Side Effects of Biologic Medications

Vicky Ruffing, RN, shares some useful information on possible side effects when using biological medications.

[isayc]

I'm 58 years old. I've been injecting Humira and taking Methotrexate tablets for almost 20 years. These did not prevent me from having complex wrist replacement and many surgeries to correct that replacement. One of the side-effect is that I developed scars in my lungs and wrongly diagnosed with ILD (interstitial lung disease). I also keep getting coughs and cold. My immune system was so weak.
I learned about Ketogenic diet on YouTube from proper medical doctors who believes in alternative treatment and food as medicine and fasting.
I stopped all my medication and been doing Ketogenic diet for maybe 2 years now. I lost weight, no more knee pains, no inflammation (or very minimal in my thumbs), I'm able to walk my dog to the forest near us everyday without a fail while doing some stretching. I felt stronger and more cheerful. Maybe not for everyone but it works for me.
I hope people and real medical doctors will find time learning about it.

[gnothiseauton]

I’ve just been offered it- but at 49 I’m not going to risk messing around with my immune system not to mention the other risks- I think I’m going to stick with diet adjustments, ketogenic alternatives, exercise and fasting. I’m too nervous

[tiportangeles]

My Dr. is pushing Humira on me, I said, Hell NO! Even if it were free, still Hell to the NO!

[Allia]

I been on Enbrel for 7 years and the only thing i would get was kidney infections from time to time, overall it helped me put my RA in remission. I got off of it 9 years ago, still in remission this days.

[karendeaderick]

My husband got a pacemaker pocket infection, it had to be removed and placed on the other side of his chest, all the leads had to be removed also. Be very careful with these types of medications!

[cherielatson]

Thank you ma'am, this info is very helpful.

[n.r.s]

Currently on entyvio and Im suffering from chest infection and severe bone ache that wakes me up from my sleep

[HopeinJesus]

The stakes are very high. I pray I will be OK, very nervous as I just started Humira today 🙏

[palafox]

Sudden cessation of enbrel (very 1st biologic) for rheumatoid AR caused palmoplantar pustular psoriasis. To treat THAT the dermatologist tried Cyclosporine - affected my liver function - stopped. Cosentyx caused severe esophageal thrush - stopped. Can't tell me the side effects are rare! If you can live without biologics & they are not absolutely necessary DON'T AGREE to ANY of them.

[austinwest]

My treatment progression over 6 years of crohn's was prednisone, remicade (infusion every 8 weeks, worked for 4 weeks). After my presenting symptoms progressed from diarrhea to crohn's related arthritis attacks, I was on Humira. This was very for 2+ years until I had my second Moderna covid vaccination. I went into a flare less than 24 hours after having no reactions to the first or second injections. The flare lasted for nearly 7 months. We switched to Stelara and it has been very effective for the past year. I am convinced there was a connection with the moderna/humira and my flare. When I received my infusion for Stelara, the nurse was emphatic that I was correct as she had a friend who experienced the same reaction. Your take?

[manikyamusharani]

My uncle is having fever for the last 25 days. He had biological injections 6 months ago. All fever work up including CT scans are normal, except mild thrombocytopenia. Please suggest further course

[rca]

My mother was on Remicade for her RA. She got histoplasmosis and died. My husband has RA and I'm seriously worried about him taking any biologics.

[blankblank]

Thanks so much.This was very informative 🌟

[Marreroortiz]

What about if i have AUTOINMMUNE HEPATITIS ?

[timlee]

I take humira. The injection site is zero, , , the pain is non existent. My experience

[phxbarb]

severe depression, panic attacks and anxiety can also occur. Never do Humira if you have any depressive symptoms in your history. Very bad sinus infection required antibiotics to get rid of it.

[annlyon.]

Is Truxima one of these ? I just found out that my doctor want s me to have infusion of this. I hate drug reactions ! I can hardly take pills for my RA !

[donaldtenn-]

I was on Humira(Adalimumab) for 15 years. The only issue I noticed was, as stated, my immune system was considerably lower, and, after about 12 years it was not as effective.
Then the unknown variables with what was then called the Coronavirus came about and I just quit taking the Humira. I KNOW MY BODY, I told my doctors and they also agreed, "That is probably a good idea"
Now, 15 months later, just had my 3rd shot of Enbrel(Etanercept). I have read reviews in Amgen's data stating some people have positive reactions to Enbrel after 1 or 2 weeks. I believe a positive outlook is important, but, I also believe that is asking a bit much. I am going with the majority review being 3 months!
As a matter of record, after the first 3 months on Humira, I felt much better!

[filipinophreak]

Im on tremya, ive had several headaches and diarrhea..

[jeffwolf]

I've tried 6 or 7 different biological monoclonal antibodies for Crohn's in every last one of them either does nothing at all or destroys me. Strangely enough the worst one was the last one I tried and was stelara. That left me with no energy and bed bound for weeks at a time for almost 9 months. I think I took it three times.