Humira for Psoriatic Arthritis User Reviews

• Ana...
• August 12, 2016

"I suffered from psoriasis for about 5 years and then started with severe pain in my fingers, then my wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and finally my toes. I had no idea what was wrong with me, and I literally thought I was dying. I was only 46 years old. I was finally diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I started Humira, and within 2 weeks, I was pain-free and have been since. I have been on Humira for over 2 years now. I have not suffered from any side effects at all. Humira also cleared up my skin about 90%, and the only symptom I still have from the PA is fatigue. Before Humira, I could not throw a football with my kids or catch a football, I was in so much pain. Now I can throw a ball, ride a bike, play basketball, whatever I want to do."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 8, 2012

"I have been experiencing extreme pain since 2009 from psoriatic arthritis. I tried methotrexate, but no luck. Finally, I started Humira 72 hours ago and already feel no pain whatsoever. It was a lot faster than I ever expected. The injection is not bad at all, a very small needle with a slight sting, but I'll take a 5-minute sting over the pain I had any day. I have not had any side effects yet. I will edit this post if I do in the future. I found these posts very helpful with my decision to start Humira, so I thought I would return the favor."

• A M...
• July 5, 2013

"My son was diagnosed with Juvenile Psoriatic Arthritis when he was in fourth grade. By the time he was finally diagnosed, he was in a wheelchair and unable to move most of his major joints... even his jaw was affected due to the severe arthritis. Today, I can say thanks to God, Humira, and monthly visits to Shriners Hospital, he has graduated from High School and is now in REMISSION!"

• Anonymous
• January 20, 2012

"I'm 22 years old, and I was only 19 when I got diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. At first, I didn't know what was happening to me. I suddenly couldn't do my daily exercise because my knees, feet, arms, fingers, back, and neck started to hurt so bad that it was difficult for me to get out of bed, not to mention getting down the stairs. Every rheumatologist appointment was turning into a torture session with the cortisone injections and liquid being removed from my knees. Methotrexate did not do me good, so my doctor finally decided to start filling papers for my Humira injection. The 1st injection was last week, and WOW! is all I got to say. I've never been so happy in my life. My mornings are painless, and now I work 10 hours a day without any Tylenol or prednisone."

• Spa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 21, 2016

"I was put on Humira when I was 25, and I am now currently 31. The first thing I noticed was that it cleared up my plaque psoriasis very quickly. My nails and scalp looked normal within 3-4 weeks. I have PsA in my spine, ankles, knees, and hands. I was having trouble walking and experienced chronic fatigue, which caused me to gain 20 lbs very quickly. I would fall asleep from exhaustion after getting myself showered and dressed. After Humira took effect, I had my energy back. I could exercise again, and I was back to doing the things I enjoyed. I still experience flare-ups (mostly due to stress), and I still have difficulty sitting for long periods of time, but this drug was life-changing. Vicodin helps me with the flare-ups."

• DEN...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 13, 2016

"I have had psoriasis for 32 long years on my scalp, knees, elbows, back, sides, and rear end area, and have tried all the prescription creams, steroid injections, salt water, and all the home remedies. Some helped, but I never got down below 20% coverage. For the past 2 years, I have had psoriatic arthritis in my toes, elbows, back, hips, and neck. On June 24, 2016, I injected myself with Humira, within 2 days, my pain throughout my body had gone down to a pain level of 1 to 2 from an 8 on a scale of 10. I have not seen anything like it! I have taken my second dose and the pain level is around 1. I was blaming my pain and stiffness on old age, I feel better than I have in 20 years. My psoriasis has lost all the scale and is smooth."

• Cre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 10, 2014

"I have had psoriasis since I was 15 and mild psoriatic arthritis since I was 20. Now, four years later, my psoriasis started to flare up after nearly a three-and-a-half-year remission due to treatment and developed in all the old places. With it came severe psoriatic arthritis. Over the course of four months, I went from moving normally to being in severe, nearly constant pain and walking with a cane. I went to my dermatologist to see about any treatments, and she prescribed me Humira. The day after the first two pen treatments, I was walking with little pain, and within a week, I didn't need a cane anymore. So far, the only side effect I have had was a mild headache after the injection. Humira essentially gave me my life back."

