Hi Audrey,
i started Humira just over a week ago and at this point I highly reccomend it. the whole process has been good so far did'nt have to wait as long as first thought for it to arrive had tests done for tb chest xray all clear. I have been diagnosed for well over a year and half now and started off on mex which sent liver levels up then sulfa which again affected liver and kidney also felt very low. then went for a long time just had prednisolone and painkillers went to consultant in march and she said I passed all steps for trying Humira. saw rheumy nurse in april and she wet thru all things about Humira gave me dvd to watch (Saw the lovely Kelly one of our members explain how to use) the thing that has been really stressed to me is if you feel you are coming down with something sore throat, wee infection etc then put off using Humira if concerned speak to nurse but can delay taking till you are feeling better. At this point had been told it could take 6 to 8 weeks for humira to come but seeing as this is what I seem to do best Wait then so be it!!. anyway came Less than 3 weeks later and a homecare nurse next day to show me how to self inject I was so nervous but karen the nurse was good at helping me relax. And i did it, later on that night my hands felt less stiff and swollen. the next day I couldn't feel any stiffness in my hands just slight in knees and ankles which felt very strange for so long been waking with the pain and stiffness. couldn't quite believe it. I still feel tiredness come over me quickly but i am quite lucky I can go and rest when needs. yesterday I was out in the garden and perhaps overdid it, last night hands looked swollen again and felt stiff, but this morning not bad.
Let us know how you get on, all the best
sue xx

HI Audrey

I tried Humira, which did not suit, then went on to Enbrel. It has changed my life for the better, I can do many more things that I couldn't 3 years ago. I still have pain and cannot walk very far, but it's such a lot better.

I hope you find humira life-changing.

Lyn

Hi Audrey,

I suppose I am not the best person as an advocate for Humira, however, will say that in the first month of taking it I was less stiff in the morning and felt more energetic. After the third or forth jab, I noticed spots appearing on the palms of my hands and on the soles of my feet, which became very sore and inflamed. It turns out that I was very unfortunate and had a rare side effect to the Humira, apparently effecting only 1 in 10,000, and have now been diagnosed with Palmoplantar pustulosis, a rare form of psoriasis with no cure.

I am now waiting to restart Enbrel which was given to me in place of the Humira, which supposedly will treat not only my RA, but also the psoriasis. I was on Enbrel for just over a week (had 2 half dose jabs), before I came down with a kidney infection and E coli and had to stop. At the time the doctors thought I might be reacting to the Enbrel, or a combination of having an infection and side effects from Enbrel. I am now waiting for my immune system to pick up so that I will be strong enough to try and take Enbrel again and to see if I experience any side effects.

I think I am just unlucky, and please don't be dissuaded by my experience as I know that others have been given a new lease of life after taking anti tnfs. I am also still hopeful that I will find a drug that will work for me, who knows it might be Enbrel?

love,

Barbara
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