I am 36 yrs old and have been taking Enbrel for about 2 years. Though it doesn't clear up ALL of my psoriasis, I have been very pleased with it. Having been through years and years of different topical treatments, diets, biologics like raptiva...I was happy with enbrel's success with my PA. HOWEVER, at my last dermo checkup my doctor said he wanted to switch me to Humira. Though I was hesitant, he mentioned that some patients do better on Humira than Enbrel. (Is this true?) Even when I told him I didn't mind the few very small (i repeat: very small) patches of psoriasis left on my body, he encouraged me to try Humira. Now, after dealing with getting the dermo to file prescription, insurance co accepting coverage, and the specialty pharmacy delivering the meds, I have FINALLY received the Humira---and I'm feeling very worried. Having tried the "pens" with Enbrel, I found that I prefer the syringes and repeatly requested that when changing prescriptions...and, of course, I received Humira pens. Plus, I get one month of Humira for the same price as I got THREE months of Enbrel. (My injection schedule with Humira will be once every two weeks, rather than my Enbrel weekly shot, so it's a lot less "medicine") Also, I have now read that effectiveness of Humira may take longer to "kick in." I'm already off schedule by five days (past my weekly shot,) and I just received the meds today, so I don't want to wait any longer and I am going to give Humira a shot (pun intended) and try it. But I'm really anxious that I may have made a mistake and should have stayed with Enbrel - Usually I'm all for trying progressive medicines, but I worry about "fixing what isn't broken" and making things worse, especially after paying MORE for it. Any advice would be SO appreciated! Anyone have this dilema? THank you, CindyMy rheumatologist has recommended Humira for my PA because it is supposed to work better for dactylitis.
I haven't started yet.I'm the opposite - had flu-like aches with Humira which was my doctor's first choice - and had to switch the Enbrel. He prefers Humira, but could not give me reasons other than once every 2 weeks instead of weekly injections. I'm not seeing the speed of improvement I did on Humira, but I'm only at week 4 of 50 mg/injection of Enbrel. It took about 5 - 7 weeks for the side effects to hit, and I just thought I had a bad virus or flue or was getting truly depressed. Stopped the Humira, and all was well; except the darn psoriasis returned with a vengence. Now I'm hoping long term for Enbrel.