Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Ms. Southern:

I was on Humera for awhile and later Enbrel - neither one really helped. No side effects, just not helpful although I know both have worked for other people.

Lynne

i have been on humira since april 07. it worked for me with in a few days. i love it. course i love to be able to use my hands normally. there for awhile before the humira i was trying to find new ways to use them to get normal things done. hey if you have any particular questions, message me on the ds site. hugs, deby

I've been using the Humira pens for about a year. I noticed improvement sometime after the second dose. I had an unusual reaction (a huge injection-site welt) in January, but that didn't repeat, thank goodness. Like Deby, I love being able to use my hands again. Before Humira, starting the car was a painful ordeal! Since Humira affects the immune system, I worried about catching every bug that the family brought home, but I've had only one cold in the last year.

i've been on humira since the end of november, and totally enjoy being able to use my hands--although my fiance did enjoy dressing me...LOL! the only side effects i've had with it are a small amount of fatigue, but by doing my shots in the evening that's not an issue. to me, it's wonderful! (and i'm the originial needle chicken!)
brat

Hi Ms.Southern, I was on Humira in 2006 and when I went on it I felt like I got my life back immediately. I felt like I could leap over a mountain. I was on it for about 6 months and then I had a bad flare lasting 5 days. It started not to work for me and I then went to Enbrel, then Remicaid for a while and I am now on Orencia. I still have break through pain and am also on Arava and Plaquenil. Thus far no side effects except hair thinning with the MTX that I was on. Good luck with it.

I'm currently on Humira once a week. It helps me alot. It took about a month to kick in, but the wait was worth it. I suggest using the syringe...not pen injection. I got a part of my life back and the pain is alot better. It's worth trying it.

I started Humira in November. I had what I consider to be a "flare reaction"...started a horrible flare a few days after the first (pen) shot. The flare subsided so I continued. Still feeling not great, then got a pretty nasty respiratory infection so stopped it for 2 injections (every 2 weeks for me). When I started back...I flared. The next time, I still felt worse after. So we are holding it for a month, then we'll decide.

I personally prefer the pen. I had to do insulin injections during one of my pregnancies, and for me the pen is much easier...kind of a 'no brainer.' I take it out the fridge, set the timer for 15 minutes, then do the injection. No burning to speak of. I really don't mind it.

Good luck!

3-10-09
Hi Ms Souther,

Really happy to know some can tolerate these strong RA drugs but you must be prepared and also know the possible downside for some.

My friend had bad reactions from them and had to stop.

Go to www.mercola.com and type in the search box Humira or the other names.

Read all the articles.

This isn't meant to scare you but I sure would want to have all the information both Pro & Con before starting this drug.

Pain is not fun and I wish you good health.

Please research alternative RA treatments.

Alkaline diet, MSM and ??? Tons of info out there. How to reduce inflammation in the body.

Google alternative RA treatments and see what comes up.

Again try research on www.mercola.com and see what info he has on RA.

Good Luck.

Lucyebony

I have been on Humira since NOV 2006 and it has worked well for me with a combo of MTX and Plaquenil. I like having the ease of taking the pen shots at home but its hurts a little bit(I do them in my leg). I have had a complication of getting repetitve herpes simplex (cold sore) eye infections since I have been on it and I have to stay on a maintainance dose of acyclovir to keep them from reoccuring(I had 6 infections within 1 year, the worst of which I had it in my eyes, nose, and throat and was out of work for 5 days-- the first time). I don't mean to scare you but I had had 1 cold sore in my lifetime before RA and this was really bad when I had the first infection. The eye doctor told me I could go blind if it had been left untreated.

But with that said if doing the main. dose keeps me ok, I will take any medicine to help my RA pain and to keep my joints from deteriating.

Misty

I am so glad you posted this message. I am on 6 MTX every week and just started Humira pen. Last wednesday was my second shot. I have a question though for you experts :P Last nihgt I started feeling really weird, like my bones in my hands were becoming really prominent (hard to explain) and felt extremely antsy, couldnt keep still. The only way to describe is that felt like my fingers were growing (I sswear I had not been drinking either!). Anyway, now I feel better but like I just got over the flu. Is this the Humira (feeling off for about a week...just weird stuff) or am I trying to get another flare? I am fairly new to RA (Dec 08) so I am still trying to figure it out.

The plus side is I can wear rings again.

Alicia