Why are you waiting for a side effect? Just curious. I never had side effects with any biologic that quickly except Enbrel that gave me the worst headache of my life, and I barely made it home from the hospital.

I have heard Humira burns. But if it works, it is worth it. I couldn't take Humira because of my liver. Let us know when you are starting to feel better.

I never had any side effects with Humira. It burned a little - but actually I thought it was much less painful to inject in my abdomen. I know some people are a little freaked out by shots in their abdomen, but I much preferred that than my thighs. I also let it sit out of the fridge for 15-20 minutes before injecting and it seemed to burn less.

to be kind and gentle - yeah that first injection of that first biologic is a big deal. but when you get to the multi hundred injection of yet another biologic you will let down in worry :) - for now go do something fun - make ghiradelli brownies and eat the entire pan. live on the edge.

i use my thigh, I can't inject into my stomach. and I ice. and I have the doc script for syringes not those silly hydraulic things that whooooosh in all at once. and if you can do humira without whining you can do any of them. i found that one the most stingy of the biologic lot. but the icing of my thighs helped and yeah you always leave the pen out - i use a kitchen timer to let me know when it has been out a 1/2 hour. that helps a lot.

kudos to you.

depot

Thanks for all the advice. One more question. How long does it take humira to work? I'm not waiting for a side effect it's just something always goes wrong with most of my meds and also I'm a big worrier.

I was in remission for about two years on Humira. May have been on methatrexate too, can't remember. It will take several weeks - maybe as much as 6 weeks to feel the full effect.

ask your rheumatologist also but you should be getting an answer from something like 2 months to 4 months short and long. if your doc kept you on the concurrent dmard (like mtx for example, only) or kept you on pred (as an example only) as a bridge it's cause the doc knows it takes time for it to kick in.

depot

Ok thank you. I can't wait to start feeling better.

Liza,

Why on earth are you waiting for a side effect? Or waiting for a panic attack? You're setting yourself up for failure that way. It's time to accept that you have a disease and that you're fortunate enough to be able to treat it. So [I say this firmly, but with kindness], it's time to put your big girl panties on.

I know many people, including me, who are on Humira and have never, ever had one side effect. In fact, a side effect on Humira would be an uncommon occurrence.

No, Humira does not burn if given correctly.

~ Take the pen out of the refrigerator
~ Begin this mantra: "Humira will work, Humira will work....."
~ Put an ice pack on your stomach or leg for 15 minutes or so
~ Remove the ice and wipe the injection site with alcohol swab
~ Dry off the alcohol [I wipe the site with Kleenex]
~ Pinch the injection site [not tightly, but just enough to pull up the skin]
~ Inject

I've been doing this for 6 years and never had a problem, never any pain, and never any burn

I use the pens. I saw results in 3 weeks.

Wow 3 weeks. That's amazing. I'm trying to not be so negative all the time. I've always been the one to say "What if". I know I have to stop and I will put on my big girl panties