Hi Everyone

I have seen the consultant for the 1st time since I started Humira last November. The one side effect that I have had is constant itching. I am taking an anti histamine each day to combat this. The consultant is reluctant to keep me on Humira because of this side effect. I have to decide which one I would like to go on instead. At this point I have no idea but I thought that maybe those of you who are on anti tnf other than Humira could advise me as to what has been successful for you.

Regards

Val

Val

I have tried both Humira and Enbrel and with both I had side effects. Mainly bad skin reactions so had to stop both. On Monday I started Simponi which is a relatively new anti-tnf. I did this with much trepidation as I had also failed on Rituximab by infusion for the same reasons and had a very bad reaction to this causing lots of running around by medical staff and a very scary time. I wondered if I was going to be allergic to all of them.

The nurse told me before I injected that this anti-tnf has no absorbic acid in it unlike the other anti-tnf's which is renound for causing itching and skin reactions. The pen I used has also been designed with input from RA patients. She told me to inject it in my leg which I was very reluctant to do as the Humira and Enbrel had been very painful doing it this way.

I am VERY pleased to report that the pen was the easiest I had ever used, I did not feel the injection at all and most importantly I have had no reaction to the injection whatsoever. Now I can't say that it is going to work on the RA but not having any side effects is half the battle.

Good luck with your choice and hope you find the one which suits you.

Jackie
xx

I have tried enbrel, humira and simponi. I had the same reaction as you to Humira and was taken off it immediately. I was taken off Simponi after 2 injections as it gave me drug induced lupus although the injections didn't hurt at all. I am now on enbrel for the second time round and it is working but slowly whereas the first time I had it it worked really quickly. The only side effect I have is a runny nose. I am allergic to the pen thing, my rheumy thought it was the enbrel but my nurse suggested trying the syringe instead and the reaction died down.

I hope you find a drug that suits you.

Mary

Hi Val

Sorry to hear you are having side effects from your medication. I've been taking Cimzia since December, early days I know, but there is a big improvement on my pain, my esr & crp have also reduced. The syringes are very stiff but fingers crossed the drug seems to be working.

Hope you get something sorted soon. Good Luck.

Take Care

Lou x

Val

So sorry to hear you're having a bad time. If it will help, we could send you a copy of our recently updated Biologics booklet which might help with some background information on all the drugs available. Let us know (enquiries@nras.org.uk) if you would like one sent out to you.

Good luck.

The NRAS Team