Use Humira to Overcome Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain

Humira is a prescription medicine for an injectable drug called adalimumab. The drug helps individuals with rheumatoid arthritis slow the progression of the condition, relieve pain and improve joints functions. Patients who have been diagnosed or suspected to have rheumatoid arthritis are usually advised to see a specialist called a rheumatologist for proper diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis(referred to as RA) is an autoimmune condition where an individual’s immune system attacks its own tissues and joints and sometimes internal organs, causing pain and swelling. Although RA is quite a serious, incurable condition, however, early diagnosis is important, and advancement in treatments has made the condition quite manageable. The good thing is that early diagnosis makes it possible for various medical interventions to slow down or stop the progression of the disease.

Proper diagnosis of RA is the key to managing the condition. RA is diagnosed with various tests including blood tests, review of x-ray and ultrasound images and examination of joints and other body organs. The blood tests look for antibodies in the individual’s blood.

Symptoms and Signs of Having Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis affects joint linings and symptoms include joint stiffness, tenderness, swelling, redness and pain, weight loss, fatigue among others. Left untreated RA can lead to bone erosion and joint deformity and may require joint replacement surgeries or knee replacement surgeries.

Using Humira

Once diagnosed with RA it is important to start medications immediately to avoid permanent damage to your joints. There are various treatments for RA. Most RA patients are usually put on disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and other drugs.

However, if the condition is serious, then the patient may require biologic agents which work by stopping immune system chemical signals. Humira is a biologic response modifier, and your rheumatologist may give you a prescription of Humira with a mixture of other drugs with methotrexate or some other drugs. Humira manages effectively symptoms of moderate to severe RA in adults.

Humira is given through a self-injection every 14 days, or as recommended by your rheumatologist. Unfortunately, Humira works by suppressing the immune system and may cause some adverse reactions in the body and patients may get infections as a result. Side effects can include rashes, pneumonia, and headaches.

Ensure to let your doctor know of all your known allergies and if you have other illnesses. The drug is not recommended for nursing or pregnant women.

Humira Prescription Assistance Programs

If you have RA, you will be on a long-term treatment plan which comes with cost implications. The good news is that there are various prescription assistance programs which can help manage Humira cost or enable you to get free Humira. You can also get Humira coupons which can discount the drug to an affordable level.

How to Live with Rheumatoid Arthritis

If you have been diagnosed with moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis, Humira together with other strategies your doctor will recommend, e.g.; physiotherapy will reduce the symptoms and put the disease in remission. You will need to be monitored by your rheumatologist for checkups several times in a year.  Managing RA well will help you live a normal life going about your daily activities.

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