Adalimumab and Pain: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Jak...
• April 12, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Humira ruined my life. I now have horrible arthritis that wakes me up screaming in pain when I move my knees. My joints are swelling and painful. I have also lost control of my left bicep, it went dead and no longer works. I also have horrible nerve pain, especially around my elbows. This medicine caused so many new problems for me that I never had before taking it. I just had mild to moderate UC before taking this. I'm now in pain all the time. I failed Lialda and Remicade before this."

• JJJ...
• September 16, 2017

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have just been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in November 2016 at the age of 20 years old. I've begun the Humira injection 40 milligrams in April 2017 and am still currently using it. Just the last couple of weeks, my pain has dramatically gotten worse. I'm in a lot more pain in my hips and legs and in my back. I've also just been diagnosed with bursitis in both my shoulders. Out of the blue, pain in my hips, my knees, my legs, and back. I've spoken to my GP, and all I can do is wait until October to see my rheumatologist, as he doesn't want to change my medications. With the Humira, I still felt the same, but only my pain cramps have stopped, pain is still there too."

• ste...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 7, 2021

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on and off Humira, and now I've been on it for a couple of months. It's not helping at all! I have to take pain pills to be able to move and help with all the pain I have all over. I'm looking into getting on something else."

• H19...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 19, 2016

For Psoriasis "I've had severe psoriasis since I was about 10 (18 now). It covered my entire torso, back, scalp, forehead, and arms. I literally tried EVERYTHING, but found things worked for a very short period before it just all came back. Originally, I was on Enbrel, but I really couldn't handle the pain of the injections, so I couldn't keep taking them regularly, and so eventually, they stopped working. Humira, for me, although still painful, was much more bearable than Enbrel. It took a couple of months to work, but now my skin is completely clear, and I've never been happier. Of course, the downside is that if it continues to work, I'll be having the injection for the rest of my life, but for me, this is a small price to pay for the amazing results it's given."

• Dis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2017

For Psoriasis "Started HUMIRA 8 weeks ago, and my psoriasis is worse than ever. It is causing worsening of itching, my hands and feet are drier, itchier, and more painful than ever. I am developing new lesions in areas I never had before. My dermatologist recommended taking it for another 4 weeks, but it is unbearable. I read that some patients develop anti-drug antibodies, I suspect I may be one of them."

• Ang...
• June 1, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "In response to Rick. I started Humira and had good results. Then needed to come off it because I injured tendons in my foot. When I restarted Humira, I have not achieved the same results. My joints are red, swollen, and remain in a lot of pain."

• Mar...
• September 11, 2013

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I am 38. After my total hip replacement, Doc found the sacroiliac joint swollen. I couldn't bend and had a lot of pain. Been in Humira for 2 1/2 years now. If you numb your site with ice before using your Humira pen, 1/2 hour before, it is less painful."

• Tin...
• April 27, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am on Plaquenil and the disease was progressing. My doctor (whom I respect and value) recommended going on Humira. I gave myself the first injection and thought I had gotten my life back. I felt better almost instantly. Unfortunately, eleven days later, I had a huge allergic reaction at the site of the injection and my entire body (head to toe) was covered in hives. I was in pain and very itchy for days. I had to discontinue the use of Humira immediately and was put on steroids to calm everything down."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2023

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "For 18 months, my ankylosing spondylitis was treated with Humira. I experienced increased heart rate, pain, and inflammation that progressed. Random rashes appeared. I experienced anxiety, being that the treatment affected my immune system functioning."

• Abb...
• May 14, 2015

For Psoriasis "I'm a 21-year-old female who has been suffering from scalp psoriasis since I was in elementary school. I've tried every topical treatment on the market and cortisone injections before my dermatologist decided to put me on Humira. Everyone fails to mention that this stuff hurts, I have a high pain tolerance, and the five times I've injected myself (with the syringe), I can keep a straight face while I inject it, then when I withdraw, I start crying. I have had minimal results but am definitely seeing improvement. I heard the scalp in particular is hard to treat, so I still have high hopes!"