• Spa...
• October 21, 2015

"I was diagnosed with pain in 2004 after trying methotrexate (horrible drug which caused blackouts). I am now 37. I was prescribed Humira. I had severe plaque psoriasis and limited mobility. After the initial fear, the injections were very easy to administer. I inject into my tummy, occasionally I get one that stings. This drug has saved my life. After the first injection, I noticed improvement with pain, and after 6 weeks my psoriasis had cleared up. I was able to take my daughter swimming after hiding behind my clothes for years. If you read the leaflet, there are hideous side effects, and I feel sad that a lot of people experience these. I have taken it for 3 years, and it has improved my quality of life."

• Pol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 15, 2014

"Since being on Humira, I am a whole new person. It was hard being diagnosed at 29 with a new baby to take care of. I could barely get out of bed, open a jar, or change a diaper. I do have headaches often, fatigue, and slight mood swings, but it's worth it. I have my life back."

• Dav...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 13, 2020

"Fantastic response, no side effects except for the occasional bruise. I thought it would take a few weeks/months to really notice a difference. Reality was a big impact after only a few days. One of those cliché ‘feel I have been given my life back’ moments. I really have very little signs of any disease. I was very concerned about risks, but strangely I have not even had a common cold in 2 years!"

• PAs...
• November 6, 2009

"Was using HumiraPen for a few years. At first I was thrilled because it cleared up the psoriasis almost overnight. Made everything else more bearable within reason except for lupus and fibromyalgia. But... in 12/08, I had a small boil that was handled as needed. One week later, I was found unconscious and in septic shock. That boil blew a 4-inch hole in my side. Hospital records talked of Necrotizing Fasciitis/MRSA! My rheumatologist told me that the Humira suppressed my system so much that I had no warning of such a severe infection. I had no inflammation, fever, or symptoms of any kind. BE CAREFUL... watch for the smallest skin lesion."

• Anonymous
• November 16, 2011

"After a year of misdiagnosis, I was eventually told I had Psoriatic Arthritis. It hit me quickly, and within a year, I was in constant pain in my chest, hands, and feet that prevented me from walking far. I was 43 at the time. After years of NSAIDs, I was put on Humira. What a difference! I am 99% pain-free, and the swelling has all but disappeared, all within a month or so of taking it-a miracle for me."

• ste...
• May 24, 2014

"I have used this for over a year and a half. At first, it worked fine, however, now after long-term use, I have started to have some heart issues. I'm only 53, have had a good heart. The last shot I took put me down for 3 days. The second day after, I was hardly able to walk and had bad heart palpitations along with a high fever, all of which are side effects. I have an appointment coming up and will not take another shot."

• Anonymous
• February 1, 2011

"I have been using Humira for over two years now. My skin has cleared up, and my joints are a lot better than what they were. I have had psoriasis all my life, but it was something that I just had to live with. So now, after 36 years, to be able to move around without having to hover after myself is a blessing in itself. I went swimming with my husband and children a couple of months ago. For the first time ever, I was able to put on a swimsuit. It just goes to show that the things some people take for granted are the things that we struggle to do all our lives. Humira has given me my life back."

• Efr...
• May 17, 2015

"A severe joint/muscle pain was completely cleared after the first injection. No further joint inflammation occurred; the affected joints remained as deformed as they were but without any pain. A widespread scalp psoriasis was cleared during the first two months. Subsequent occurrences of psoriasis were very mild and short."

• Les...
• February 14, 2010

"Humira has literally been a miracle drug for me. I started a little over a month ago with the spring-loaded self-injecting pen. My psoriatic arthritis manifests similarly to ankylosing spondylitis and it usually takes me several hours in the morning to get ready. I also had psoriasis covering my scalp since I was 15 or so. Notice I said 'had.' My psoriasis is almost entirely gone, and I get up in the morning the same as any other person. I also had a pronounced stoop forward, and my girlfriend was in tears of joy last night after we both noticed I was standing almost completely straight."

• cor...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 8, 2016

"I have had moderate psoriasis for about 15 years, which I've managed with topicals. It started to get worse along with me developing psoriatic arthritis all of a sudden. I decided it was time to call on the big guns. This stuff is pretty great! My psoriasis cleared up in about a month, and my PsA was gone pretty much instantly! The injections are a little uncomfortable, but if you let it warm up a bit and learn the tricks, it's not so bad. Small sacrifice, really. I've had no side effects other than I am a little tired after the shot, so I take it right before bed. So glad to have this medicine! Hope it keeps working for many years to come."

