Replace Enbrel with Humira?

February 2, 2010

Greetings. After visiting with my rheumy yesterday, she suggested I switch from

Enbrel to Humira because I have very sore problematic psoriatic lesions on my

hands and elbows, and a few other spots.

I'm concerned about switching as I'm feeling pretty good on Enbrel and only have

morning stiffness and a few joints that are painful. She reminded me that when

I first started taking Enbrel that I had absolutely no arthritis or psoriasis

symptoms. I now have a couple areas (joints AND tendons/ligaments) that are

painful that I never had a problem with before and she seems to think that I

will continue to get worse.

I'd appreciate any advice from your experience. I, too, was concerned about

taking a biologic as we all know the warnings and it just so happens that my

father died at 34 of lymphoma, and my sister was diagnosed with malignant

melanoma at 30 - fortunately hers has not spread to any other organs. However -

my rheumy knows my family history and says that I shouldn't be concerned about

it. I also know that there are lots and lots of people out there who have it a

lot worse than I (my sister with the m-m has had juvy-RA since she was ten) and

I feel like I should be very happy with the symptoms I have.

Again - I'd appreciate any advice/opinions that you may have.

Jana

44 y.o. female with PsA for three years, psoriasis for 20 years

February 2, 2010

I went from Enbrel to Humira because the Enbrel just wasn't helping all that

much. What a difference. I'm about 95% clear now. I have been on it now for

about 1 1/2 yrs now with no problems. My PA is progressing tho. I started taking

about 10,000 iu's of Vit D3 and I believe it is helping also. Hope this helps.

Herb

LAUGHTER IS ALWAYS THE BEST MEDICINE!

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