Biologics for Autoimmunity & My Humira Update

I’ve written about my experience with Humira on the blog before (like here when I talked about when I first started taking it), but it’s been awhile since I’ve mentioned it.

And with good reason! It’s been almost a year since I took my last Humira injection. According to this post, my last injection was on Monday, February 23rd, 2015.

Last March, I received a stem cell procedure to help regenerate my femur bone as I have avascular necrosis and part of my bone had died. In order to received the treatment, I had to stop my biologics. I won’t lie. I was nervous! That injection, in my eyes, had really been helping me to manage my disease and was helping me get back to living a “normal” life.

So how have I been doing since then?

To put it bluntly, AWESOME.

Honestly, I’ve been doing so great. I know there are a lot of different factors that have gone into why I’m doing so well, but I can truly say that I’ve been thriving without my Humira. Now, that’s not to say that if I started having problems again I wouldn’t turn to biologics. I’ve seen their power, I’ve seen how beneficial they can be, I’ve seen how they helped me start to manage my disease.

Do I think they’re the be all, end all in fighting autoimmunity?

No. I definitely don’t think that.

Why? Well, because they’re not addressing the root cause of your condition. Sure, they’re helping to suppress your immune system, but they’re not tackling the reason your immune system was fighting itself in the first place.

That’s why I truly believe it’s imperative to make other changes while on biologics.

What kind of changes?

Diet, adding an exercise/movement plan into your life, stress management, meditation, changing your outlook, eliminating toxins from your life, detoxing from heavy metals and other toxic build up in your body, helping balance your nervous system, supplementing your diet and lifestyle with quality supplements that help arm your body, supporting your bodies systems to work efficiently. . . There are so many different things you need to do, that there isn’t one sure-fire way to address everyone’s autoimmunity. (Click here to view my 5 part series on how I manage my psoriatic arthritis)

I truly believe that it’s an equation that must be settled on an individual by individual basis. 

But, I really believe that being on a biologic helped me calm down the fire in my body and allowed me time to make these changes to help support my body.

What’s the best biologic to take?

When it comes to biologics, there are many different options out there. I recently wrote a post for HealthCentral about the difference between infusion biologics and self-injectable biologics. I really believes it’s imperative that you are as knowledgeable as you can be before starting a medication.

If a biologic is something you’re looking into trying, I’d suggest you check out this article and do as much research as you can before starting your medication. Knowledge is power. With different options, you have the ability to make the choice that will support your life the best.

http://www.healthcentral.com/skin-care/c/357092/179390/biologics-infusions/?ap=423

When it comes to managing your condition, you have to do what’s BEST for YOU. You have a decision in the matter and it’s your responsibility to learn as much as you can.

Know that life with biologics isn’t a death sentence. Use them as a tool to help you manage your inflammation and then start looking for other ways you can help modify your life to support whole health and whole healing in your body.

I’m so grateful for my time on Humira. I was on the biologic for 2 years – the first year I was on it every other week and the second year I was on it weekly. This drug helped reign in my overactive immune system and helped give me the strength to make dietary and lifestyle changes.

Just know that embarking on a life with a biologic can be scary at first, but it can be life changing. For the better!

Wishing You A Pain Free Day!