Hi Folks! I've been on Remicade and Methotrexate for about two years. I feel pretty good for the most part with the exception of stiffness and pain in my hands along with some other joint pains at times. My problems is that I have a bad reaction to the Remicade treatment. I get a flushed fever like condition at first and after this passes I get a flu like condition with pain throught my entire body. This lasts for a day or two. I am considering switching to Humira. Does anyone recommend it?
Thanks, Allan
I've been on Humira since last summer and it has made a world of difference for me. I do remember the nurse in my Rhumys office telling me that if humira didn't work for me to try enbrell next as the formulation for humira and remicade are similar. Humira started working with the first shot for me and has just gotten better with time. Hope you have good luck with whatever you decide.
ginger
Thanks Ginger!
That sounds pretty good. I guess the only way to find out for sure is to try it. At least we have a few options as far as treatment goes. Can you imagine how much people with RA must have suffered in years past.
Allan
Humira has been the best thing that ever happened to me! No side effects and works great...I highly recommend it!
Best of luck-
Nichole
Thanks Nichole!
Are you taking Methotrexate or other drugs with the Humira? Glad to see it working for you.
Allan
Thanks for your reply. Are you on Humira alone or with Methotrexate or other drug?
Allan
I have had RA for about three years. I was put on Remicade after trying many drugs. I had a strong reaction to the Remicade also. I had the flu like symptoms which included vomiting for a day. My Rheumy switched me to Humira after about eight months, seven months to slow for me. My Rheumy told me that Remicade is derived from the genes of a mouse, whereas Humira is derived from human genes or dna.,.,.something like that. Many people have adverse reaction to the mouse genes. I do so much better on the Humira ,which I have been on for over a year with no reations at all. And I react to everything including Mtx. The shot can be hard to administer to yourself as it stings going in. I would really recommend the switch to Humira if your doctor advises.
All my best,
Kim
The only thing I'm on with the Humira is Mobic. Definitely no methotrexate--I got sick from that one too many times:)
Nichole
Allen,
I have been on Humira since December and although it’s taken a while to really become effective for me I do like it. I also take Methotrexate (9 pills a week; can’t remember the mg.) Methotrexate alone just wasn’t working. I still experience some stiff joints especially 1st thing in the morning but the “morning stiffness” doesn’t last nearly as long as it use to. I also feel like I have a lot more energy than I’ve had in recent years. The shots aren’t too much fun…but I only take it every other Saturday and I have a great husband that does it for me.
It’s certainly worth a try. Good Luck!!
By the way...I'm new here. I've recently started visiting the message boards at WebMD and have enjoyed talking with others about RA which I've stuffered from for almost 11 years now. This is a neat site. I'll look forward to visiting more often.