Humira or Enbrel? | Arthritis Information

 

Hi everyone. I started Humira in November 2005. The reason I chose it is because it's only every 2 weeks so I figured it's better than sticking myself every week. However, the shots do sting going in, I think because the medecine is pretty thick. Has anyone tried both Enbrel and Humira and do they both sting? Thanks.

 

Kerry

Hi Kerry,

I was poking around this forum, I am normally in the Psoriatic Arthritis one, but I have been on both.  I started with Enbrel and was on it for a number of years until it started putting red blotches on my skin. My RA was afraid it was chemically induced LUPUS - thankfully the tests came back negative.  I switched to Humira and have been on it close to a year and have had a positive outomes to this shot. 

Both do the same thing, the enbrel was easier going in and I changed to using a thinner needle as the one that comes with it seemed a bit big for me (I am a wimp LOL). The Humira stings and hurts and because of that it takes a little longer to give the shot.

I have found that taking the shot out of the frig for a bit prior to using it - approx 5 minutes and using an ice block to numb the area of the injection helps tremendously.

Stick with it - this is definately better than the alternative.  Atleast for me.

I have PA in 90% of my body (Jaw, neck, spine, knees ankles, feet, ribs and arms.  But my left arm is the only one not affected.  so without drugs, I cannot move or walk and end up crawling around like a baby.  I am 41 years of age with a body who thinks it is much older :)

anyway - keep a positive outlook on life and things will work out.

Tony

Hi Kerry, I usually have mine out for at least 30 minutes before I do it. Often it hurts no matter how log it's out.

Ask your rheumatologist about the Humira Pen instead of the shot.  One fast stick and it is over in about 10 seconds.  I still take it out 20 minutes before injecting and no stinging!

Does anyone take both Humira and Enbryl?You can't take them both at the same time. Only one biologic at a time. hey Lovie, are the B12 shots helping you with energy? Hi

I have been on both Enbrel and Humira, I started with enbrel and had been on it for almost 4 years it was an absolutly amazing drug and helped me soooo much I was in so much pain before starting it. Like you I also hated needles but my doctor made me try it myself and now I couldn't care less about needles no big deal. I find that the 50mg Enbrel stings a lot when injecting because it is such a concentrated dose if you are concerned about the stinging you can try the 25mg twice a week I used the 25mg once and felt no stinging. I just changed to Humira recently because I noticed Enbrel wasn't working as well as it once had so I talked with my doctor and made the switch I am one dose in and I think it actually stings less than Enbrel but it still does sting

Hope this helps
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