Humira and Swelling: What Users Say

• Jod...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 15, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA (rheumatoid arthritis) about 4 years ago, and my rheumatologist started me on Xeljanz, and it was a miracle drug. I was 100% pain-free. Unfortunately, after a few years, it wasn’t working anymore, and she decided to start me on Humira and Methotrexate, which isn’t doing anything for me. I’ve been on the Humira and Methotrexate for about 2 months now, and I’m so discouraged because I’m not getting any relief at all. My feet are swollen, burning, and I can hardly walk. I think I’m going to continue this for another month, and if nothing, I’m going to talk to my doctor about a different medication."

• ree...
• May 29, 2009

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I have been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis for several years. My condition got so bad I couldn't walk, undress myself, get in or out of bed unaided, and didn't sleep through the night without pain. Tried several drugs that had no effect, and the joints in my back, ribs, and pelvis continued to fuse. Then I started Humira 4 months ago, and I haven't had a single bit of pain anywhere since. The only problem I have with it is the injection site is very swollen, hot, and itchy, and the drug itself can give you quite a sting, but I can now lead a normal active life. So for me, the side effects are well worth it, but I am concerned about the long-term effects of this drug."

• 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!"

• Kat...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 8, 2021

For Hidradenitis Suppurativa "I've been on Humira for about 4 years. It completely took my HS away, and I was a Hurley stage 2/3 depending on the part of my body and was close to surgery to remove the glands in my armpits when Humira was approved. It had been a lifesaver for me. Recently, it's started becoming less effective. Which is not the drug's fault, as our bodies can get used to medications and stop working as well. I'm hoping that it isn't the case. For the first time in about 3 years, I have 3 abscesses in my groin area: 1 open and draining crater in my upper thigh by my pubic bone, another inflamed one that is coming to a head closer to my inner thigh, and one directly on my groin on my panty line that's not even close to a head and just swollen and inflamed like crazy. All on one side. It's devastating. Sitting hurts. Walking hurts. Moving hurts. Fingers crossed it's just a fluke and it's not coming back regularly."

• Tho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I tried Humira, and my knees got worse. The swelling would come and go, especially when I ate high fat, but when I took Humira, they stayed inflamed and would not bend. Sure enough, after it was out of my system, my knees started to straighten out, thank goodness. A low-fat and really nutritious diet with exercise like walking or a stationary bike made a huge improvement. You have to keep the joints moving even if it hurts. If you can only move a little, then move a little, THEN ADD to it and keep moving and make a plan. You can heal: low-fat, no oil, whole food, and EXERCISE! God bless you!"

• Tho...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 24, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I tried Humira, and my knees got worse. The swelling would come and go, especially when I ate high fat, but when I took Humira, they stayed inflamed and would not bend. Sure enough, after it was out of my system, my knees started to straighten out, thank goodness. A low-fat and really nutritious diet with exercise like walking or a stationary bike made a huge improvement. You have to keep the joints moving even if it hurts. If you can only move a little, then move a little, THEN ADD to it and keep moving and make a plan. You can heal: low-fat, no oil, whole food, and EXERCISE! God bless you!"

• Mel...
• April 19, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've been on Humira for around six months. Here lately, I've noticed a rash that itches super bad. It started on my face, where the left side of my face was swollen and hard with itching bad. Please, if anyone has had this happen, please let me know."

• Not...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 28, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "RA and UC. Injection is awful, painful, and leaves horrific rash and bruising. On Humira, RA has not improved, in fact, it has gotten worse. Literally had to get a depo and Toradol injection today for bad inflammation and excruciating joint pain. The nausea is beyond manageable, and the headaches! Side effects are killing me. I really wish I could upload pics of my injection sites."

• Jak...
• April 12, 2017

For Ulcerative Colitis "Humira ruined my life. I now have horrible arthritis that wakes me up screaming in pain when I move my knees. My joints are swelling and painful. I have also lost control of my left bicep, it went dead and no longer works. I also have horrible nerve pain, especially around my elbows. This medicine caused so many new problems for me that I never had before taking it. I just had mild to moderate UC before taking this. I'm now in pain all the time. I failed Lialda and Remicade before this."

• Ang...
• June 1, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "In response to Rick. I started Humira and had good results. Then needed to come off it because I injured tendons in my foot. When I restarted Humira, I have not achieved the same results. My joints are red, swollen, and remain in a lot of pain."

• Dan...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 12, 2025

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Since starting it, I have had significant shortness of breath, an increase in heart failure. I went from Grade I left ventricular diastolic dysfunction to Grade III. More leg swelling and shortness of breath. I am now off it."

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

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "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."

