Humira for Ankylosing Spondylitis User Reviews (Page 3)

• JJJ...
• September 16, 2017

"I have just been diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis in November 2016 at the age of 20 years old. I've begun the Humira injection 40 milligrams in April 2017 and am still currently using it. Just the last couple of weeks, my pain has dramatically gotten worse. I'm in a lot more pain in my hips and legs and in my back. I've also just been diagnosed with bursitis in both my shoulders. Out of the blue, pain in my hips, my knees, my legs, and back. I've spoken to my GP, and all I can do is wait until October to see my rheumatologist, as he doesn't want to change my medications. With the Humira, I still felt the same, but only my pain cramps have stopped, pain is still there too."

• tim...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 19, 2014

"Great medicine, and Abvee/Abbott has great customer service, PAP, and sharps Biohazard disposal programs. 50-year-old male, diagnosed at 13, tall 6.3 (6.2 in the morning). Humira has worked for me for many years. However, my body became tolerant as my disease progressed, my doc changed it to 1x/10 days, but this medicine is less flexible as it relates to dosage as opposed to Remicade. The only downside to this, thus less than 10. After trying all of the various biologics for ankylosing spondylitis (Remicade, Enbrel, and Humira) in my decades-long journey with AS, I have found it's back to Remicade again because of dosage flexibility."

• Mar...
• September 11, 2013

"I am 38. After my total hip replacement, Doc found the sacroiliac joint swollen. I couldn't bend and had a lot of pain. Been in Humira for 2 1/2 years now. If you numb your site with ice before using your Humira pen, 1/2 hour before, it is less painful."

• Cre...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 24, 2016

"My reaction to Humira seems to be unusual. Within 2 hours of each injection, I would sleep so soundly I was not wakened even by drilling in the next room. I generally wanted to do nothing but sleep for about 36 hours after each injection, and overall I was unnaturally sleepy while on the medication. For the first 2 days after each injection, I experienced burning joints and a flu-like feeling with more prominent pain in my lower back. The only positive symptom was experiencing less nausea than I did prior to treatment. It was a relief to stop and 'wake up.'"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 8, 2023

"For 18 months, my ankylosing spondylitis was treated with Humira. I experienced increased heart rate, pain, and inflammation that progressed. Random rashes appeared. I experienced anxiety, being that the treatment affected my immune system functioning."

• Col...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 24, 2021

"I have been on Humira for 6 months now, and am experiencing much more pain than I ever did before taking this drug. I feel sick all the time, have no energy, and have difficulty breathing. Humira has also caused me to be extremely constipated and have terrible anxiety. This drug may work for some people, but I will not be taking it anymore."

• WCa...
• June 22, 2021

"I was skeptical about going on this medicine due to all the possible side effects. It came to a point where I felt defeated because my quality of life was very poor. Long story short, I’ve experienced chronic widespread pain since I was about 18 years old. I was not even able to sleep for more than a couple of hours at a time because my spine and shoulder blades were so inflamed. The pressure from lying on my back was unbearable. The chiropractor, acupuncture, physical therapy, and intensive workout routine, nor the strict diet helped my pain. If anything, the exercise definitely decreased it. Anyways, within the first couple of weeks of my first dose (Memorial Day 2021), I was still super stiff, so I had to continue my regime with Celebrex 200mg 2x a day. After my second Humira injection, within about 24-48 hours, I felt TOTAL RELIEF. I was no longer skeptical about the medicine and something told me my body needed it. It has only been 3 weeks on Humira, but I can tell you I am impressed!"

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 30, 2024

"I have had AS since I was 11 years old. I am now 35. Earlier this year, my pain and stiffness got a lot worse. It was the first time I could feel a change in this in 24 years. I started taking Humira a month and a half ago. I have had 3 injections, and I can't believe the results! I don't feel any discomfort, pain, or stiffness anymore like I used to. It is a life changer. I actually can't believe it. If you can, start taking Humira straight away!"

• Oli...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 9, 2024

"I started with lower back pain in April 2019, and after going through a long period of tests, MRI, nerve ablation, and injections of steroids, in December 2020, HLA-B27 was detected and I was finally diagnosed with AS axial and initiated with Humira. When I started this treatment, I was using 300 mg of pregabalin, 100 mg of tramadol, 4 mg of tizanidine, and 20 mg of famotidine, all together every 6 hours. I was bedridden and in need of a wheelchair, unable to do anything by myself. After starting Humira, I only need to use this medication every 24 hours. I haven't been able to completely stop this medication, but now I have my life back about 90%. Some people try to scare me off because of the side effects, but my liver enzymes Aso and ASI have been normal since then, very close to the normal range (39 and 54) of a reference range (35-45). I am so grateful that my rheumatologist prescribed Humira. I highly recommend it."

• DJD...
• November 9, 2011

"I had tested a number of non-steroid anti-inflammatory medicines, and either they had a very limited reaction or intolerance. I was proposed Humira as a potential miracle. Unfortunately, it was not at all the case for me, and so I reverted to Indocid."

• dud...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 15, 2021

"After being diagnosed with spondyloarthritis, I was started on MTX, which provided only partial control. My rheumatologist decided I needed a biologic, so I tried Humira first. After 12 weeks of use, absolutely no benefit (sometimes I wonder if I'm worse than before starting it), so we decided to change medication. No side effects either, at least."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 11, 2020

"I was diagnosed with AS a few years ago and started with Humira as my first treatment. After the first few injections, I started having side effects, nightmares to the point I was jumping up out of my sleep."

• Dru...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 5, 2021

"First 3 injections; next day, migraine lasted two days, racing resting heart rate 130 bpm. Day two through four, blood pressure 183/82, severe fatigue, excruciating joint pain, 70% vision loss. Day four through day 90; bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, bloody nose, sweats, fevers, uncontrolled rage with adrenaline through the roof."

