Humira for Ankylosing Spondylitis User Reviews (Page 2)

• plo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 16, 2015

"After 36 years of pain, stiffness, and inability to exercise comfortably, I was put on Humira injections. This was because the long-term use of Diclofenac high dosage caused problems with my liver. I have had a year on Humira and felt so much better, the pain and stiffness were significantly reduced. I came off Humira for six months due to health problems (which were not connected to Humira). After 3-4 months of not taking it, all symptoms returned with a vengeance. The worst being between the ribs and lungs. I am now starting back on it, so hopefully, will feel well again soon. I am worried, however, about long-term effects."

• ree...
• May 29, 2009

"I have been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for several years. My condition got so bad I couldn't walk, undress myself, get in or out of bed unaided, and didn't sleep through the night without pain. Tried several drugs that had no effect, and the joints in my back, ribs, and pelvis continued to fuse. Then I started Humira 4 months ago, and I haven't had a single bit of pain anywhere since. The only problem I have with it is the injection site is very swollen, hot, and itchy, and the drug itself can give you quite a sting, but I can now lead a normal active life. So for me, the side effects are well worth it, but I am concerned about the long-term effects of this drug."

• Tra...
• November 27, 2013

"I'm a 43-year-old female and have had ankylosing spondylitis since I was 15 years old. Started Humira a year ago and only lasted 6 months taking it, as it made me sick, feverish, weak, sweating, confused, and generally feeling unwell. But my pain was significantly reduced, and I had fatigue. Had to stop taking it, couldn't stand feeling sick."

• sip...
• September 22, 2012

"I started Humira at the end of July this year, and within a few days, my pain in my lower back and neck disappeared. Recently, my wife picked up my prescription and left the Humira in her car for 8 hours, not being refrigerated in 90-degree weather. I used the Humira, and my symptoms returned. I contacted the 1-800-4Humira number and spoke with a nurse who informed me that the Humira (when left outside) was unstable and should not have been used. Lesson learned... make sure to immediately refrigerate your Humira. I am now waiting to get my next injection and am praying it works for me again."

• Deb...
• March 24, 2008

"Being female with ankylosing spondylitis was rare enough, but the pain in my lower back was bad. Humira was started in Nov 07, and the pain felt in walking was taken care of. It has halted the progression of the ankylosing spondylitis in my lower back."

• Anonymous
• March 30, 2009

"I'm a 22-year-old female with ankylosing spondylitis. I was desperate to find something to relieve my pain, especially in my sacroiliac joint. I was no longer able to participate in regular sporting games, exercise, or even carry out daily activities on some days. After starting Humira, I was able to return to all of these activities free of pain. My only concern is the long-term side effects."

• Nik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2017

"Began Humira with high hopes 3 months ago after stopping sulfasalazine. After the 1st injection, it took only 5 days and got symptoms of flu. Flu developed into chronic sinusitis and come-and-go laryngitis. Next episode was super high blood pressure and frequent urination 24/7. The third one was more serious, white blood cell count began to rise. This is not normal (may lead to blood cancers or lymphomas), and Humira was stopped. Be careful, you are not going to die with AS, but serious side effects like cancer are a true alarm that the drug might not be suitable for everyone."

• Tha...
• December 13, 2020

"I’ve been on Humira for about 2 full years. The first 3-4 injections (taken biweekly, so 6-8 weeks), I wanted to stop taking it because the side effects were terrible. I’d have hot flashes, I’d be sweating but freezing, my hairs would stand up after taking the injection, I’d throw up, wake up super sweaty. But after that 2-month period, WOW IS THE DIFFERENCE AMAZING. I have AS, I also have 2 replaced hips, and a left knee that also needs replacing. I’ve been dealing with this for about 8 years, and ever since Humira has come into my life, it’s been so much better. It’s not where I wanna be, but it’s better than where I was at/headed."

• Sar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 19, 2018

"Took this medication when Flexiril and anti-inflammatory drugs quit helping my AS pain. Was on it a few months and ended up with a lowered immune system and several illnesses because of the Humira. My doctor took me off of it and then quit working where I live. New doctor hasn't wanted to risk medication similar to this yet. Good points are it helped my pain disappear almost completely. Bad point, it also made me extremely tired at first."

• ZZ ...
• August 20, 2013

"Before I was taking Pyrilin 6 Kmg/day and Feldine 20 mg, and I had constant pain. Some days were better than others, but I always had something. Since being on Humira, I am running again. I ran 8 miles the other day in a bit over an hour, and I felt great after. Tired but no joint pain. The next day I felt great as well. I have lost 6 pounds, and I am active again. I have not been sick yet, but this is a worry still. I wish I had this 10 years ago!"

• RUn...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 25, 2017

"36-year-old female, diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at 34. Started Humira every 14 days in February 2016. Noticed a huge difference the morning after taking it. Got my life back! It started to last fewer and fewer days, so added methotrexate in April 2016, and it helped stretch out the time it helped back to 2 weeks again. Had major side effects from the methotrexate, so went off of it in March 2017. The Humira started to decrease again in the time it would last. Took it by itself until April 2017 when I got sick with bronchopneumonia. Stopped it until the infection was gone, and when I went back on 6 weeks later, it wouldn't help anymore. I am now switching to Simponi."

• Anonymous
• November 17, 2011

"Don't know why, but the Humira Pen injection is almost always super painful. MUST be poor design. I did self-injections with a string of Enbrel for 10 years, and it never hurt. And after a recent hip replacement, I had Arixtra (blood thinner) injections that were completely painless. Why does the Humira pen hurt so bad? And I know it is not me because I have read hundreds of other people complain about the same thing."

