Benlysta Cure: Not Overnight But Over Time
Benlysta: Patience and Healing
Benlysta is a drug invented by Human Genome Sciences, a pharmaceutical company that has been in the forefront of autoimmune research. Their latest drug, Benlysta, which at this writing is on the verge of approval, has been in clinical trials for the past seven years. I know. I’ve been on it since February of 2004 under its first name, LymphostatB
When I was admitted to the Phase II study, I had no idea that in a few years I would feel totally normal again. The drug Belimumab inhibits the autoimmune patient’s runaway B cells. In normal immune systems, the B cells have a normal course of life, then they die. But in many lupus patient’s immune systems, the B cells run rampant, causing arthritis, bone aches, hives, and fatigue. Curb the B cells, and the body can get itself back to normal. This “normal” however, does not happen overnight.
Around the blogosphere, I’ve been disheartened to hear comments like, “It takes six months! No way I’m waiting.” These people don’t get it. Benlysta is not a steroid masking the symptoms. Benlysta is not a magic analgesic hiding the symptoms. Benlysta keeps the B cells from destroying your body and allows your body to heal itself.
This is a breakthrough! I know this for sure as it’s happened to me.
These were my lupus symptoms in 2004:
Rashes
A peculiar shawl shaped rash on my back
Hives
Yeast rashes on my face
Giant erdicadia popping up on my head and face
Extreme sun sensitivity – sun burn from florescent lights, sunburn from sitting near a window
Reynaud’s Syndrome – tingling fingers, swollen and painful fingertips
Miocitus in my arm muscles – unable to lift my arms past my chest, loss of arm strength
Arthritis in my joints
Aching bones
Fatigue Syndrome
Esophagal spasms
Difficulty swallowing
Sudden fevers
Uncontrollable muscle twitching in my legs and arms
Neuropathy on the bottom of my feet, making walking painful
Low white cell count
Low red cell count
It is now December, 2010 and I have none of these symptoms. Back in 2004, I noticed a slight improvement in two to three months. My skin rashes weren’t as troublesome and I had a little less fatigue.
At the beginning of the study, I took an infusion every two weeks for three months, then every month since. Every symptom slowly improved, then disappeared. After three years, even the sun sensitivity left, yet doctors told me the sun sensitivity would never go away. They had never heard of or seen anyone’s acute sun sensitivity get better. But Benlysta seems to have allowed my body to heal from the inside out and even this dibiltating malady melted away. Benlysta is not a steroid! Benlysta is not a pain pill!
So to those people who whine and say, “I have to wait for results?” I say, how long did it take your body to get in this condition? If you decide to take Benlysta, give your body some time so it can come back. Healing takes time.
I am not a doctor, but if you want to ask me any questions about my experiences taking Benlysta, I will do my best to respond.