• Mic...
• January 27, 2016

"I had an awful time with Methotrexate side effects, but the disease went into remission, and I stopped. Two years later, it was back, and this time we tried Humira. The psoriasis cleared up after about 8 weeks, and the arthritis inflammation disappeared. It's been about a year today with no side effects other than fatigue at the end of the workday. I'm 61 and feel I can work another 5 years. Without Humira, I don't think I could. Great drug, but too damned expensive. Bring on the generics."

• Ben...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 5, 2013

"I am 23, got diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis last year. I had been misdiagnosed with a systemic yeast infection because of the psoriasis and took 10 weeks of antifungal prescription medicine, which didn't help, of course, because that's not what I had. I went to a different doctor, and he sent me to a rheumatoid specialist, and from there he introduced and prescribed me Humira. I took my first injection, and the next morning I woke up, and my joint pain, swelling, and psoriasis greatly reduced."

• Mot...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 17, 2016

"Saved my life. Saved my marriage. Had psoriasis and P. arthritis since grade school. Covered me from head to toe, 80%. Started Humira at 41. Been on it now for over 3 years. The only side effects I notice are that my shoulder no longer has me crying in tears over the pain, and my psoriasis is gone. Totally gone. Strangely, however, in the past year and a half, the areas I once had persistent psoriasis have now turned into freckled patches. Some of the freckles are fairly dark. But I'll take some freckles over the hell I've lived with most of my life and make the choice to start Humira all over again. Saved me for sure. Don't even know what I would do if I lost my Humira. Shots are no big deal."

• Ski...
• April 15, 2014

"I fell down quickly when the arthritis part of the psoriasis hit me at 50. I had always had bad nails, and I developed psoriasis while taking Alpha Interferon at 40. At first, I took methotrexate 25 mg/week by mouth. That was a disaster. I went to subcutaneous, and that worked very well, however, after a year, I began to get sick with the flu or such. It lasted 60 days, and I had to get off the methotrexate and nearly wound up in the ICU. From a cold or flu! Got better, then 45 days later, got sick again. Thanks to the ACA, I have insurance and am able to take Humira. It works pretty well on the psoriasis and also works pretty well on the arthritis. But, after several months, my feet are getting sore, and my right wrist is weakening."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 19, 2012

"Changed my life for the better in terms of mobility, but very prone to picking up viruses, had several infections after a hand operation as a result and get nausea, upset tummy, and more tired than I used to, but I'm walking and have low pain levels, so worth it. My psoriasis is nearly gone."

• PsA...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 7, 2014

"I have been on Humira for over 7 years. I first tried Remicade in 2001, and it was a miracle. I have had psoriasis since age 14 and psoriatic arthritis since 1994, but symptoms of the arthritis since 1989. I was always a runner but gave that up in 1998 until Remicade. Remicade worked great for a few years, but eventually your own body builds up antibodies to it, and it stops working. I have tried 4 other biologic medicines but always come back to Humira: one shot a week. Over the years, it has stopped working as well, but I notice the difference when I do not take my shot. Still pretty miserable, but still able to work full time and take care of my family. The IL-17 inhibitors are coming out soon, and they look very promising."

• kot...
• July 10, 2010

"Humira has given me my life back. It is truly a miracle drug. Since I have been using the pen, it has been a lot easier to give myself the shot. It starts to take effect quickly for me, and I feel like my age: 28. Without it, I have trouble getting on the toilet, walking at all, engaging in anything active is too exhausting and very painful. I will be on this medication for the rest of my life, that is until they find a cure!"

• JHC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 19, 2014

"I've injected three Humira pen needles so far, been on the treatment for six weeks. I've had psoriatic arthritis for 13 years. Humira began clearing up the psoriasis on my elbows after the second injection. My scalp is beginning to flake a bit less. My actual arthritis feels about the same so far. My rheumatologist wants me to stay on Humira at least 6 months to try it on my psoriasis, as long as I don't have an adverse reaction to it. It took about six weeks beforehand, after I got the written prescription for my BCBS insurance to approve the twice monthly medicated needles. It's around $5k per month for the two needles, but I pay only $90 month co-pay after the coverage. I will report back here again if I have further significant recovery. I'm hopeful."