Hi JC,
I'm on methotrexate since October, and have had 2 injections of Humira, so it's kinda soon to tell about that one. Methotrexate can take 3 months to kick in, so give it some time. The Humira is supposed to work more quickly (some on the list have had it kick in in a few DAYS, but most of what I read says up to 4 weeks). I haven't been back to my rheumy yet, so not sure how well it's working for me. I feel your pain, though - the fatigue is soooo what gets me! Oh, tried Plaquenil but that didn't do much for me so I was taken off last October. I hope this proves to be the magic cocktail for you, JC!! :)

I was on Humira and mxt for 3 months. It did help with the fatigue and the pain in my big joints (hips, knees, shoulders), not so much with my hands and feet, but it helped to not be so exhausted. Unfortunately, it seemed to stop working, so now my rheumy has moved me to Enbrel. Hang in there, and God Bless!

Hey! I've been on Plaquinil in the past, didn't work.......been on Methotrexate for 6months, not working......starting Humira as soon as I get up the courage to give my first injection. It's been in my fridge for a week. Just nervous about it! I hear you on the tiredness. I think that's the one thing people understand even less than the pain from RA. Even my husband struggles to understand that I'm sooooo wiped out/tired. I get as much sleep as him, so he just doesn't get it.

Anyway, good luck to you!!! Jen

thanks for the comments.... had my first shot this afternoon.. was a little nervous but it didn't even hurt.... wow, i was really surprised. i'll keep you posted.

and jen, i know what you mean about people not understanding.... i feel as if friends think i'm just depressed and i need to "snap out of it"... of course, i know they all love and care about me, but it is hard for people to understand when you don't look sick.... trying to work through these feelings as well (not getting angry)... i am glad i found this support group... now at least i know i'm not crazy! :)

I found for the Embrel or Humira (took both of them). I would take the pen out before I got in the shower to let it get to room temp. then upon shower completion, I used an alcohol pad to re-clean the area and the key was to let the alcohol dry as this can cause a stinging sensation. I used to push the thigh flat and push the injector tight on the leg and that caused a bruise for me. So I started pulling the skin up and putting the injector against the leg but not super hard, once you push the button it is only a little sting and do your count. Actually very easy to do. Have the band aid ready in case you get a little trickle of blood and as I got better, no blood trickle and if not for the light impression of the round end of the injector, it would have been hard to find the spot. Don't want to scare anyone but once you do the first one, it is all a case of mind. Put the radio on, calm down, take a deep breath and have everything lined up and it goes much better. I did this for over a year and it took longer to get the supplies out than to do the injection and put a band aid on..........the problem is these just did not work for me but certainly work for many other people.

I've had RA for five years now and I would say the fatigue wore off in about 6 months, but everybody is different. Also, you are very wise to try and not get angry about friends/family not understanding RA....I was very angry about this in the beginning and isolated myself which didn't help with depression. It still makes me mad sometimes when "friends" don't understand the word chronic but I think to myself that I didn't know anything about RA before I had it either so what do I expect. Good luck.
Sue

Hey JC,
I've been on Humira since Nov and the medicine burns really bad going in. So now I ice my leg down before the injections and it has gotten a little better. However when it comes to needles i am a big baby so :-). I hope it works well for you keep me posted.

I don't know about anyone else but when I talked to my rheumy about the increased fatigue after starting on MTX, she suggested that I increase my intake of folic acid. That has worked wonders for me! Before I was scared to drive because I thought that I would fall asleep driving to and from work. Don't get me wrong, I still have some fatigue and love to be able to take naps whenever possible, but it's not something that is debilitating anymore.

Hey I have been on Humira since Oct. I feel alot better now. I still have alot of fatigue but somedays its not to bad.It does gave me a very bad headache the next day. But its getting better now. The shot itself not to bad, My 11 year old son gives it to me.I think it helps him understand my RA and makes him feel like he helping me with it.

GOD BLESS ANG GOOD LUCK....

Had my first shot on Monday, no pain, it was a breeze and let me tell you... I feel soooo much better than I have in months. The effect for me was almost immediate. I had more energy the past two days than I have had in weeks. Almost felt like my old self again. I took my methotrexate today. Not all that excited about taking methotrexate due to the "no alcohol" and "stay out of the sun" warnings... has anyone taking humira without methotrexate?

thanks everyone for the comments!

JC

JC-thanks for saying it wasn't "that bad". I think I MIGHT do my Humira injection today...if I gather the courage! :) I've been doing my Methotrexate injections for several months...so I think I'll be able to talk myself into it soon! :) My rheumy told me once the Humira had been in my system for awhile, he was going to gradually go down on my MTX doses. As for the "no alcohol"...I can honestly say I don't follow that rule! :) I'm not a heavy drinker by any means...but have one or two a couple times a month, and occass indulge (like on my trip to Jamaica in Nov). My liver function tests are always excellent, so it depends on each person. Hope the Humira keeps working for you, and hope I can manage to take mine today! Jen

I did humira w/o MTX - i failed MTX so take Arava instead (it's daily not weekly). I had fairly decent initial results with that combo.

My RA doc intends to slowly remove the MTX from the Humira. I will not see him for another 2 months, so I expect to start decreasing the MTX at that time.