I would like to hear anyones personal experiences on taking Humaria?

I was on Enbrel for two years, but had to switch due to what was for me intolerable side effects (extreme muscle pain). I started Humira about a year and half ago and absolutely love it. Initially, it took about six weeks before it really kicked in and I had to do some trial and error with the dosage before I found one that works for me. It has nicely suppressed my RA and more than any other medication I've ever been on in my 40 years of having RA, Humira has made me feel healthy. Not just better or in less pain, but actually healthy. It has also enabled me to get stronger than I've been in years and to get on with my life in a way I didn't think would be possible again.

As all other medications, it does have side effects. The main side effects I'm experiencing are sinus issues, a bit of nausea the day after my shot (but nothing I can't handle), constipation and gas. As well, after about a year on the drug, I started getting some muscle pain for a couple of days after my shot and these days, the muscle pain is around most of the time, sometimes quite a bit, other times not so much. However, it's very manageable with Tylenol and an overnight muscle relaxant. And the benefits of the drug have been so significant is that I can roll with the side effects - it's a small price to pay for the positive effect it's had on my life. Oh, one more thing: if you choose this drug, be prepared for the sting when you have the injection. It's a bit surprising, but disappears very quickly.

If you want more details, feel free to post another question. And if you do choose to take this drug, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.

I was diagnosed with RA late summer '07 and was started on methotrexate (MTX) and added Celebrex, then added Lyrica and by January was started on Humira 1 injection every 14 days (I chose to give myself injections at home).  I began noticing a difference within 2 or 3 weeks and by the time 2 months rolled around I felt like my old healthy self!  I was amazed!  I went from not being able to do hardly anything, and constantly achy and tired to wanting to tackle the world!  As of today, my rheumy lowered my dose of MTX from 15 mg to 12.5 mg once a week (due to high liver functions in blood test) and increased my Humira to 1 injection every 10 days because I was starting to get really achy again.  I absolutely believe in Humira and really have not had any side effects that I can notice.  The MTX causes sores in my mouth maybe once a month or so but not too bad.  I do have a ravinous appetite but don't know which meds are causing that!  I've gained about 20 lbs in about 6 months but I'm getting ready to try my walking program again.  My pains were so bad I had to stop but I'm going to give it another try.  I also have herniated discs that are painful to do long standing or walking in a store, but I'm going to give the exercise program of walking a mile or two each day another try soon.  I wish you the best ....let us know what you decide to do and how it works.  Our experiences help others with RA...we're all in this together! 

God bless you!

AudreyBee

Hi Sharte, I have been on so many meds for my R A even Embrel. But they put me on Humira 40mg every other week February 1,2007,yes it stings a little going in ,it helps to have it at room temperature for about 15 minutes prior to your injection, I have gained about 30lbs .But they increased my Humira to every week 40mg plus Predisone only 5mg per day as well so could be that this has made me gain some weight as well. I do feel stronger & more like what I used to be before I was diagnosed in 1989 with RA. I also take Ketoprofen 200mg ,1 per day,Pantoprozole 40mg ,1 per day to protect my stomach a bit from getting ulcers. To me it has been give me quality of life that I have not had in a long while since I started the weekly injections. The main reason is my left knee is not the best & I get what they call bakers knots behind the knee talk about pain.They can do a cortison injection in them to reduce the swelling, but I try to rest my leg & use my heating pad on low & in about an hour its not to bad.I have to try pace myself which I'm not to good at doing lol  If there is anything else I can tell you just let me know. Remember each medication may work for one person & do nothing for some one else.I have found no side effects other than costipation which is kind of the norm for me lol Headache here & there .Thats abot it How long ago were you diagnosed with RA? Email if you care to Good Luck Gwen

Actually, I have anklylosing spondilytis, which is treated similarly to RA.  I wish my experiences were as positive as those listed below.  I used Enbrel for 4 months.  It worked for months 2 and 3.  Then I was on Remicade for 2 years, never getting past infusions every  5 weeks. It suddenly stopped working for me, to I went to Humira.  I feel much better and have no side effects. Actually, I have had no side effects from anything I'e been on except Arava. It gave me more energy, but my blood count was lowered, so I had to quit usig it. 

Hi. I took Humira for about a year, took it last March to this May when they had to switch me to Enbrel only because I was having some hand stiffness and aches. I tolerated Humira very well, I had no side effects and it worked great for me. The shot stings going in but you get used to that. I had no injection site reactions and no side effects. It worked GREAT for me but like i said I went off and switched only to try and put me in full remission. Some drugs just work better than others for people?! Good luck with it and I hope you are feeling well

I have been on Humaria for two years and so far no problems. I had shoulder, hand, back and ankle pain when dignosed with RA two years ago. The shoulder pain, which was the worst went away with in the first few months the rest is not as bad. I find that the injection is not as bad if I let the medicine stand at room temp for 15-30 minutes and I use an ice pack to numb the injection site, but it still stings, just not as bad. My problem now is that I have an ulcer because of the pain medicines and I can't use Alieve that worked so well for me. I am thankful that I can live a somewhat normal life and deal with the pain I have.

I took Humira for about 3 months in Dec 2004 - Mar 2005.  My last injection was the week of March 7th 2005.  I felt better than I had for years while I was taking Humira.  All of a sudden after the shot in March  I had difficulty walking.  I could put NO weight on my left leg.  After cancelling 2 appointments in 3 days to see my rheumatologist, I went to see her on Monday March 15.  She thought she would be giving me a shot of cortizone for the pain (note.  I had total knee replacements in both knees in 2000).  When she drew some fluid from the left leg, it was not nice and clear, it was all pus.  I was told to wait in the exam room for a few minutes.  She came back and told me I was to leave directly from her office and go directly to the hospital emergency room.  She had called the hospital and admitted me over the phone.  I had surgery that night (mon) surgery sat morn  surgery tuesday (total knee revision).  My leg was full of a staph and strep infection.  5 surgeries after this hospital stint I was cured.  This included a bout with MRSA which I got on my 3rd hospitalization in Jan 2006.  Mar 2006 I had the entire knee prothesis removed and replaced with surgical cement, same procedure repeted 1 week later.  Spent 3 months on total bed rest, June 2006 I returned to hospital (visit # 5) for a total knee revision.  SO MUCH FOR HUMIRA