Humira and Joint Pain: What Users Say

• RN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 22, 2016

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "Severe back pain while sleeping started over a year ago. I assumed it was work-related, so I started looking for a new job. Then the foot/ankle pain and joint swelling came. I was in terrible pain and could barely walk around at my new job. Finally, after seeing my PCP multiple times, I went to ortho. She referred me to a rheumatologist. I thought I was a healthy 30+ year old, but after 6 months of blood tests, X-rays, MRIs, and multiple follow-ups, I now have the official diagnosis. I noticed an immediate difference as soon as I took Humira. I have had 3 doses, and symptoms are gone. Although my feet get sore just as I'm due for the next treatment. I'm worried about the long-term side effects, but for now, I'm just happy without pain."

• RA ...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 21, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started Humira injectable twice a week in conjunction with Methotrexate and Mobic since March of this year with no side effects, but no felt benefits either. I had to stop due to surgery and restarted once weekly three weeks ago and been having severe joint pain since I restarted Humira, requiring a short course of cortisone. Resumed Mobic a week ago. Joint pain continues, and just haven't felt myself since I started Humira. The pain wakes me up at night, and I am just miserable. This is no quality of life. Thank you all for sharing your experiences, it is a comfort to know other people understand your symptoms and that you are not alone! I don't think this is the best medicine for me. :("

• Ski...
• April 15, 2014

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• Jus...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• May 18, 2022

For Hidradenitis Suppurativa "Humira quite literally degraded my quality of life horribly. Seven years since I stopped taking it. It ruined my body. Days where my feet have felt like they're going to shatter from joint pain, my lymphatic system is crap now, I've developed lipedema and lipolymphedema, psoriasis, rapid decline in vision since stopping it. My joints in my hands swell and throb like my grandma's did in her 90s. Headaches, strange skin irritation completely unrelated to anything known. They can't explain it. I'm in my early 40s now, but my body acts as if it's over 80. I was told that 40 years from when taking it, there's an extremely high chance that I will get cancer. The small amount of relief Humira provides is not worth the quality of life that was sacrificed in the promises they claim Humira offers. The headaches, the pain and zapped feeling for 3 to 5 days after each injection was for what? The body of someone in their 80s since they were in their 30s. DON'T BUY INTO THE HUMIRA HYPE! PLEASE!"

• Sal...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 18, 2015

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I've not been on Humira for long, for about 4 months, but for me it has not helped with anything. Sure, I might get a little less pain every now and then, but I still feel like I'm being torn apart from the inside out after I eat or when I try to sleep. I'm experiencing many side effects which aren't pleasant. A rare one which I have is being on my period for 2 months, coming off it for a week or two then it coming back on! I still get stomach pain, nausea, joint pain, soreness under my ribs, dry mouth and trouble swallowing, feeling lightheaded, night sweats, trouble sleeping and much more that my consultant decided to look right past and keep me on this damn thing! I had higher hopes for this, I'm quite disappointed to say the least."

• Kni...
• June 17, 2016

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I've been on Humira for almost 2 years. I feel it works pretty well, I do notice some joint pain before it rains and the day before my shot, but my doctor says that can be due to damage already done. For anyone considering starting it, my experience was this: I typically have plaque psoriasis on my scalp and knees. When I first started the shots, I had an itchy 2-3 day rash at the injection site (this was resolved by having me ice the shot site first, I recommend this to everyone). I also had guttate psoriasis spread over my thighs and sides, which thankfully went away after 4 months, it was painful and snagged on my clothes. It would have been a deal breaker if it didn't go away, but it did, thankfully."

• Jin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 28, 2019

For Hidradenitis Suppurativa "Was on this in May 2019. Took it for 2 months. No improvement for my Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), but I started getting severe joint pain in my knees and left hand. The specialist was very adamant it wasn't Humira. I went off of it and reported it as an adverse event to the company AbbVie. I stopped taking it as I didn't feel right being on it. Trust your gut instinct, if you're not feeling right taking it, then stop. I still have days where my knee joints ache severely, which sucks because I stand all day at work. I wish I never started Humira. I had no issues prior to taking this medication."