• joh...
• October 1, 2009

"I was initially approved for and was given 2 treatments of Humira for A.S. Within 1 month, I noticed a dramatic improvement in my symptoms: reduced pain and an increase in physical function. Then my insurance company, Blue Shield of CA, decided not to approve this treatment, indicating that I needed to try a cheaper medication, methotrexate along with an NSAID. I have been on numerous NSAIDs, the only one which was successful in pain control was Celebrex, which they also denied approval. I have not gotten the same effect from the methotrexate and naproxen, in fact, I have never felt this bad even before the Humira. I am appealing the denial of this wonder drug so that I may resume its use."

• Sop...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 9, 2023

"I’ve been on Humira for 2 years for severe inflammation/AS. I tried once stopping it, thinking I didn’t need it for three weeks, and the second time there was an insurance lapse, and I went without it for 5 weeks. My time off of Humira is miserable: painful, inflammatory, taking steroids, etc. I sleep after 5 pm and do nothing else and have a low quality of life. As soon as I inject the Humira, I feel a huge relief. This drug has given me my quality of life back. I have no side effects from it. My pain goes from 7.5 to 2 or 2.5. I feel like I can jump, run, dance, and move. Without Humira, I can barely turn, and everything is stiff. I would not be able to be a nurse without my Humira."

• Pan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• November 15, 2020

"HLA B27 was (a Human leukocyte antigen B27) with uveitis and reactive arthritis, became very severe and could not walk or do anything, severe pain head to foot. After going on Humira, I was 99% better, it really worked. Side effects of Humira for me are skin cuts take a bit of time to heal and skin fungal infections on two toes where joints touch - these are a minor inconvenience. But now I run 5 km every day again and play golf and can walk and can dress myself. One year plus of heaven. Thank you, Humira and medical science."

• joe...
• January 3, 2012

"I feel like I have so much energy when I have my shots, morning stiffness and aches in my upper and lower back seem so much better. Only downside is the worry about the more serious side effects and the hair loss!"

• CLE...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2015

"My back and hip pain started back in 2001. I saw so many doctors for it and was told I was too fat, so I dropped 100 lbs, and the pain got worse. Then I was told I was pill-seeking. I told that doctor if a fricken Midol took away the pain, I would take that! Finally, after 10 years of pain, my gastroenterologist tested me for AS, and it came back positive. I was diagnosed with colitis back in '96, so I'm not sure why they didn't put two and two together, and as a result, since I went untreated for a decade, my spine and hips are really messed up. I was on Enbrel, which was amazing. Just switched to Humira. Praying it kicks in soon! Tired of the pain!"

• Jan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2018

"My insurance company insisted I had to take Humira. I was on it for less than a week, and I started running a fever. I ran a fever for 3 weeks, went to the doctor, and had a lung infection. I took antibiotics, went off Humira, and started again when the infection was gone. A week later, I had the fever and infection again. I also had an allergic reaction at the injection site: hot, red, and swollen, the size of a melon on my stomach. I had to have a steroid to get it to go away. Bad drug."

• Fit...
• February 14, 2018

"I took Humira for about 20 months. I was taken off it at my doctor's recommendation. I have developed psoriasis from this drug. Thanks, Humira. While on the drug, I still had stiffness, and I actually feel the same, if not better, now that I am Humira-free. Experienced headaches and extreme fatigue while on Humira, too. Presently just on Sulindac and feel so much better. The drug is outrageously expensive, and the Complete plan covers most. The company called me about nine times in regards to 2018 and checking my insurance plan. Interesting that they have not inquired as to why I am not taking the drug anymore. Perhaps they don’t want to add my Humira side effects to updated stats. Be careful what you put into your body!!"

• che...
• August 6, 2019

"Worked great for about a year, but then started needing more and more for pain relief. Was up to 1 pen a week. Noticed that if I got a cut, it would take almost a month to heal. 2 years later, it has pretty much no effect."

• Lad...
• January 31, 2015

"I get Humira from the VA and have been on it for a couple of years. I only inject about once a month even though I am supposed to use it once every two weeks. It works well, but I am concerned about side effects. I got shingles once after taking the shot. I am assuming because it lowers my immune system. However, it is worth the risk overall and significantly has reduced my pain and pretty much stopped the progression. I also take Piroxicam daily."

• AMD...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 2, 2015

"I was offered Humira by a specialist in rheumatoid arthritis. I was iffy about taking this treatment; I have several discs that are damaged from 15 years of being a union flooring installer, and I was seeking a more permanent solution for the pain. Little did I know what kind of ride I was in for. The RA doctor was very eager to put me on Humira after seeing him just twice. After injection, I experienced a wide array of side effects: flu-like pain in the lower back (never goes away), caused my C2 pain medicine to have 0 effect (240 mg OxyContin), my entire body felt bloated, my taste buds were messed up, I was not aware of my surroundings at times, insomnia, stomach aches, and gas. Feeling cold often."

• aeo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2015

"Made me feel terrible, didn't relieve pain and was given to me even though my family has a history of lymphoma, despite my warning the doctor of this. Beware this treatment for AS, gives you worse health problems than the pain it treats."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 6, 2023

"After so many trials and errors with other medications, Humira has changed my life. I can lay down at night without pain. I don’t fear when it rains or storms. I have always been an active person but was diagnosed at 40 with AS. I was hesitant about starting the medication because of online bad reviews. My condition was pretty bad, and the doctor reassured me that this medication would help me. Finally, I am myself with zero side effects!"

• cdr...
• September 15, 2013

"I have lived with ankylosing spondylitis since I was 14 (49 now). Did okay with NSAIDs until about 10 years ago when it began to really get bad. Started Humira 2 years ago. It took about 4 months to really help my back. Unfortunately, lately it seems to be losing its effectiveness. Hopefully, this is just a blip in treatment."