Helen, thanks so much for your reply. Enbrel was a life changing med for me but the last year or so it hasn't been working as effectively as it did in the past. I noticed my energy was down, inflammation was up (CRP up too) and it took me a while to get going in the morning. I also hate the weekly shots, mixing them, etc. I thought I would try Humira and see if it gave me a boost. My doc was/is supportive of the change. Since it's also a biologic TNF-blocker I figured the change wouldn't be too drastic and I like the biweekly shot (chose the pen injector). The first two shots went well, I noticed my inflammation went down and I did have a boost in energy. Overall my body felt more 'quiet' if that makes any sense. My ankles have never been so slim! But then in my 5th week the flare hit me like a ton of bricks. I ended up going to the ER and was put on on prednisone for a few days with a tapering off dosage for another week (with my doc's input). I'm due for my 3rd humira shot this weekend and hope it kicks in. Ideally I'd like to do the humira for 3 months to get a good sense if it works for me. If not I'll go back to the enbrel but will likely need something to help it along. I haven't had a flare like this since before I started enbrel, I forgot just how painful they can be!

So I guess what I'm wondering is if folks have such an adverse reaction, giant flare, when switching from one biologic to another. I wonder if this is just a typical adjustment period or if it means humira may not be for me.

Oops, I mean Ellen! Sorry!

From what I have read the typical statistics on results of switching is that: if the first one works, the second one will work less well.  If the first one didn't work, the second one has a better chance of working well.  (Yeah, we do forget how bad we can feel, don't we!)   That would go along with what is happening to you, wouldn't it?  I guess it will be up to you, in consultation with your doctor, as to how long a trial you want to give it.

     On the other hand - if the mixing  is the main thing that bothered you about Enbrel, why not get the prefilled syringes?   Then all you have to do is let it warm up for a few minutes.  They are now available in both 25 mg and 50 mg sizes, so you can either do smaller shots twice a week (avoid the larger sting, if it bothers you) or the larger one once a week (if less often is better for you and the larger shots don't bother you). Some people ice the injection site beforehand.

     I've always stayed with the 25 mg vial mix kind, I kind of like it that way, especially since I sometimes stretch out the time period a bit; if I don't need it every 3-4 days, I will do every 5-6 and cut down the risk of sinus problems.

Hi, I was on enbrel for 5 years, which company and the coverage was poor, humeria offered assisatnce with payment so I switched, for one year and did not only did not have any reaction but it barely helped me. I'm back on enbrel, they offered me assistance to return, I love it, it helps having two shots a week at 25 rather than the one 50, i would crash by the seventh day, taking a 25 very 31/2 days made a big difference, it waears off as the week goes by on 50 , 25 twice keeps it alive. Humeria pen is a killer and twice a month, I suffered for a year and it didn't help the psorisis.... like enbrel I'm 58 with JRA since early teens, this is  the best thing that has help, though I also have fibro.....tried Lyrica, toxic reaction  and a couple of other drugs with no relief any can help with fribro?

Diane