived from human genes. What this means is rather than mass targeting the immune system, these pinpoint a specific area.
The two methods to administer Biologics, when the options are available, are injection and infusion. The first is a self-administered shot (weekly or as prescribed), usually in the abdomen or thigh areas and in the comfort of the home. These are generally mail order and pre-filled syringes. The infusions, however, require a visit to the doctor's office, where a nurse administers the medication through IV. The frequency depends on the medication, but roughly every four weeks, the patient returns to the office.
As with all medications, there are a list of side effects for each of these medicines. One of the biggest, which I find important because I have children, is the increased risk of infections or becoming ill. My RD doctor always advises me to not administer the shot if any of the following are present: Open wounds, current infection, taking antibiotics or if one of my children is taking antibiotics. She also makes sure I receive a flu shot each year, because the flu can land me in the hospital. I also ensure my family receives their flu shots (not mists).
Monday, August 31, 2015
Stress and Rheumatoid Disease
Stress is one of those things that can be good or it can be terrible.
Good stress would be a new baby, a wedding or other celebratory event, just about anything that would bring something happy/good into a person's life
Bad stress is that stuff that eats away at a person. Unpaid bills, divorce, death of a loved one, and the things that cause a negative/bad feeling in a person.
How a person manages their stress (and not just managing to get stressed *grins*) ultimately dictates how the body will react.
For those that subscribe to the "duck" (let everything roll off your back) theory and can put it into practice, their bodies are probably elated.
For those that struggle with stress, their bodies are definitely unhappy and rebelling.
Stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, cardiovascular problems, poor immune system, and so much more.
Even though there is no actual "cause" for Rheumatoid Disease, stress plays a contributing factor in how the body feels. With RD and other Autoimmune Diseases, the immune system is already compromised. So, being overly stressed makes the compromised immune system weaker.
To help ease the toll stress takes on the body, there are different things that can be done.
Exercise, albeit difficult, can help greatly. For a long time before my Dx, my stress relief was running. Since I started developing RD symptoms, running has been removed from my life. I have found other exercising outlets such as walking, stretching, and bike riding.
Meditation has helped as well. Sometimes just sitting alone in a room and concentrating on my breathing works wonders.
Having an "outlet" is awesome. I use creativity for mine, when my hand are cooperative. I like to draw, write, and grab crayons and a coloring book. It is amazing how calming those things can be. I also love getting lost in a good book, because for the time I am reading, I am not me, I am whichever character I choose to be.
Ask for help! Dealing with stressful situations is NOT easy, and doesn't have to be done by oneself. Sometimes, just finding people who have similar issues is a blessing.
This article from WebMD goes into more detail about all this. Most of what I posted is from personal experience and information I remember from stress management courses I attended over 15 years ago.
Good stress would be a new baby, a wedding or other celebratory event, just about anything that would bring something happy/good into a person's life
Bad stress is that stuff that eats away at a person. Unpaid bills, divorce, death of a loved one, and the things that cause a negative/bad feeling in a person.
How a person manages their stress (and not just managing to get stressed *grins*) ultimately dictates how the body will react.
For those that subscribe to the "duck" (let everything roll off your back) theory and can put it into practice, their bodies are probably elated.
For those that struggle with stress, their bodies are definitely unhappy and rebelling.
Stress can lead to eating disorders, depression, cardiovascular problems, poor immune system, and so much more.
Even though there is no actual "cause" for Rheumatoid Disease, stress plays a contributing factor in how the body feels. With RD and other Autoimmune Diseases, the immune system is already compromised. So, being overly stressed makes the compromised immune system weaker.
To help ease the toll stress takes on the body, there are different things that can be done.
Exercise, albeit difficult, can help greatly. For a long time before my Dx, my stress relief was running. Since I started developing RD symptoms, running has been removed from my life. I have found other exercising outlets such as walking, stretching, and bike riding.
Meditation has helped as well. Sometimes just sitting alone in a room and concentrating on my breathing works wonders.
Having an "outlet" is awesome. I use creativity for mine, when my hand are cooperative. I like to draw, write, and grab crayons and a coloring book. It is amazing how calming those things can be. I also love getting lost in a good book, because for the time I am reading, I am not me, I am whichever character I choose to be.
Ask for help! Dealing with stressful situations is NOT easy, and doesn't have to be done by oneself. Sometimes, just finding people who have similar issues is a blessing.
This article from WebMD goes into more detail about all this. Most of what I posted is from personal experience and information I remember from stress management courses I attended over 15 years ago.
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