ArteMie journey with Humira

[jiml]

I always wear my pink tutu to the bar ......so you shouldn't feel uncomfortable  

I do  

[Grizzly Bear]

So. Fridge broke down, for the second time. First time with old fridge; no pens lost.( This time; lost three Humira pens. One of which I could still have used within 14 days of being at room temperature. 

Caused a bit of stress, them being so expensive. And then there was mr. ArteMie, thinking to help, putting them in the freezer.... So, hospital told me to throw them all out and get new pens.  Ofcourse in the evening of the day I was supposed to take it. Can't be mad at mr Artemie of course! The freezer part stayed on, though second-hand, it's a fancy fridge, it's got LEDs! )

So, had to take a day of and go to the hospital to pick up 3 new boxes with 6 pens. That's like... a lot of money worth of fancy meds =] In public transport, with a strange white cooler box. Don't rob me please =]

One day late with jabbing the meds in, but I'm told that's not a big problem; Humira has a 'half-life' of 10 to 20 days. And we're all different, So who can tell. And; have no idea what half-life is, since I try to live it at it's fullest 

No cost involved, luckily! Meanwhile there's still thinning of patches and less flaking, although not so fast as first. Not sure if this means it's not gonna work and my body makes antibodies, or that it just takes time. 

Not so bone tired this time, but it's sunday: monday usually is involved to in the tiredness, so not sure yet since I took the Humira a day late.

Fridge is still broken but replacement part is being put in tomorrow by shop, since it's still under warranty. We've got a small temp fridge to tie us over. Guarding meds with life. 

Wore a short sleeved dress to a party friday, elbow spots almost gone. Only felt a little self conscious. And when we have friends visiting our garden house and it's sunny; i just wear my short summer dresses. Not in public (yet?) , but it feels good. 

   ArteMie

I do hope that your fridge is working now ArteMie

Hopefully it won't be long before you start wearing your summer dresses out and about

GB

[artemie]

So, just got back from first check up. They took blood and urine samples. Next checkup well in september. 

Dermatologist was very pleased. Not there yet, but seeing these 1 month results makes her think Humira will work for me, probably almost clear in september. Tiredness a few days after taking shot of Humira will probably pass in the next 3 to 4 months she thinks. So all good. Lets hope it lasts for me for a long time and in a good, healthy way.

Lesions are a lot thinner, less flaking. Only a bit flakey in the brain, but that is fairly normal =]
Some lesions are almost gone, some are still a bit 'thick', but none of the overall thick patches with fast flaking anymore. 

Now, time to pack, off to a festival, next Humira shot this thursday. Back next wednesday I think. Short sleeves, just a bit longer for those teeny tiny flimsy dresses. 

Cheerio! Have a great week, wipe my barstool before I get back =]

   ArteMie

[Caroline]

So, just got back from first check up. They took blood and urine samples. Next checkup well in september. 

Dermatologist was very pleased. Not there yet, but seeing these 1 month results makes her think Humira will work for me, probably almost clear in september. Tiredness a few days after taking shot of Humira will probably pass in the next 3 to 4 months she thinks. So all good. Lets hope it lasts for me for a long time and in a good, healthy way.

Lesions are a lot thinner, less flaking. Only a bit flakey in the brain, but that is fairly normal =]
Some lesions are almost gone, some are still a bit 'thick', but none of the overall thick patches with fast flaking anymore. 

Now, time to pack, off to a festival, next Humira shot this thursday. Back next wednesday I think. Short sleeves, just a bit longer for those teeny tiny flimsy dresses. 

Cheerio! Have a great week, wipe my barstool before I get back =]

   ArteMie

Have a good time at your festival ArteMie !!!

[jiml]

Great news it's going in the right direction Artemie. Let's hope it continues to get you clear and keep you clear for a long time ..... then you can do the festivals in the skimpy dresses without feeling self conscious...

I'll make sure Grizzly cleans your bar stool properly, have a great time at the festival ....and get some sun on your skin    

[artemie]

thanks Caroline! =] We go with the firetruck, one simply must travel in style.
tnx Jim! Now leaving with a great picture in my mind of GB in a flowery tie on skirt dusting off the bar stool with a feather duster. Teehee =] I'll just leave that image here.

I'll try to take some pictures for the photo journal.

[Fred]

That's sounding good Artemie and nice to see you keeping positive about it.

Yes I think you will find the tiredness gets better as you get used to it. So onwards and upwards, keep it up.

Enjoy the festival and don't worry about your barstool, Jim goes around with the pressure washer the first Monday of the month so it will be nice and shiny by the time you come back.

[Maryam]

It's september! How are you ArteMie?

[artemie]

hi Maryam, tnx for enquiring =]
Not sure how it is at the moment; a lot of stress at home (it'll be fixed soon) and because of being tired to the bone, I had my blood checked at my regular doctor for iron deficiency, vitamins and such. Also because the less stress on the body, the better it is for (or against of course) psoriasis. Turned out the liver values were high, (only a bit) so she called to the dermatologist for me to check this. Apparently Humira can do that. Found the same in a Facebook Humira support group (which is noooooooo way as nice as being here with you funny lot  Rest of the blood work was fine. So, back to the dermatologist on the 14th, check blood and that very evening, when my next shot is due, I'll know if I can continue or not.

P seems to be going up and down and I can't really see much progress, Mr ArteMie can see a bit less spots, but I also consider thickness. So a bit less scaling but the up going trend of P disappearing, I can't see anymore. Thickening and stopped fading.

So we'll see. I'm now in 'the program' at the research hospital, so I don't have to fight anymore to get other meds, options galore thankfully.

   ArteMie

[Caroline]

Good that at least the fights are over ArteMie. That is also a nice stress reducing factor.