Humira

[Outhwaite1]

I have just been to see my R H nurse who advised me about going onto humid injections

But then went on to tell me about how bad the side effects can be i.e. Infections and all sorts of other things I am now really worried about going onto it as I have leg ulcers which they say if you have anything like this you shouldn't go on to it. As I have RH and now osteoporosis which I need to get treatment for I'm Now not sure about taking this medication and wondered if Anybody else was on it and if they had any side effects.

I have had leg ulcers and RH for the last five years and have tried all sorts of medication including chemotherapy and nothing worked and at the moment I feel ok so don't really want to rock the boat.

F

[Mhairi54]

They have to tell you about all the possible side effects so you can make an informed decision on whether or not you want to take it. Note the word "possible" not "definite" side effects that you may experience. The same thing happened to me when I went for my information session before I started Benepali, a biosimilar. I have never had a single side effect from taking it. Not only do I have 2 children, but I also work with children and am constantly in and out of different schools, so exposed to lots of different bugs, but never had an infection because of it. It is a real thought to start a drug like that, but have to say that Benepali has made a huge difference to me, and hopefully Humira will do likewise for you. Speak to your rheumy nurse/doctor if you're still unsure. I'm sure most people have similar reservations before they start.

[Gnarli]

Of course you are anxious about humira. I reckon most of us here would especially as they have to tell us about potential side effects. If you are so worried have a chat with your rheumy team, the helpline or your GP. They would not have prescribed a heavy-duty and expensive drug like humira if they didn't think it would help you and certainly not if it could harm you. Wishing you all the best. Hugs

Jan

[Jacey15]

Just for a bit of reassurance- I started Humira a few weeks ago and have had no side effects whatsoever. Just spent last week with my sister who had a streaming cold and I didn't catch it either.

Hopefully it will be the same for you,

Jacey xXx

[Lucy11]

I'm with all the others--most people don't have any issues with Biologics.

I'm not sure if you have been prescribed prednisone but my two cents is that it's far worse to be on steroids long term than any Biologic.

Using prednisone as a bridge is ok or short term for a flare but I'm seeing loads of people taking them for years on end and that can cause thinning of bones, skin and tendons and of course can also lead to Osteoporosis.

If you took prednisone for a long time and weren't afraid of those side effects then by all rights you shouldn't have any fear of Humira.

I wish you the best!

[Outhwaite1 in reply to Lucy11]

Thanks for your advice i agree with you but i didnt know about any side effects from taking prednisone over a long period and now your quite right i have got osteoporosis x

[Cathy777 in reply to Lucy11]

I so agree with you about prednisone. I was put on it years ago and felt so great I wanted to stay on them. I didn't have a clue about the downside of it until my gp said she didn't think I should keep taking it. I researched it and was horrified. The rheumy docs never warned me. I now avoid it and only take in extreme situations. I have not had bad side effects from MTX or my bio drug. I am lucky but it really is rare to get really bad side effects. You have to risk it as if it works its a life changer.

[Dixiedeane147]

I've been on humira since 2012 and have had no ill effects from it

It's really helped me

Take care