• Ukl...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 10, 2021

"Absolutely amazing for my ankylosing spondylitis. I had moderate to severe pain constantly for the last 8 years, with constant nerve pain and inflammation in my hip from my sacroiliac joint and lower spine, which occasionally flared up in my neck and across my spine at chest height. This caused my ribs to inflame and my chest plate, which wasn't good for breathing or when I had a constant chest infection, which I think was due to DMARD immunosuppressants flaring it up constantly - plus they didn't help my suspected IBS and Crohn's, which is common with anky, and unfortunately, I suffer from them all. I was diagnosed properly in 2017, thankfully. I started on Humira 5 months ago. I was so scared I gave it a chance, but it's been the best thing for me. I have no inflammation and no nerve pain, it's gone completely. I inject every 2 weeks, and it took around 4 injections to work fully. I notice by day 12 sometimes I'm fatigued a little bit, ready for the next, and then I feel amazing."

• Ash...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 11, 2023

"I was diagnosed HLA B27 positive after having excruciating hip and lower back pain for the better half of 7 years on and off. Since I've been 18 basically. I got an MRI and it showed arthritis, sclerosis, and bone spurs in both of my hip joints and SI joints. Doctors told me I had ankylosing spondylitis and started me on Humira right away. The first three injections I had what we referred to as Humira hangover. Super brain foggy. Nausea, dizziness, fatigue. It would last for 3 to 4 days the first two injections. By the third injection it was down to a day. And I am six months into treatment now without hangover symptoms. If I go a long time in between injections. (like if I catch a cold, and hold off on an injection.) I sometimes notice I feel fatigued the next day. But it's nothing in comparison to what it was when I first started. Not everyone gets over the hangover but I'm lucky I did because this drug has gotten rid of all my pain. Haven't had a flare since I started it!"

• Boo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2022

"Was on meloxicam and finally got talked into trying something for my ankylosing spondylitis due to my left eye having a few flare-up episodes per year. Humira injection was a non-event. Let it sit on the kitchen counter for 30 minutes before injection. No sting or pain. Actually didn't feel anything at all both times I injected. The day I took my first injection, I was working, chainsawing tree trunks and branches and had a brush fire. My back was flared up and in lots of pain. The Humira removed all the pain within 12 hours. 30 hours after injection, I started having headaches. I had a constant headache for 4 days. Then it went away. And as I approached my 2 weeks since the injection, my headaches returned. I think the last 3 days of the 14-day period, I had continuous headaches. Second injection, still no issues. 24 hours in, I had constant headaches. I think 11 days of the 14-day period of the second shot, I had continuous headaches. And this second injection didn't seem to help my A.S. back pain."

• SJC...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 9, 2022

"I started Humira just over 6 months ago. Been on 40 mg every other week. Had some minor improvements to stiffness and pain after 2-3 months and tried to stay optimistic, but the last few months it only seems to help for a few days, if that. Then I had more flares, stiffness and fatigue, and more time in a wheelchair. I’m 26 years old. Just tired of missing out on life due to pain and fatigue. My ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is very active. Recent bloods showed low WBC still, so hoping I can try another TNF and feel better. I used to jog 2 hours a day before AS fully flared, and now I’d just be grateful to be able to go for walks without struggling to stand the next day. I’m also an artist, so hand stiffness takes that away from me too. I really don't like this condition. As far as side effects, none really, sleepiness the day after, and sometimes hot and cold, and bruising at the injection site, but otherwise, after the 5-10 minutes post-injection soreness, nothing awful."

• goo...
• August 17, 2020

"I took Humira for 4 months. The injection was quite painful until they changed me to the citrate-free one. I felt like I had a bad case of the flu for 3 days, and then it was better. I didn't notice that much difference in the pain, but the stiffness was better."

• Bar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 18, 2024

"It took over a year to diagnose me with AS. I was 55. By the point I was diagnosed, I could barely walk and was crying in the doctor's office. We tried many drugs but nothing was working until we tried Humira. Almost instant relief. I've been on Humira for 15 years now. I'm retired, golfing, motorcycling, and keeping very active. The only thing that bothers me is that when I was working, my copay was $5 due to AbbVie's Copay Assistance. Now I'm on a fixed income and retired on Medicare, AbbVie pulls that assistance."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 6, 2022

"I have been suffering from bilateral inflamed knees for 20+ years, on and off flares, including intermittent back and hip pain. All docs told me was that I had inflammatory arthritis and just needed to be managed with NSAIDs, exercise, diet, and weight loss. Recent episodes of higher inflammatory markers and uveitis led to the diagnosis of Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS). Started Humira 3 weeks ago, and knee swelling reduced quite a bit on day 4 after the 1st injection. Back and neck pain have reduced significantly too. Small prick and nausea have been the only side effects so far. The benefits outweigh the side effects by miles. Only concern is long-term use and fear of it losing efficacy."

• Bil...
• May 5, 2016

"They told me not to expect any results for at least 3 months. 36 hours after my first injection, I felt great. My worst symptoms had gone away, and the remaining symptoms are slowly going away."

• Owe...
• July 14, 2017

"I have had severe insomnia that is very possibly related to Humira."

• DDF...
• November 22, 2013

"Has worked wonders for my pain, but the injection hurts so bad. Its pain keeps making me jerk, and of course, I had to mess up my last injection."

• hhw...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 15, 2017

"Helped a bit, but not even close to being worth it, considering the very dangerous possible side effects, which may include death. Much better alternatives are now available without the high risk."

• Mik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2017

"Scared to take. Would rather live in pain than take a chance of getting cancer or dying from an infection caused by a cut or scratch."