Adalimumab for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews (Page 4)

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 9, 2022

"I stayed away from this medication for two years for fear of cancer. However, after only one day on Humira, my symptoms improved dramatically - to the point that I feel as good as I felt before contracting RA at 55. Now I swim, lift weights, travel, and enjoy all the activities that make life enjoyable. I was foolish to wait 2 years before starting a biologic. The older drugs (methotrexate and others) did not work for me. Humira gave me my life back. I also take about 10 milligrams a week of methotrexate to prevent antibodies from making Humira ineffective. No side effects other than a pain-free life."

• Hum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 21, 2016

"I had exactly the same thing happen to me as Jayall and Jall did. No breathing problems or skin problems prior, but on my seventh injection, I got deathly ill with pneumonia, 2 weeks in the hospital with different antibiotics and antifungal. Had lung fluid drained, now have scar tissue and COPD and psoriasis. Was and still on methotrexate and plaquenil and Orencia IV now. Joint pain not better after six months IV, just upped IV dosage, hoping for some relief. Humira made things extremely worse for me but may work for others."

• Gul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 26, 2018

"I was using Humira in conjunction with Methotrexate. Both meds were working marvelously, but out of the blue, I became sick after each dose of both medications. RA doctor took me off the Methotrexate, and it was a while before restarting Humira. I’ve had 3 injections with no signs of relief, which was significantly different from before. Very discouraged and scared."

• UTE...
• February 17, 2016

"2006, tested positive for R.A. with low symptoms. Started with methotrexate for 8 years along with 1 tablet of folic acid - no problems. Sept 2014, R.A. advances to severe symptoms, and a specialist removes medication due to affecting the liver. Primary doctor suggests using Enbrel. Used it for 6 months - no improvement. Switch to Humira and it worked for one month. Severe symptoms are in feet, hands, and neck. Inflammation is the main reason that these areas are affected more often. Hopefully, there is something else in pill form. Shots are painful and do nothing for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 4, 2015

"I have been on Humira since January, and my pain is worse, especially in my upper extremities. I was told at the time I started Humira that my thyroid levels were too low (Hashimoto disease). The doctor upped thyroid meds at that time. I am wondering if perhaps that is playing a role in my RA not improving. It is hard to be patient when in pain."

• Sam...
• January 22, 2016

"RA for 10 years, injecting 25 mg of MTX for a couple of years after having too many side effects on oral MTX. Then getting flares and not well controlled on MTX, so started on Humira, injected fortnightly and remaining on MTX. No major side effects. But no benefit. Nothing. Nada. No relief from symptoms at all. Rheumatologist took me off it and now probably going to start on Enbrel. Apparently, I sit in the 1/3 of people for whom there is no benefit. Hoping Enbrel will work because I'm over it. It's no life."

• UC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2018

"2015 diagnosis of UC & RA. Methotrexate was silently killing my liver. Canasa is a waste of time except at night during a flare. Sulfasalazine & Humira combo is working. No rashes. Skipped 2 doses when I had a cold. Humira has a half-life of 82 days and took 90 days to begin working. I swim 2/3 days a week with Masters, my BP is good. Exercise is difficult but works well with the meds. Took trazodone for the first year for anxiety. Overall, Humira seems good, but there are other choices."

• Hum...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 25, 2016

"Denny 56, very happy to hear it is helping you and you're doing better. From my experience, please watch your breathing and night sweats very closely. Get checked out ASAP if these happen to you. This is how all my problems started. Just trying to help with a heads up on this, and I hope it works out for you. Another 50-something male with RA."

• JAl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 29, 2015

"I had exactly the same experience with Humira as JayAll did on April 8th, 2015. Two weeks in the hospital with pneumonia that spread fast, drained lung fluid, scarred lung, and now COPD. I had no lung problems in the past. Still on methotrexate and now on Otezla, flares and pain still here, but doc wants me to try it for four months."

• Fam...
• August 1, 2016

"I've been taking Humira for over 8 years for severe rheumatoid arthritis. One 40 mg pen shot every 2 weeks. It's worked wonders on my arthritis. I love it because no methotrexate or Plaquenil. Some side effects like cold sores like three times a year. After all these years, its effects started to slow down, so my doctor switched me to another new drug, Xeli, and OMG, I suffered horrible side effects. I went back to my doctor, who got me back on Humira. Again, my life is back to almost normal, and when pain kind of appears, I take prednisone 5 mg for around a week that stops it. I won't leave Humira unless it doesn't work at all. The other drug that I took by mouth every day for three months almost destroyed my stomach. This is injected every two weeks."

• Gia...
• July 19, 2010

"I am on Humira for ten weeks now and notice a huge improvement in my energy levels. I just discovered today my blood pressure is high, I don't know if it's connected, but I never had a problem in the past. I think it's great I can now go for a decent walk without being in agony, but I am still worried about long-term effects. The injection is nothing - I always leave it out for half an hour beforehand. I am one of the lucky ones, as in Ireland the state covers most of the cost for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers, and I was only diagnosed about a year ago."

• luc...
• October 25, 2008

"I have suffered with chronic juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since the age of 2. I'm now 44. In the past 15 years, I have been in severe pain. I have tried every drug under the sun, but since taking Humira, I have not had to take my other DMARDs; I feel great."

