Adalimumab and Headaches: What Users Say

• Hum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 12, 2019

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "Any negative ankylosing spondylitis experience I had before taking Humira was heaven compared to the awfulness Humira has caused me. There were zero positives for me while taking Humira. Even though I quit Humira a while ago, all of the negative symptoms Humira caused still continue. Now I have ankylosing spondylitis, daily headaches, extreme fatigue, constantly feel like I have the flu, way more back pain than before, constant vertigo, and psoriasis all over my scalp and jawline! I vomit a little bit in my mouth every time I see one of those ridiculous Humira commercials on TV. Humira was free for me thanks to the Canadian government and my insurance. I can’t imagine actually paying for this horrible drug. My heart goes out to anyone in the US that must pay out of pocket to play Russian roulette with their health by trying Humira. I wouldn’t use Humira again if someone paid me a million dollars! Absolutely the worst experience of my life."

• Reg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 17, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had RA after a bout of health issues, and finding out I had Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) from unknown causes. I guess the shock and complications from a lung biopsy pushed my body over the edge. I was started on Prednisone and Sulfasalazine, but got minimal relief. Due to the PF, doctors were reluctant to try biological drugs. I did try Orencia, but had side effects. Was placed on Enbrel, but no relief. I finally got Humira. I took the first dose and felt strange the next day, panicked. By the next day, my life was in utter chaos. I did find that if you're on Benzos, it blocks them, so I was in total withdrawal. I had to research that one. 4 weeks later I'm dealing with horrible headaches, depression, vertigo, tinnitus. I just pray this med gets out of my system soon. I read it may take 88-98 days to clear. Never again. No more biological meds. Prayers for all who are suffering!"

• Twi...
• May 4, 2013

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I began HUMIRA after 3 years of minimal control of my rheumatoid arthritis. I take methotrexate in addition. I am shocked at the quick control of my symptoms and am so happy that I am feeling so much better. I do have some headache and dizziness the next day... but it is so worth it. I highly recommend the self injections vs. the auto inject... there was a serious reduction in pain with the self injection."

• Hum...
• March 18, 2016

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I started taking Humira after the methotrexate became ineffective. I would never take this Humira again in my entire life. It began with headaches, which got worse every time I took the Humira. My energy level went down to nothing, and it did not help my RA at all. Now, this drug has given me severe eczema on my hands, feet, underarms, crotch, and in my ear canals. I have never been so miserable in my entire life. They can't help the eczema at all. I have gone off Humira for over 2 months, I'm flaring, and I still have the eczema. They tell me I might have it for life. Do not take this drug. I'd rather have RA pain than all these debilitating side effects. Funny, they never said a word about any of this."

• Cor...
• January 27, 2018

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I was diagnosed with RA 12 years ago at age 57. Was put on Arava with diclofenac, Plaquenil, and prednisone. What a combo! Became ineffective after a couple of years. Reumy put me on Humira - BEST thing that could have happened to me. Worked wonders, and I had no side effects to speak of. 6 years ago, I was taken off everything, as I had gone into COMPLETE REMISSION! I remained symptom and pain-free until about 3 months ago, when my pain and symptoms reappeared. My doctor had retired in the meantime, and my new doctor will not put me on Humira. Instead, I'm on methotrexate, which makes me feel dizzy, headaches, and I now have anemia. I will be seeking a new doctor who will put me back on Humira! It works!!"

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• Kim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 18, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I am a 57-year-old female, diagnosed with RA 29 years ago. I took Enbrel for 9 years, but began to have more frequent flares, so my rheumatologist switched me to Humira. I took the first injection 20 days ago and felt great until day 12, when I developed severe flu-like symptoms, with aches and pains, and had a significant rash over my entire body and face. It was like having a major RA flare plus an itchy rash and headache at the same time. I was prescribed a six-day dose of prednisone and 24-hour-a-day Benadryl. I had little improvement three days later and received a steroid shot, which was three days ago. Four days later, I still have significant overall weakness, a major headache, and injection site reaction from the initial and last injection."