• Joh...
• July 5, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "I have ulcerative colitis and Crohn's and have an ileostomy bag. Humira saved my life. I was so skeptical at first from the possible side effects. I only had some red patches and swelling after that shot, but it cured my abscess after a few weeks. I used Humira for a year or so and asked my doctor if I could stop since I felt good. I have not been on Humira for a year and have had no abscess or symptoms."

• Gin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 5, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "My doctor gave me Humira's first shot in July 2019, 160 mg, then 2 weeks later 80 mg, then 2 weeks later another 80 mg. After the 3rd shot, I felt severe heating in my upper body, then a 20 lb weight gain, swelling all over my body. The main side effect is numbness in my hands. It is the worst medicine. Then my doctor stopped this and said this medicine causes heart failure! She sent me for a heart echo quickly, which shows 2 valves leaking and right ventricular enlargement."

• Anonymous
• May 10, 2010

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been using Humira since October of 2009. I had a lot of swelling in my joints after the injection and redness, swelling, and bruising. I have not noticed much difference. I have started not only the cartilage degeneration, but it is affecting my bone also. We are about to try Simponi. Hopefully, this will work."

• nux...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 11, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "All but one finger on both hands was in excruciating pain to use. Couldn't snap, buckle, or dress, all daily activities needing fingers were impossible. The pain left after the loading dose of 80 mg. But the enthesitis in my right hip is killing me today, a couple of days ago, it was my heels. But I can use my fingers. It has been a month, and I do feel swelling beginning again in my fingers. I'm upset that it seems to have done the good it was going to do, and enthesitis and sloppy ligaments are making it hard to walk. I would like to try Stelara myself."

• juk...
• October 17, 2009

For Psoriatic Arthritis "Experienced allergy symptoms from this (itchy eyes, sinus pain/running nose, etc.). Also had what the doctor called an allergic reaction to the shot on my leg. Started swelling up and got bigger than the palm of my hand. Red, horrible-looking, and it hurt to touch."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 1, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "I have Crohn's, and my doctor gave me Humira 160 mg first shot and after 2 weeks 80 mg, then 2 weeks another 80 mg. This medicine caused me so many problems: swelling, weight gain quickly, and heart problem. My upper body during that treatment was on fire. Finally, my doctor said to stop this med, and I want you to see a cardiologist. Worst medicine."

• 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."

• Suk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2020

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I have been on Humira less than a year. After the second injection, that evening I ended up getting horribly sick with a sinus infection. They ran everything from flu to COVID 2x and all came back negative. Couldn’t shake a low-grade fever. Then a derecho blew through and took out the power and I lost my next dose. Couldn’t get ahold of my doctor to see what they wanted me to do about the injection, but no response, so I stopped. I felt worse but better at the same time. Started Humira back up again and now I have been experiencing numbness, tingling, and swelling from my elbow down. I can’t grip things correctly due to the loss of correct sensations. I can hardly sleep, no NSAID seems to help. Not sure what to do because the feeling started on one side over a week ago and they only upped my steroid to help for a short time. Now I’m feeling it all on both sides. Help me!"

• Suz...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 24, 2018

For Plaque Psoriasis "So far, so good. Been on Humira for 4 weeks. I had plaque on the soles of my feet, which have cleared about 25%. I had tried Otezla in the past with no clearing at all. Still adding steroid cream and laser, but swelling, itching, redness, and plaques all show improvement. The injection is not that bad, just stings for a few seconds. I use the pre-filled syringe, not the pen, as people have reviewed it as less painful. I was hesitant to go on this due to potential complications. But my quality of life is so improving every day that it's been well worth it. Look forward to continued improvement in the next few months."

• Dor...
• January 24, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Today is the first time that I have had a side effect. I've been on it for 5 months for RA. I have a rash at the injection site, and swelling burns a little too, just like a bee sting. But this doesn't bother me. I think I might not have left it out of the fridge long enough, not stopping it for anything. Helps with my stiffness."

• luc...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 4, 2018

For Psoriatic Arthritis "I was on the med about a year and a half ago. I loved it - cleared everything up! I felt good and confident! I did, however, get in a car crash shortly after the medication was kicking in. That being said, I was given medication to bring down inflammation and pain in my freshly injured spine, hip, and pelvic bone. When it came time for me to do my injections, the pain pills I was on interfered with my injections, and I started getting a large swollen circle around the injection site. My dermatologist quickly pulled me off of it, and it's all come back 10x worse. I remember waking up every day more disappointed and angry because having this disease is already obnoxiously itchy and painful, but going from having nothing to a big breakout makes you go crazy, and it felt worse than ever. I guess I was too used to having a good thing."