Humira

[Guest guest]

I'm 38 and have been on Humira approaching 3 months. I haven't

noticed any side effects from Humira including injection site

reactions. I was quite nervous about injections when I started, but

am getting used to it more. For me, I found injecting into the

thighs were fairly painless. I do get some stinging during

injections though.

I also notice that the effects start wearing out around 1 1/2 weeks,

though as I'm approaching 3 months, it's not as noticeable as when I

first started. My RD said Humira builds up in your system to a peak

at 3 months. Maybe that is what's happening.

I did read from http://www.rxabbott.com/pdf/humira.pdf that " The

systematic clearance of adalimumab is approximately 12mL/hr. The

mean terminal half-life was approximately 2 weeks, ranging from 10 to

20 days across studies. " Whatever that means. I know one person

taking Humira every 10 days.

I felt all the RA fatigue lift the first morning after taking

Humira. My swellings came down maybe 50% after 1 week. When I took

my blood test after 1 month, my ESR dropped from the 40's to normal

at 10. I've reduced my methotrexate from 12.5mg to 7.5mg as a

result. I don't feel any benefits from methotrexate, only side

effects. I was taking methotrexate alone along with an NSAID and

folic acid before starting Humira. I've also recently dropped my

NSAID and am doing alright without it. I did have a flare when I was

on Humira and I still get some soreness in certain joints.

I was diagnosed about 8 months ago with RA, but had symptoms for

about 2 years. My new RD says it could be Psoriatic Arthritis or

gout rather than RA. The Humira cleared up a small psoriasis patch

on my scalp as well. I do have bone erosions in my finger and

probably in one toe.

Good luck to you all,

Mike