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

For Psoriatic Arthritis "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."

• Sou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 17, 2015

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I have taken my first injection four days ago, and after half a day with just a runny nose and headache, I have become very unwell with such bad backache and pain under my shoulder blade, temperature, and nightmares/depression. I am feeling I may have to stop before the next one. Has anyone out there felt like this after and weighed up the stiffness to severe new pains?"

• Bre...
• May 17, 2015

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I have had Crohn's symptoms for about 10 months. I was in severe pain with the constant inflammation. I was vomiting, and the nausea was unbearable. I recently started Humira. After one week of starting my injections, I immediately noticed that I had no more pain. I am able to eat without feeling awful afterward. The only side effects I've experienced are headache and fatigue, but nothing too unmanageable."

• BMa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 2, 2016

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "This medication has been a miracle for me. After the loading dose, by day 5, it was like a light switch was toggled. I've been 95% better and feel normal again for the first time in 15 years (I'm 36). Nothing else worked, and I was miserable with a low quality of life. I still have to change my automatic way of thinking: scouting out nearest bathrooms, foregoing meals before social events, etc. I'm gradually branching out from my safe foods list (very small by the time I started Humira). The only side effect had been more severe allergies than usual and a few headaches here and there. The shots are extremely painful for me, but 10-15 seconds of extreme discomfort for 15 Crohn's-free days seems like a very fair trade. So thankful for this medication."

• CBa...
• January 28, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "18 years old; diagnosed with JRA in Jan. 2018. Take 6 pills of Methotrexate every week, one Humira shot every 2 weeks. Not the healthiest eater, notice when I do eat healthy major differences in effects. Take medications every Saturday night to sleep off pain. When I didn't care about diet, I felt extreme effects of a headache and pain in the stomach. Noticed that if I eat a lot of food that day, my effects aren't bad. Watch your diet!! With Humira, the first few months I noticed pain went away. Was so happy; now I think that it isn't helping anymore. Feet still ache because of cold weather, but the first few months I had no pain. I read reviews and the mention of tinnitus comes a lot. I thought ears may ring/hum because of wearing earbuds, but starting to believe that it may be caused by Humira. My doc told me I may need to take another med or Humira every week. After one year, I shouldn't be given more medication but instead see improvements."

• 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!"

• 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!"

• Fit...
• February 14, 2018

For Ankylosing Spondylitis "I took Humira for about 20 months. I was taken off it at my doctor's recommendation. I have developed psoriasis from this drug. Thanks, Humira. While on the drug, I still had stiffness, and I actually feel the same, if not better, now that I am Humira-free. Experienced headaches and extreme fatigue while on Humira, too. Presently just on Sulindac and feel so much better. The drug is outrageously expensive, and the Complete plan covers most. The company called me about nine times in regards to 2018 and checking my insurance plan. Interesting that they have not inquired as to why I am not taking the drug anymore. Perhaps they don’t want to add my Humira side effects to updated stats. Be careful what you put into your body!!"

• Geo...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 28, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Went on Humira in 2004 for 8 years, no side effects. RA went into remission for 4-5 years. Went back on it in July 2019 along with methotrexate. Worked for roughly 10 days at biweekly dose. Recently started weekly, hope to wean off the methotrexate. I apply ice to the injection site for 10 mins after. Headache after, gone the next morning."

• Ang...
• June 30, 2019

For Ulcerative Colitis "I've been on different forms of mesalamine for years, in addition to prednisone. I've been fighting to get off the steroids for the past two years, but it's been a losing battle. My doctor recommended Humira. After the initial dose, I felt great. I took my second dose a little over a week ago. My BMs haven't been great this week, and I saw some blood, but I'm once again seeming off the 'roids, so I blamed that. A few days after my last dose, I started feeling extremely lethargic and depressed. I've had a low-grade fever for days. On top of that, headaches that easily become migraines. If it was just that, I might have just chalked it up to coming off the prednisone, but the worst side effect is that my memory has been alarmingly bad. Now that I'm doing more research on the drug, I'm regretting trusting my doctor and not getting the facts myself. I'm not planning on taking the next dose."