• Nor...
• December 7, 2010

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Humira for nearly a year now. At first, my rheumatologist was having me inject myself every 14 days, but that was not as effective as we would have liked, so he upped it to every 10 days. I kept it that way for a couple of months, but my pain still was bad sometimes. So now he has me injecting myself once a week. Overall, I think I'm having some success with the Humira, but I still feel quite tired and have days when my hands and back hurt too much for me to perform my job at work and do things around the house. My fingernails look better, but I'm not sure if the Humira has the ability to help that. I did have clearing of some of the plaques on my skin, but recently I have noticed that they are returning again."

• Kni...
• June 17, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been on Humira for almost 2 years. I feel it works pretty well, I do notice some joint pain before it rains and the day before my shot, but my doctor says that can be due to damage already done. For anyone considering starting it, my experience was this: I typically have plaque psoriasis on my scalp and knees. When I first started the shots, I had an itchy 2-3 day rash at the injection site (this was resolved by having me ice the shot site first, I recommend this to everyone). I also had guttate psoriasis spread over my thighs and sides, which thankfully went away after 4 months, it was painful and snagged on my clothes. It would have been a deal breaker if it didn't go away, but it did, thankfully."

• Do...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 8, 2018

For Crohn's Disease "I have been diagnosed with Crohn's since 2012 but had the symptoms from childhood, just never looked into it until it was affecting my job and daily life. I tried many drugs just to get side effects and no relief, but Humira was by far the worst ever. I developed HPV and had to have my cervix cauterized, and psoriasis so bad my hair was falling out in clumps and pustules on my feet and hands that itched and hurt so bad, and my tattoos were just red globs. My appearance was so bad, and I felt so horrible I seriously considered suicide. I stopped the Humira ASAP and took oregano oil, and it cleared up the psoriasis immediately, and I detoxed with charcoal and bentonite clay. I haven't taken any prescription drugs since. My doctor is pushing another biologic, Stelara, I fear for my life. My doctor is trying to kill me. I have far worse side effects than any pain my Crohn's gives me. Apple cider vinegar does wonders for me also, mixed with honey and hot water and lemon."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 28, 2017

For Crohn's Disease "I have severe Crohn's disease, and after 15 months of taking Humira, I developed night sweats, and my abdomen was swollen so much it displaced some of my organs, causing pain. I headed to the emergency room, and after a PET scan, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer."

• Bre...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 12, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "My 16-year-old daughter was diagnosed with JIA - psoriatic - almost 2 years ago. She was started on Celebrex, methotrexate, and then Humira injections. She has changed from pens to syringes for comfort and convenience. My comment is that, since May 2017, she has been in an apparent constant flare-up. Her pain is constant in every joint! She has missed so much school over the last few months, and it is now beginning to affect her mentally. We report to the rheumatologist every visit that she is in constant pain, but it seems that 'nothing more can be done.' In the meantime, my daughter's social life is non-existent, her schooling is suffering, and she is wary of being away from me (Mum) as nobody understands her pain and its effect. Help."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 24, 2021

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have been on Humira for 6 months now, and am experiencing much more pain than I ever did before taking this drug. I feel sick all the time, have no energy, and have difficulty breathing. Humira has also caused me to be extremely constipated and have terrible anxiety. This drug may work for some people, but I will not be taking it anymore."

• Scr...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 1, 2017

For Psoriasis "I have the gene from my mom's and dad's side. There was, or still is, a skip-a-generation rumor for psoriasis that could be true. I praise the Lord my daughter does not have it, and she is going to turn 20 on July 4th. At age 13, it started as dandruff in cold weather. All sports player in the sun, thankfully, it went away every summer. It moved to the knees and elbows over time through the same seasons. Then a spot, then two showed up on my chest. I summer sun tanned. It works. I went to coal tar, then to a diet, suffered like hell, hid, scratched, piled up skin I needed to vacuum every day. I couldn't get all the blood out of the sheets. Methotrexate, psoriatane, and Enbrel did well. Humira did great, only two shots a month. My psoriasis has beat it."

