Can ANYONE tell me about Humira Experience ?!

[ThomasFPJ]

I am getting ready to switch from Methotrexate to Humira.. I was curious to find out about experiences with Humira and any Side Effects !? I had an AWFUL EXPERIENCE Methotrexate! My side effects were EXTREME and THE WORST , Literally! So any and all input would be greatly appreciated !! THANK YOU!..Tommy

[allanah]

Methotrexate didn't suit me but Humira was great. Worked quickly but in my case stopped working. I found the pen easy to use but DO remember to take it out of the fridge half hour before use as it really hurts when it's cold.

I found their website and assistance helpful too. I would go for it and would as a previous user recommend it. I know others whose life changed on it, good luck , it's great you r being considered for biologics. Xx

[Hidden]

I've done 4 Humira injections without any problems. There are some things to look out for with biologics, for example the risk of infections getting out of control, but you don't hear much about nagging side effects. Go for it, worrying just isn't worth it - much better to show the disease who's boss!

[Grosen]

Hi Thomas. I have been on Humira for 6 months now but it hasn't had much effect on me yet. i find the injections easy to handle and the only side effect is a red patch where I inject. I would say go for it and good luck.

[Jeanabelle60]

Sorry, but on the down side......well I have to start by saying that Humira, when i started using it was brilliant. I was almost pain free for the first time in 18 months of absolute misery. Then on day i was visiting a neighbour when I got this 'closing in feeling'....i left her house and made my way home, just around the corner. I had to stop once as i thought i was going to be sick......i just got into my own bungalow, went straight to the bathroom and experienced projectile vomiting that was the colour of chocolate. I have only ever experienced this once before when i had extreme food poisoning.

When I was able I foned my Rheumy team and was told to stop the Humira at once and to come over to the Rheumy ward asap.

Since then i have been on 3 other Bio's. I had side effects on all of them. On a happier note I am now on Abatacept for nearly 2 years and I am in very, very good health. I can do almost everything i could do before i became very ill. I have a slight limp and my hands don't always do what i want them to do but i manage very well no matter. I had one flare in the Spring that lasted a few weeks, besides that i have been feeling wonderful.

What I'm saying is 'don't give up'.....there are other alternatives. As far as I know Abatacept is the last of the Bio's available on the NHS. It can be a real struggle at times. I know this very well but i am proof that they can help.

all the best. Jean

[ladydeerthorpe]

Hello. I have been on HUMIRA over a year. Struggled to move duvet to get out of bed, now I

am greatly improved, can even get out of the bath!. Only side effect was HIVES,...severe itching legs and

ankles. Cleared after about 10 weeks. Good Luck.

[NeonkittyUK]

Humira did not give me any side effects ... just did not give me anything! We are all different so no reason to think it won't work for you. Many people say Humira is painful .. I didn't find any more painful than Enbrel and to be honest all needles are going to sting for a few moments. Just have it out of the fridge at room temp for half an hour but don't keep it out too long. I was told with both the clickpens I used, to do it straight down in the top front of the thigh ... no pinching up of flesh. The nurse will guide you anyhow before you are allowed to do yourself. I hope Humira work great for you. The nurse stays with you for half an hour or so, to ensure no immediate allergic reactions to the med so you are safe there. Good luck!

[abednegomonkey]

Hi Tommy

I had terrible side effects from MTX and stopped it very early on after about 8 weeks. I was then put on Humira (after disasters with Leflunomide and Aziathiaprine) and have been on it over 2 years now. It has been amazing. I didn't have a single side effect. So definitely worth trying. I do take 5 mg of prednisolone with it as I couldn't tolerate anything else.

Occasionally the injections sting... but I do take them out the fridge in advance to help alleviate that. The benefits 100% outweigh the stinging!

Hope it goes well for you too.

[ThomasFPJ in reply to abednegomonkey]

Thank you for your insights! I certainly appreciate them !! I get to meet my new Rheumatologist on Thursday at the University of Cincinnati and I am certainly looking forward to it ! I Will be making posts on how it goes ! I am glad to have this blog, it has been a cushion for this turbulent ride I have been on !! Even though my father suffers from R.A. also, its nice to have a place to talk and be understood and have support ! ! I you have a great week and will be back on with my progress! Thank you again ! Tommy

[LindaEster in reply to ThomasFPJ]

Hi,

I have been on Humira and Methotrexate since 2008, it was a miracle drug. I could still run and do marathons. Just the last year I've been getting small rashes and then in March I broke out in hives. Still dealing with it, took a biopsy. I will find out I will get results in a week. I'm pretty sure its the Humira.

[phil399]

Hi, I hope you have success with Humira. I was on it for several years for psoriasis. The first few years it was a miracle drug for me. Almost complete clearing of symptoms. Then it slowly started losing its effectiveness, but I continued to use it because it was the best thing I had ever used, even at only maybe 70% of the effectiveness it once had for me. Sadly, recently I started getting severe hives, a couple of times including swelling of the lips and tongue. After some trial-and-error testing over the next couple of months, it was determined that the Humira was the culprit, so my dermatologist pulled me off of it and the hives/swelling went away almost immediately.