Any opinion on the effectiveness of remicade vs. enbrel or humira?

[shareasmile]

My doctor wants me to consider adding a biological to my treatment. I want to hear your experience.

[knobblyknees]

Consider it big time. I've been on Humira since Sept. and its given me a new lease of life. I'm on leflumonide 20mg every day and inject Humira once every 2 weeks. Its uncomfortable but the benifits are well worth it. I am just getting over a flare in my left knee(which had to be drainded) I believe I got it because Ive been driving too much (clutch foot). I can drive because I'm not in pain. So although I got a flare I'll have to try and find the balance between rest and play. All in all, worth it.

[LesleyH]

I have been on Humira since September for my Crohns and was taken off methotrexate as it is supposed to work for both but for me it did not and after 2 months I was back on methotrexate all be it on half the dose I was before on 10 mgs. So I am take king both but have to say am really well

[magglen]

I have been on Enbrel for several years now and it has transformed my life. I walk at least two miles every day [except in the gale force winds!] I don't have any side effects. Go for it. I hope it works as well for you as it does for me xx

[Judetheobscure]

Hello - I've been on Enbrel for several years now with no discernible side effects: it has worked brilliantly. Originally it was MTX + Enbrel but the combination brought my levels of immunity down too low so now I use Enbrel alone.

Humira did not work for me but as you can see from the above Humira works well for some people. It's a question of finding the right biologic for you. As yet it can't be determined which biologic will best suit which patient. Worth a try as the results can be fast and dramatic. I've no experience of Remicade but this one is given by IV infusion at the hospital whereas Enbrel and Humira are injected by pen or syringe which you can do yourself at home.

Good Luck with the choice. NRAS has a brilliant booklet on biologics which you can either look at on line or request that a copy is sent to you. NRAS Helpline 0800 298 7650.

nras.org.uk/help_for_you/pu...

[Hidden]

Hi shareasmile

If your doc wants to give you anti Tnf then your probably not doing that well. In my 20 years with RA I have been much more well by a mile on anti tnfs than conventional disease modifying tablets. I would definitely go for it. We each respond differently so no one can advise you which drug to choose except your rheumatologist. But if one doesn't work be reassured there are plenty more to try. I wouldn't dwell on possible side effects because chances are you won't experience them. Good luck with your decision.

[Hidden]

When I was where your at, I looked at both for Humira and Enbrel, both nurse and I decided Humira, when the drug was delivered it was Enbrel! Consultant decided that was a better course for me. So although you may make your decision your consultant has the last say.

[francherry]

As judetheobscure says it's about finding the right one for you. What works well for one person may not necessarily work for someone else. After failing three DMARDS (hydroxychloroquine sulphate, methotrexate, sulphasalazine) I tried Humira but it didn't work so now on Enbrel and still not seeing a massive difference yet but I know it can take up to 12 weeks, whereas others see a difference straightaway. I take anti-histamine the day before, on injection day and the day after but that's because I'm sensitive to medication. Lots of people on here have had good results from anti-TNF drugs. I would go for it.

[julie49]

Hi I was on embrel for 3 years.it was brilliant for me,as I,d gotten used to it it no longer got any relief from the pain now I,m on humira and that's working brilliant too.no complaints what so ever....

[cathie]

All I can tell you is that remicade also goes by the name of infliximab. I was on it for ten years and did OK. Its one of the earlier generation of anti-tnfs and is derived in some way from mice. The more recent ones are linked to human proteins (I dont understand at all how they're produced) but I do know that they often work better. I think NRAS has fact sheets on their website which will tell you better than I can!

[shareasmile]

Thanks so much for all the helpful insight! I love having this resource and all of you at my fingertips! I will check out the information that NRAS has to offer, also.

[MB11]

Never taking the first two. Humara did nothing for me. I've been on Cimzia for some time it was "WAS" fabulous having some bad mornings too many consistent. Is this so new for you all to take Bio-medics it was the first treatment referred to me. Should I know something from the non- medical community?

[shareasmile in reply to MB11]

Your message came through and thank you for your reply. I live in the USA and our insurance often determines what treatment we can get and in what order. The cheapest meds usually have to be tried first and then prgress from there. So after an initial dose of prednisone to reduce the inflammation, I started with plaquenil which did nothing. Then added MTX. I still have little relief so if insurance agrees with the doctor's request, then I can start a biologic. He says it should be no problem and has suggested remicade. I am always fearful of adding more meds to my routine but I am still searching for something that works for me.

[MB11 in reply to shareasmile]

Oh lawrd' we are working me off Prednisone can't wait hopefully by the 31st of this month..

[MB11 in reply to shareasmile]

Your silly sharia smile and I'm Sarah.smiles

[MB11 in reply to MB11]

Kk, shareasmile is what I meant

[MB11]

OMG I just wrote and sent it's saying didn't go through and erased all I wrote. Let me know

[MB11]

My experience is probably not as experienced as some on this blog. I will say I'm just as f'ing confused as a ton of you being sero-negative yet 100% percent HLA-b27. So all I've known was a biomedic. Not sure it's the best I'm going through a lil' tribulation right now. Staying strong and trying to make the most of my mornings. As fat as the meds"once more humira did nada' for me Cimzia was great we'll see. Just keep it up trying more things. I really wish we had more research

[Dogrose]

I tried Humira but had to come off it almost straight away for various complicated reasons, I'm now on Infliximab (Remicade) every six weeks, it is usually every eight weeks but it just doesn't last that long for me. I get three or four good weeks then the door closes and I'm back being disabled until the next infusion. I don't get any side effects at all and the difference between the day before my infusion and the day after is amazing. It is a right royal pain in the behind having to go into hospital though, they have to admit you for the treatment and it involves lots of waiting around and paperwork. I take 5mg of MTX with it, it is the minimum amount NICE allows when you are on Infliximab. XX

[shareasmile in reply to Dogrose]

Thank you for that information. Remicade is actually what my doctor is leaning toward, so it is good to hear that it gives you relief. I am nervous, but I need to get my life back.

[Angelgirl32]

Work with your provider to figure out what is best for you. If you start one and it's not working then switch and try something different. You have to do what's best for you!

I had a bad reaction to Remicade about 10 years ago after my second infusion. My doctor said most likely it wouldn't happen again, but I didn't want to take my chances. Since then I've tried Cimzia, Imuran, Methotrexate, and Enbrel. I am currently taking Humira, I just finished my 5th injection. It doesn't hurt at all, the needles are really small, and if you are worried about having to keep them cold when you travel don't. If you take them out of the fridge and bring them to room temperature, you just have to use that dose within 14 days. I have never had a problem, and I travel a lot for work. I have both Crohn's disease and RA, and I finally feel like I'm getting my life back. The only side effect I've noticed is that I get tired shortly after I give myself the injection.

Good Luck, and I hope you find what you are looking for. Never give up on your search for the medication that is going to help you 😀

[shareasmile in reply to Angelgirl32]

Thank you Angel! Since I first posted that question, I have tried Humira and failed it. No reactions really. It just didn't work. Then I was given Enbrel and it made a difference overnight. I have used it for 16 months now and other than a hiccup now and then, it has been my miracle.

I am glad that you have found something that works for you! Thank you for sharing your experience.

All the best!