Humira is my miracle drug. I started on Enbrel five years ago and in early 2007 switched to Humira.  It was a really scary proposition to choose to go on the Biologics, but I was in the middle of a horrendous flare that reduced me to merely getting through each day, unable to do anything.  What helped me was to look at it in terms of what my life is worth. What am I willing to do to be able to work, be there for my family, to laugh every day, to have energy, to have manageable pain and to protect me from the kind of damage to the joints that will severely limit my ability in the future? When I looked at it like that, it was a no-brainer. The "bigger drugs" do come with bigger risks, but I had a really big problem and it needed a really big solution.  A while back, I wrote a post called Better Living Through Chemistry that may give you some food for thought. As well, a recent study has shown that the TNF blockers like Enbrel and Humira actually do not give you an increased risk of cancer, which is a huge relief.  When I first started TNF blockers, I had accepted that risk because my life really  wasn't a life, but still. Good to hear.

Humira does come with a number of potential side effect, some of them severe, but most people tolerate the Biologics well. You will likely experience sinus problems, some fatigue after your shot and possibly queasiness and gas for a day or two. Check out my post on managing side effects for tips and tricks in reducing your experience.