Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Humira! Pros and Cons?

Hey Everyone!!!

So..my Rheumy is starting procedures to get me on Humira! I've had a chest X-ray and bloods. Just need to see some nurses and answer some questions etc.
I know a lot of you guys are on Humira. What do you think about it? Any pros/cons? I don't really know much about it!

Love to you all xxx

Pros: You can't imagine how well you can feel when something really works.
For me it works even better than steroids.

The inflammation in my feet: gone.

The fatigue: gone.

The psoriasis (I only had a little): gone. The dry scaly skin on my elbows, I had no idea one could have smooth elbows; I just thought dry flakey elbows was normal.

The gastritis: gone. First time in 20 years.

The IBS: gone for the first part of the two weeks, back for the end part, though even that is getting better. First shot, good for a week, second shot good for a week and a half. I think it may be the first time in my life that I am having normal bowel movements?

The SI joint: a lot better. not all better, but a lot better, and its only been a month. I still use my flector patches, but may try to ween off.

The neck: getting better.

My enthesitis: getting better.

My knees: that's OA and not going to get better as far as I can tell.


The cons:

Supposedly my immune system is being compromised. Though I haven't felt that yet. I do take my 1000 mg of vitamin C (Ester C (500 mg twice a day) daily per rheumy's orders. And I think my LDN may be helping here as well; he let me stay on that. Also trying to be better about good sleep. Doing all I can to stay healthy probably helps.

Supposedly it could stop working. I did read that those who were early good responders (like me) tended to stay good responders for a long time....fingers crossed.

Supposedly, I could develop an allergic response to it. So far, so good. Not even a localized reaction at the injection site.

Supposedly a low risk of things like MS and cancer, but I don't worry myself with low risks unless they pertain directly to me. I tend to worry about the common side effects.

The shot (not the needle) but the med under the skin hurts like #%$&! But its worth the hurt that it takes away.

Good luck!

Humira did not work for me but I love hearing all of the stories of people that it has helped so much. I think I am in the minority. It seems all of the drugs work for some and not for others. I was not afraid to try it. You are smart to educate yourself before you make the decision which no one else can make.

My bp dropped very low and I couldn't take another injection. I don't think that is common at all.

Best wishes.

Thanks guys! You have really helped! I'm definitely going to give it a go and see what happens. Just worried about my immune system with me working full time with snotty 3-4 year olds!!! Xxx

I work with "snotty" 18-22 year olds and so the true test for me (and my immune system) will be the return of the school year when they all get back.

I will get a flu shot. And several here have recommended getting a pneumonia shot; turns out I got that one last year and it should be good for a while.

Then its just a matter of sleep, exercise, good nutrition, supplements, all the things we can do to keep ourselves healthy. Just the better sleep should go a long way.

I have had severe allergic reactions with hives,strep that wouldn't go away so had to get a tonsillectomy in my 30's, UTI's, flu and sinus infections on biologics. However, biologics with Methotrexate cut my pain in half so it is a trade off . My sister is on Remicade and she has not been sick in years. I would definitely give Humira a try. We gotta fight to the end!

Shari

Hey Hayley,

Didn't work for me unfortunately but I had no evident side effects. I think the only thing that's really worked quite well for me is diet. It is my number one option, although it has been inconsistent.

While on enbrel, I was scared that I had developed MS. After coming off the drug, the symptoms seem to have subsided so not sure whether to try it again or not.

Good luck, you'll probably have very good results with few side effects!

Love love love my humira. I used to take enbrel, switched because I felt like it was wearing off. The humira is less painful with injection, and it's SO nice to do every 2 weeks. Both are very sensitive to temperature changes, and I had a problem when I travelled with the enbrel that I got a whopping dactylitis of my finger (still struggling to rehab it a year and a half later) 2-3 days after taking the shot I carefully brought in a cooler bag with me on my vacation. This month we're on holidays for a week, but I made sure it's my no-injection week so I don't have to worry.

I work in a primary care medical clinic AND I have 2 kids under 6 in daycare that get sick all the time. I was VERY worried about the immune system issue (especially since I'm also on methotrexate for my hands) but in 2 1/2 years on biologics, I have had really no problems, just the odd cold or gastro, same as before. I think the immunity problem is with certain types of infections, like toxo, tb, and a few others, but not so much affecting usual viral infections. Don't let the kids/germs thing stop you. I touch very sick people every day (including in the ER/hospital beds) and it has not been an issue. I just use a lot of hand sanitizer

Good luck!

It's given the best response of the 4 different biologics I've taken.

It's been the most painful injection (syringe) of the 3 injectables.

It's been the fastest-responding of the 4 different biologics taken.

It's been the only one to affect my WBC (making it lower). So far, I'm not stopping, but think the rheumy may not put up with it after my visit in early Sept.

Good luck with Humira. As for what one is best?? The one that works! Each rheumy has his favorite reason for which one to start with. Mine liked the dosing flexibility of Remicade, so that was my first trial. I gave you two pros and two cons....hope you appreciate that I stayed on the fence.

Thank you everyone. I really appreciate the advice you have given me I will keep you all posted on what happens as and when I know!!

Love and healing hugs xxx