Enbrel vs. Humira | Arthritis Information

Hi everyone. I have had PA for 15 years. I know more about this disease than any doctor I've been to! I have been on Enbrel for over 2 years and am extremely happy with the success. The only problem is, I feel best when I'm on it twice a week. But because I've been on it for 2 years or more the "literature" recommends only once a week for maintenance. I am not happy with that and have been fighting to get it increased again without any luck. I saw a new rheumatologist this week and she suggests Humira. I don't know much about it, but know that it's a biologic like Enbrel. Anyone have any advice for me? Are you on Humira and is it working for you? Is it worth the switch from Enbrel? Enbrel works so good for me so I'm very nervous about the change. It's hard to learn about drugs online for me. I need to hear it from people like me who have the disease. I'm new to this site, so I'm excited to hear from anyone! Thanks.

I'm 31 yrs old and I was diagnosed with PsA maybe 4 months ago. I've been on Humira for weeks now. I just took my 3rd injection yesterday. My doctor prescribed Humira over Embrel because supposingly Humira will help wiht my Psorasis. Well fortunately, the med is working for my arthritis. I feel so so so so much better. Unfortunately, my psorasis is not getting any better. I still feel very in-humane. I have spot or lesions or patches all over my body top to bottom. But then again, I am very happy because at least im feeling better. I will pick FEELING better over Looking BETTEr any day.

Got a question for those who are taking Humira, " Humira can keep you awake if you inject it at night right???"

AchingCandee,

For some reason, the Humira helped my arthritis immediately but took longer to help my psoriasis. Now, I am almost clear which is amazing. I used to have psoriasis EVERYWHERE. So embarrassing and uncomfortable.

Nothing worked. Not MTX, not psoriatane, not even Raptiva (a bioligical for psoriasis but not arthritis), but the Humira did, so you might have success with it after all.

It took several months for me to see improvement, then it just kept on getting better.

Now, all I have to do is lose this prednisone weight and maybe I could actually meet someone and not be afraid to have them see my body.

Jennifer

Hi. I am 30 and have PA. Initially I was taking Humira. I hated it. I think it helped with my Arthritis pain but I did not like the injections - they were painful. I was also nervous about going on MXT - I don't have children yet and just dont feel comfortable. My Rhem said I had to go on something or my Psoriatic Arthritis is going to get worse. I started Enbrel 4 months ago and I am quite happy on it (except recently I have injection site sores.) My arthritis pain is 80% gone and I am able to exercise again - running, biking, and lifting. The legions on my scalp have gotten better but not as much as the arthritis pain. I've been on Humira for nearly a year now. For the first 2 - 3 months zero help...then BOOM I started clearing up. Now other than some slight discoloration you wouldn't believe I had Psoriasis...and believe me...my hands, elbows, knee's and feet were pretty tough to look at. My Derm. was very aggresive with treatments and we had tried all of the creams, anit-rejection drug, MTX and a various combination. Then we did Enbrel...and it showed great promise..But..the P was still there so we added MTX into it....just ok results. The Humira has been great...all but the shot....it stings like a son of a gun....but it works. Now I'm dabbling with Gout like pain in my foot.Hi
I was dx with PA in '98. Soon after went on remicade. This worked the best of anything I've been on. Psoriasis was completely gone!! However my lungs didn't
like the med and I was switched to Enbrel. Did good on Enbrel, but not as good
as remicade. Psoriasis was at a minimum. But again I had too many upper
resp infections. Late last year my rheumy switched me to Humira. So far I don't
believe I'm getting much benefit. Psoriasis is at all time high. But, no upper
respiratory infections. I got used to the Enbrel injections and barely felt the needle
go in once they made the needle smaller. Seldom any reaction at injection site.
Humira on the other hand stings like crazy and I've yet to get through an injection
without crying out in pain. Those suckers really hurt. I don't inject all at once, but
rather plunge it in until it stings, they wait for it to subside before I start to inject
some more. I repeat this until it's all gone.
I'm still hopeful this med will work for me. I've only been on it 4 months.
Sandi

I got PsA for a year now and thinking of using anti-TNF treatments. Can anyone help explain to me the pros & cons of Humira and the others. Thanks.

Cindeee

Greetings! I've had some form of P my whole life...behind my ears when I was a kids (then that went away), then my scalp and back for past 10 years or so.

In the past 4 months, my psoriasis went nuts all over my body (in a 2 month period) and I developed PA, and it hurt like a motha'! I would hurt all day, all over my body, all major joints. I spend 12-14 hours a day at the computer for work, and that became almost unbearable. I started taking Diclofenac twice a day, which helped the pain, but it would still hurt real bad at night and I couldnt sleep, and could barely even walk. I actually became very fearful for my life and family, I am the sole provider and work for myself....if I can't provide, who will.

I am actually really against medicine, and wanted to find herbal treatment. So I tried fish oils, flax, Zyflamend, Centrum, coconut oil, you name it. It was hard to tell if any worked, because the Diclofenac made it hard to determine what did what.

In the end, I caved in and am now on Enbrel, little over 2 weeks now. It's absolutely amazing! I still hate that I'm on these drugs, but I feel almost 100% better and can now work normally and sspend quality time with my family (when previously I worked from bed and isolated myself because I couldn't move without pain). So, if this is what it takes to be "normal", then so freakin' be it...I'm off the Diclofenac, and just taking Enbrel (and the supplements, they can't really hurt). I'm still hoping for better results with my P, but maybe some UV therapy will help.

All in all, Enbrel has saved my life. But, talk to me in 10 years, and we'll see what kind of side effects come up <grin>!

Regards.

I've gotten some great information off this thread.

Could some of you look on my thread "Enbrel...do or don't if we want kids" and see if you have any info?

ive been suffering with joint pains for about 2 yrs now. i just recently got insurance so ive been under treatment with humira and methyl since feb 09 i haven't seen any difference especially with the psoriasis... ive been with cortisone treatment since july 08 and it's the only thing that has helped me walk. the pains are so bad that i was bed bound for 3 months. we've lowered the dosage of prednisone a lot but ive gained over 60 lbs and as a result to using decadron previous to prednisone i developed cushings syndrome.
the cushings has decreased since i changed to prednisone but i can't seem to get rid of the weight because of all the joint pains i have. the plaques haven't diminished in fact they have gotten worse. im wondering if i should switch to embrel. my cousin has psorasis also (with out the joint pain) took embrel and on the 3 week she was practically all gone.

i am severely depressed, i need for pain to diminish especially on the ankles so that i can excersice.
my fingers are affected to the point that i can't bend some of the fingers... they are extremely swollen!

i can't take this anymore, it's sooo damn painful. i don't wish it upon anyone at all!!!

help!!!!

If you haven't had treatment for several years then it might take longer for the meds to start working but I would think that they'd be working by now (4 months). There are several more meds that you can take. I too developed Cushings but as long as I stay on 5.5mg. of Pred. I'm ok. Are you injecting Humira every 2 weeks? If that's your schedule it can be changed to every 10 days and if need be to weekly injections. Also your RD can increase MXT to 25mg. weekly and he/she can add Sulfasalazine. It's a dmard that's particularly effective for PsA. You need to sit down and talk with your RD about this. I also gained 50 lbs. while on Pred. for 4 years. It took a year to taper off but I was able to once the meds kicked in. I'm now losing weight but it's a slow process. Are you on any pain meds? I'm really sorry for you....I know what you're going through. At my worst I was bedridden until the Pred. started to work and that was 4 years ago. Call your RD tomorrow and get an appt. Lindy