• Pat...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 28, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "When I first started using Humira, I was so happy because it cleared my skin and scalp up a lot, but not completely. Now, after being on Humira for about 8 months, I'm having more and more side effects, and the one that scares me the most is trouble breathing. Within 24 hours of giving my shot, I wake up in the middle of the night and throughout the day with difficulty breathing. I also have itching. I think the drug was great at first, but now it's scaring me, especially now that all these side effects are happening and also my joints are real sore - beware of what you're injecting in your body before it may be too late."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 18, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "Used Humira for about a year and a half before I stopped. It had a good effect on the Crohn's disease, but the side effects were terrible. Severe headaches, muscle and joint pain, skin rash, and fatigue were some of the worst. Although it was very easy to take, just using an autoinjector every second week."

• Ela...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 13, 2017

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have had psoriasis my whole childhood since I was 5 years old, currently 18 years old. My psoriasis was so severe that I had patches over my whole body. Last summer, I finally found a doctor in my area who got me on Humira for psoriatic arthritis. For the first 8 months, my psoriasis was completely gone, and I had no pain. But recently, for a few months now, my hands, feet, elbows, wrist, knees, and ankles stiffen up and are in excruciating pain. Some days I can't even walk, get out of bed, or just do my normal activities. I'm going to see a rheumatologist in two months, but I don't think I can make it till then because every day I'm suffering from so much joint pain. I thought Humira would help me, but instead, it's hurting me!"

• Sme...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 6, 2020

For Plaque Psoriasis "Horrible stuff - made me sicker than a dog. Fatigue, joint pain, and upper respiratory infections that I couldn’t get rid of - never had issues like that before. Every time I would do an injection, I would break out in lesions. About the time they would clear up, it was time for another injection. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone unless you just enjoy feeling like death warmed over 24/7. Since I stopped this med, I feel SO much better - so far the psoriasis hasn’t returned, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. What is mysterious is why the medical folks prescribing this junk are so unaware and in denial of the side effects."

• Hil...
• January 19, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was over 30% covered in psoriasis and suffered joint pain and swelling. I could see it working on my skin within a week and was completely clear of any sores in 3 weeks. I still suffer arthritic pain, but very happy my skin is clear for the first time in over 10 years."

• Dak...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 17, 2022

For Ulcerative Colitis "I was hospitalized and diagnosed with severe UC in 2016. I started on Humira 40 mg biweekly. Absolutely magical for me! I switched to the citrate-free version when it became available, and this made it even better (no more injection pain). I had normal bowel movements, felt great (just minor joint pain). Had a few flares over the next 5 years. Nothing a course of oral prednisone couldn't fix. Then last spring, I started noticing TONS of mucus in BM (some BM were pure mucus and no stool). C-reactive protein normal, but fecal calprotectin off the charts (1700). Doctor checked for antibodies to Humira, and sadly, my body is now making antibodies to the Humira. I am devastated. I wish I could go back in time to when it was a miracle drug for me. I literally had no side effects, and there was nothing I couldn't do or eat. Now we are trying dosing with the Humira once weekly and have added methotrexate 15 mg weekly (which makes me feel like rubbish, but that is a whole other review, right?)"

• Aun...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2020

For Plaque Psoriasis "Humira is awful stuff. Muscle and joint pain when I never had it before. Upper respiratory infections that won’t clear up. Bruising-like big bruises that have no specific cause. Caused breakouts/flare-ups. Fatigue. And this happened consistently every time I would do an injection. This last injection time the upper respiratory infection started on December 19th, and I still have it on New Year’s Eve. I wouldn’t recommend this med to anyone. The only upside is the Humira people are very nice and helpful."

• Mar...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 26, 2022

For Psoriasis "My 30-year-old son has been on this for 3-4 years, worked great, but then he got a random fever that lasted 12 days! Took him to the hospital and they could not figure out what was causing his fever! I say Humira! He also has developed joint pain, loss of vision, and hearing! Do NOT take this!"

• wor...
• October 26, 2016

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "Have been on Humira for 2 months. Discontinued Endicort as MRI showed it was not working, although I felt good. Within weeks, got very sick again with fatigue, joint pain, and abdominal pain. I had to go off work. Gastro doctor prescribed prednisone for 5 weeks to buy me more time for the Humira to start working, which was very effective for the pain. Have just finished the prednisone 5 days ago, so am waiting for my Crohn's symptoms to return. So far, so good, but my energy level is low."

• RHK...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 11, 2025

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Pretty good experience so far. 2+ years. Having right arm elbow pain and stiffness right now. After 2 days, getting a little better. All in all, much better than prior. Had attacks that confined me to a chair for a week at a time."