• Phi...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 9, 2017

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "Humira is the third medicine from this group that I have taken, the other two being Enbrel and Cimzia. It is fair to say that for me, it has also been the best, but unfortunately, I am going to have to stop taking it for the following. Initially, I had a minor but long-lasting mild headache on the day of taking, this was followed by a urinary infection possibly caused by the Humira, but the reason I must stop is that I now have tinnitus. This was mild hissing at first, so I tolerated it, but now, and after each injection, it gets measurably worse. So, me and Humira must regrettably part company, a great shame because it did/does make a very large improvement to my R. A."

• Abb...
• April 27, 2017

For Crohn's Disease "I've had Crohn's for about 6 years (age 25) and only 1 surgery so far. I started Humira about 7 months ago and was so happy with how well it worked and how affordable! I went from probably my worst flare-up ever to feeling 100% every day. However, I have been experiencing the most random side effects from it. I'm seeing multiple different doctors right now for many different things and still don't know if anything is actually wrong, but it sure feels like something isn't right. Some of the side effects I've experienced: severe skin rash on chest and back, sudden urge to urinate all the time, fatigue, headaches, muscle soreness, arms and legs easily going numb, and sweating a lot. There's more, but I'll spare you."

• 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."

• Pla...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 7, 2024

For Plaque Psoriasis "Been on this for about 6 months now. Can’t praise it enough. Wonder drug. Suffered from psoriasis for over 40 years. Tried every treatment over the years. This is the first thing that has completely cleared my skin. No side effects. No nausea, no headaches, etc. Just have to be careful around folks with viruses, etc., as the immune system is low. Saw improvement within 2 weeks. I hope I can stay on this forever."

• Cla...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 16, 2018

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was diagnosed with Crohn's in 2015. I started on Pentasa, which helped me for the first 6 months. I was having 4-5 loose stools every day and horrible abdominal pain. The quality of my life was going down. I lost 25 lbs at that time. In the beginning of this year, I decided to start Humira. I can say that now, after 9 months of taking it, my quality of life improved tremendously. I was able to gain my 25 lbs back, no pain, no diarrhea. The only thing I have to deal with now are the side effects. My headaches started a week ago, and I am a little worried about it. Has anybody used Humira for longer than 4 years? Also, has anybody suffered from heart failure as a side effect of Humira?"

• Ana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 8, 2015

For Psoriasis "Today, October 8th, 2015, has made one week since I have been on Humira. I am so pleased with the results, my skin is already starting to clear up. I'm so excited to see what it will look like in a month. I have suffered from psoriasis for over 10 years, and for the first time, I have hope that I will feel normal again. I have rated it a 9 for only one reason: the medicine burns a little, but overall, not as bad as I thought it would be, being I have to give the shot to myself. I have only noticed a small side effect, every now and then, I get headaches, but nothing I can't tolerate. Today, I have taken my second dose, and I feel fine- not one symptom yet. I can't wait to see the future, where I can finally go out without hiding under long sleeves and pants."

• Jen...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2015

For Psoriasis "I am 38 yrs old and have had psoriasis since I was 12. Years of creams, lotions, and UV treatments. Many years of 'remission' and minimal areas affected and used occasional tanning to treat. Just dealt with it for many years. Last year in March, I tried Humira. After a week, I started to clear. After 2-3 weeks, I was completely clear. BUT I had also developed night sweats, irregular heartbeat, extreme flashing, alternate constant pain in my abdominal area, no appetite, headaches - just a few of many side effects. I stopped taking it in May and had many of the side effects gradually subside. Menstrual cycle has become intermittently prefaced by extreme pain for up to a week. Psoriasis flared so bad that almost a year later and it's just starting to lessen."

• Ber...
• January 18, 2020

For Crohn's Disease, Maintenance "I was on Imuran for 30 years and symptom-free. Doctor switched me to this and have been ill since starting back and abdominal pain and headaches, a lot of pressure to go on this makes me think doctors get compensated for prescribing."