• SCa...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 21, 2017

"I'm a 48-year-old female, and I've had arthritis and fibromyalgia since 2008. I have tried many medications, of which I am allergic to most. I have also been diagnosed with RA recently. My mother has it, so I probably got it passed to me. I've been on steroids and muscle relaxers, they help me with no side effects. My rheumatologist just put me on Humira. I've given myself 4 injections, praying for some relief. But I am actually feeling worse. The doctor says it's just my body getting worse, but I'm thinking my body doesn't like the medication. I'm going to give it 3 more months, if I don't get to feeling better, I was really counting on this medication to help me."

• Anonymous
• May 29, 2009

"My wife has had rheumatoid arthritis for the past 30 years. This is the only drug that treats the root cause and not the symptoms. In only a short time, she has seen a remarkable improvement. In Canada, you need to go through a lengthy approval process to have this drug covered under insurance. It is expensive, but it works. Hopefully, the cost will come down as it is proven out and more people start to use it."

• Gog...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 1, 2019

"It seems like it is helping! When I tried to cut down to an injection once every three weeks, my symptoms seemed to increase. Consequently, I went back to injecting once every two weeks. I am also on leflunomide, low dose naltrexone, and eat healthy."

• Tho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2022

"I tried Humira, and my knees got worse. The swelling would come and go, especially when I ate high fat, but when I took Humira, they stayed inflamed and would not bend. Sure enough, after it was out of my system, my knees started to straighten out, thank goodness. A low-fat and really nutritious diet with exercise like walking or a stationary bike made a huge improvement. You have to keep the joints moving even if it hurts. If you can only move a little, then move a little, THEN ADD to it and keep moving and make a plan. You can heal: low-fat, no oil, whole food, and EXERCISE! God bless you!"

• For...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 3, 2015

"In my case, it has slowed down the RA, but it has not been a cure-all. Burns like Hades for about 3-5 minutes after the injection. Started on Orencia, then Cimzia, now Humira. Also on Arava, as I do not tolerate MT well."

• Mel...
• April 19, 2016

"I've been on Humira for around six months. Here lately, I've noticed a rash that itches super bad. It started on my face, where the left side of my face was swollen and hard with itching bad. Please, if anyone has had this happen, please let me know."

• Geo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 28, 2019

"Went on Humira in 2004 for 8 years, no side effects. RA went into remission for 4-5 years. Went back on it in July 2019 along with methotrexate. Worked for roughly 10 days at biweekly dose. Recently started weekly, hope to wean off the methotrexate. I apply ice to the injection site for 10 mins after. Headache after, gone the next morning."

• C-C...
• June 23, 2009

"I have taken Humira for the past 3 years for rheumatoid arthritis, and recently we discovered it is also useful for Crohn's disease (which I also have). It does work, but unfortunately, I get recurrent sinus infections and have to stop taking the drug while on antibiotics. I have also had an accident at work and have had some surgeries. I've had to interrupt taking the drug due to the surgeries as well (bone fusions). It takes a couple of months to get in your system, but as soon as it does (if you can stay healthy and infection-free), it is wonderful. My only concern is the cost and the long-term side effects."

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2017

"Humira is the third medicine from this group that I have taken, the other two being Enbrel and Cimzia. It is fair to say that for me, it has also been the best, but unfortunately, I am going to have to stop taking it for the following. Initially, I had a minor but long-lasting mild headache on the day of taking, this was followed by a urinary infection possibly caused by the Humira, but the reason I must stop is that I now have tinnitus. This was mild hissing at first, so I tolerated it, but now, and after each injection, it gets measurably worse. So, me and Humira must regrettably part company, a great shame because it did/does make a very large improvement to my R. A."

• Kim...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 30, 2023

"Started Idacio, aka Humira, a couple of years ago. It is 2023, so that means I must have started it in 2021, ish. It took away the pain for my RA and spondylosis, but now I have a completely swollen body and shortness of breath! My RA doc seems to think these symptoms have nothing to do with my RA or my spondylosis arthritis. He is sending me for an echocardiogram because he thinks maybe I am having heart issues, but I have been to multiple tests already showing nothing. I also was in a Vancouver hospital in December for other issues, and the doctor there found afib, but then revoked that finding and said it was a mistake. I am very vocal when it comes to my health and the health of my family. I am also on sulfasalazine because I also had bad side effects from the methotrexate."

• dra...
• October 1, 2010

"I could not tell that Humira did a lot to improve my RA. It may have slowed the condition/symptoms down some, but in no way did it stop my condition. I realize Humira is not a cure, it just didn't do a lot for me. I had no obvious side effects, though."

• Phx...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 9, 2022

"I have had 3 injections so far and am going to quit. The last one was yesterday. My reason for quitting is that I sense I am getting depressed, even though I take antidepressants and have for years. This seems to interact with the meds I already take, and I don't like the way I feel. It certainly helps the RA; my hands are so much better. But I would rather have my mental and emotional health back."

• SF5...
• June 3, 2017

"I took methotrexate for a while without much benefit. Once I started the Humira in combination with methotrexate, I noticed a huge change. I didn't have any pain or stiffness. It has been great! I haven't had any side effects. Just make sure you double-check your prescription, once I accidentally got the syringes instead of the pens. Oops! The syringes are much more difficult."