• Jas...
• June 24, 2019

For Psoriasis "Humira has changed my life. I started from the beginning when it all kicked off. The only worry I got is now, at the moment, I’m suffering from a tight throat, pains, and numbness up my side. I also felt something burst inside (hip to groin). I’ve tried asking for help with this at my doctor's and the Humira aftercare team, and all I get is 'in two weeks we can see you.' Before I started this, my doctor said to me, 'if there’s any problems, pick up the phone,' and I believed him. But as for aftercare now, since he’s left, everything up to me. I’m worried, it is the first time I’ve rang with a problem I can't handle, and they tell me to hold on for two weeks. I'm having a good and bad experience, so I've decided to price up private to try and see if I can get the help I need that way."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2011

For Psoriasis "Effectively controlling my psoriasis like nothing I've ever tried, and I experience little to no side effects (mild bruising and redness at injection site). The shot is slightly painful, and it takes a lot of working up courage when I stick myself with it."

• Moo...
• February 1, 2016

For Crohn's Disease "I've had Crohn's for years and was diagnosed with arthritis. My doctors said Humira would be the answer. After 6 months of taking the 40 mg pen, I can't say I'm feeling any better. The biggest problem is I'm in more pain than ever, just in different places, and I have gained 25 lbs since starting Humira. My nurse ambassador says pain and weight gain are not one of the side effects, so I'm still taking the Humira. I'd like to know if anyone else has had these two problems while taking Humira? More pain and weight gain, please let me know. Thank you."

• Sto...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 2, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was placed on this medication after Enbrel, and it worked really well for the first couple of years. My psoriasis never went away, but it did help it. It greatly helped my arthritis, I was not able to get in and out of bed by myself, could barely get into a car, and was having difficulties dressing. It was not immediate, but within 6 months, I was feeling 'almost' normal. Then I started developing GI issues when I injected to the point that the acid reflux and pain were so difficult, I ended up in an ER. After 4 years, the medication has stopped working, so my rheumatologist recommended switching. It was great while it worked, but now on to something that I hope works as well as Humira did initially."

• Deb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 18, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "After my first and only shot, ten days later I broke out in a rash from head to toe. The interesting thing was the area where I had given my shot was red and made a rather large circle surrounding the area where I inserted the needle. I contacted my doctor and she prescribed steroids to counteract the rash. Later in the evening, I was in the most excruciating pain in my legs, this lasted all night into the early morning. I even contemplated going to the ER. In the ten days of being on Humira, I had no relief from PA. I have some plaque psoriasis, and I will say that cleared up in the ten days that I was on it, only to return shortly thereafter. On a side note, I would like to say Humira has a wonderful support staff should you have any questions."

• jus...
• August 25, 2018

For Psoriasis "I was on Humira for 5 years. The last year on it, I was having hip and back pain so bad, along with a constant bad headache. Repeated visits to Drs to have them think I'm crazy and odd. I spent so much on medical bills: chiropractor, holistic chiropractor, regular Dr, sports Drs. I kept asking if it was the Humira injections causing this. I was told no way, that's not possible. Well, I decided to take the shot in the other hip, and lo and behold, I had pain full force. I stopped completely. Went to my dermatologist and explained what had been going on. She looked at me and said I have 3 other patients going through the exact same thing! Three months later, and I'm on Otezla; my back hurts again, daily headaches, and I feel so tired every day! I'm ready to give up!"

• Anonymous
• August 9, 2016

For Plaque Psoriasis "I was on the drug for about 6 months and had no side effects besides pain during the drug injection. My plaque psoriasis completely disappeared within the first 6 weeks and continued to do so until about 6 months later. No rhyme or reason, but it stopped working, and I'm in the WORST FLARE of my life. I've never had any issues with my hands or feet, but now that's my troubled spots. My hands and feet are severely dry and peeling, and the pain and itch are horrific. I'm using all the medicated ointments and creams that my dermatologist has prescribed, along with a new biologic, Stelara, and nothing has stopped the flare. I wrap my feet in Saran Wrap to help hold the moisture and medication in, and do the same with my hands with gloves. HELP!"

• Dtf...
• January 18, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "I started taking Humira for Crohn's. It never did help, I continued losing weight and ended up losing my large intestine. My feet started getting cold from the very beginning, and it turned out it was neuropathy. So, Humira did not help me and gave me pain and numbness for the rest of my life!"