I started enbrel in late 2005 early 2006 and have been on it ever since but in Oct I was put on Humira due to the fact that it was thought that the enbrel had stopped working for me.

I'm back on the enbrel again personally much prefer it to Humira which I think was too strong for me and I also noticed a significant amount of hair in the shower after using Humira for just a short time and didn't really notice any benefits from it's use either.Just my experience.My Dr. said enbrel is more "Rat" derived whereas "humira" is more human derived hence the name.

i've been on humira for about 2 months now, and much to my surprise, can actually use my right hand for a few things again! i use the prefilled pens, which are a cinch to use for me-i'm terrified of needles! just press against the skin and push the button, poof! it's done. no pain, and so far some gain. i also take mtx, and folic acid to help with the hair loss from the mtx. and protonix, to stop the upset stomach from the mtx. but the mtx and humira together, so far, have started to give me some relief. good luck with whichever you choose! (one reason i chose the humira is 1 shot every other week vs 1 shot per week with enbrel).

Hi, Carole. One reason I chose Humira over Enbrel was the frequency of injections: every two weeks instead of weekly. Since I had a lot of hand and wrist pain, I asked for the pens because I wasn't sure if I could use a regular syringe. I've heard that the pen hurts more, but I haven't had too much discomfort (except last week, but that's a whole different story). As for side effects, I haven't noticed any from the Humira. My side effects seem to come from the methotrexate.

I've been taking the prefilled Enbrel click pens for about 1 1/2 years. It did work for me, and put me in remission. I take it along with MTX. Although it works, the injections hurt like a mother trucker. I usually ice and numb the spot a little before I take it, it helps a little. I hate having to take it weekly.

Hi I started on Humira first and felt wonderful for a few months then it stopped working for me. I then was put on Ebrel and it worked for a few months then stopped. Moved on to Remicaide and I am now on Orencia. Still with some aches and pains, but it's holding me.

Thanks everyone for the replies. Lots of stuff to think about. I have been on MTX for about a year now just having added the Sulfazalazine three months ago. The MTX has helped a lot (not so sure about the Sulfazalzine) but I still have some inflammation. The new Rheumy upped my MTX to 8 pills a week but didnt think that the increase in dosage would change things too much. I have a month before I go back to him so I have a little time to consider taking the next step to either Enbrel or Humira.

Carole:

I've used both and neither really worked well so I'll be moving on to either Orencia or Rituxan.

I wanted to respond to you about the drug delivery system. I have used prefilled syringes. With the pens, I bruised terribly and half the time could not get them to work. With the syringes, I have control, no bruising and no problems. They were familiar to me; I've been giving my dog twice daily syringes of insulin for years!

Lynne