Stopped Methotrexate being screened for Adalimumab

[Amandaazz]

So after being on Methotrexate (injections) for 2 years since diagnosis and feeling dreadful on it (swollen fingers, nausea, constant headaches, depression) I last injected on 18th December 2023. Needless to say my RA is raging in every joint now! Just had a steroid injection and being screened for Adalimumab. Would appreciate anyone's experience on this biologic, how long it took to become effective and the true side effects you may have experienced. Thanks in advance.

[KittyJ]

if you put that into the search box and filter for NRAS then all the past posts about it will come up 😊

[Zip1]

I was on adalimumab after Mxt and it worked very quickly and I had 8 months without flaring and everything under reasonable control. Unfortunately for me it stopped working and I’m now on benipali. I had no side effects and was happy with adalimumab whilst it worked, I hope it works for you and lasts a long time!

[Amandaazz in reply to Zip1]

Thanks, this is really uplifting 😊 Hope you are doing ok now 🤞

[oldtimer2]

For me it was almost immediate. Within the first week after adalimumab my joints reduced in size and were less painful. It kept me free of flares until I had to stop for other reasons.

I've recently restarted and have noticed that it is wearing off much earlier than before but that's probly because I'm having so many problems with pain, stiffness and reduction in range of movement.

[Ferret18]

Hi, I’ve just started taking it myself. First injection 3 days ago! This was after previously being on a combo of Hydroxychloroquine, Sulfazalasine and Leflunomide, which worked well for a couple of years. Prior to that I was on Methotrexate via injection but that made me very nauseous.

So, we’ll see how it goes. So far no side effects.

Good luck

[Pigsearwawa]

I have been on adalimumab for about three years and Humira previous to that. Adalimumab starting working for me within a month and I've never looked back, it has reduced swelling pain and fatigue without any discernable side effects. I take it in conjunction with a low dose of Leflumonide.Good luck with your quest for relief.

[kormacurry]

Hi, I was on methotrexate and my hair fell out, so then they put me on leflunomide which didn't work. So I am now on Adalimumab fortnightly injections (Imraldi). The injections started working in the first couple of weeks, and I've been on it for a year with no obvious side effects - good luck

[Mostmoses]

I also couldn’t tolerate MTX and am very grateful for the biologic I’m on (Cimzia, not Adalimumab). Good luck with the change! Bios seem to be a little gentler so far as side effects go in general.

[TheBoys]

HiAdalimubab sorted my RA out within weeks..wish I'd had it sooner

I have noticed though that am bruising easier now plus have discolouration patched on my left forearm which have been told not to worry about. But no flares since taking it.

[PMRGCA19]

Sorry I can't help as I have no side effects from Metoject pens nor have I had any experience with any biologic. Do hope you can access information from elsewhere.

[Bogshuffler]

My Adiluminab staory may be of interest. I was diagnosed with RA/ Rieter's in 2011. I was put on methotrexate 17.5mg 1/7 which made me really nauseous for three days after each weekly oral dose. Eventually liver damage was indicated. So back to sulfasalazine, which, along with 6 monthly steroid injections, kept me pretty well managed for about 10 years. However, in early 2021 my skin started to become very sensitive to sunlight and I was told to come off sulfasalazine and that I would be started on Adaluminab. It took until February 2022 until I had my first dose. In the meantime I suffered horribly with scaitic pain, being woken up by it 1 night in 2, crying with agony, and not getting any sleep those nights. I had to use a stick to walk anymore than around the house.

Then I took my first Adiluminab dose, the results were amazing. Within 2 weeks I was back to what I consider a "normal" person must feel like. On a Sunday, a couple of weeks later, after my second dose, I walked 17km with the dogs, only needing the stick for where the ground was particularly uneven and tricky. Then I got an infected ingrowing toenail that would heal because of the Adiluminab and was told to discontinue Adiluminab until the toenail was removed and had healed. 3 month wait for the minor op and 3 months for it to heal. Back to square one with pain, not helped by the enforced inactivity. Then, in August last I was told that I was Type 2 Diabetic, surely this came to the fore because of the inactivity and the comfort eating of Dairymilk :-), however at the same time I was able to go back on Adaluminab.

The improvement of my mobility and lowering of pain were not as rapid as the first time around, but it was still amazing even after only a couple of doses. I have noticed symptoms starting to creep back 2 to 3 days before my dose is due. I cut out the chocolate and otherwise improved my diet and started swimming in the sea 4 to 6 days a week. 3 months later the diabetes is under control, without medication. In later December I had a steroid injection in to the left big, big toe joint, the only joint that still gave regular discomfort due to the osteo arthritis damage leading on from the Reactive Arthrius. During January I was able to run 5km a couple of times a week, however since then we have had C-19 in the house and although I didn't develop full blown C-19 symptoms (thanks to the 6x vaccinations, no doubt) I have lost my puff, although I am gradually getting it back with the swimming.

Conclusion: Adiluminab has dramatically helped me, although the adverse affect it has had on coping with infections have been a bit of a pain. I am really hoping that it continues to remain effective as the change it has had on my life have given me hope and a much better life.

[Amandaazz]

Amazing thanks so much for this. I'm really hoping it is going to make a good improvement. Awaiting my first delivery next week the the nurse to come round to inject for the first time! Been managing on 2 x steriod injections within the last 5 weeks and naproxen. It's not been easy, but I'm getting by 👍