Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Anti TNF and other biological medications Started Humira

I started humira 2 months ago and haven't seen any improvement yet. My pain use to be mostly in my back with only minor aches in my chest (where my ribs connect) and in my legs from time to time. Lately, pain in my legs has been more frequent and lasted for longer periods of time. I'm not sure if being stressed with classes has contributed to this and/or the medication isn't helping. I'm not really sure of any specific question right now, but just thought I'd post in case anyone read this and had some input.

Are you HBL-27 - or +? If you are neg, the chances of a TNF working are slim to none. Are you a true AS or an all over the board spondylopathy? Theses types of patients do not seem to do as well with TNFs as well.

I am HLA-B27 neg. I have AS and RA based on type of damage to by spine and other joints. Some fusing in the upper neck and SI.

Humira works for me but in a slightly different way. it's not that it does not work at all. With Humira my overall pain levels are much lower in my spine. I get less swelling in my knees and SI. It still takes Diclofenac to decrease the pain and swelling in all of my affected areas to make life tolerable.

So maybe because I am HLA-B27 Neg or I have RA too. Humira and NSAIDs work on different areas of my body.

So getting back to your question.
I do not think you can assume that Humira is not working just because one part of your body is causing you problems. You might need other treatments along with the Humira to get your condition under control. Check with your doctor.

Please do not assume as others have suggested that if you are HLA-B27 neg. Humira will not work for you. I have been tested three times over two years and all tests came back the same and Humira does work for me. They were getting ready to send me home to go blind because I no longer had any treatment options for Iritis/Uvitis. I am allergic to steroids and a steroid responder so they could no longer treat my condition. Because of Humira I have my vision back and it does work on other selected areas.

Also, do not assume that because one Anti-TNF drug does not work none of them will. If you look at Megan's posts only one drug works for her while the others don't. So maybe your doctor can try something different.

You can also try NSD. I've had limited success but others here have have had great success.

One last thing to add is 2 months for some people may not be enough time.

OH! one more thing to add. Even on Humira you can still have flares. They should not be as bad as not being on the medication though.

Tim

My husband is on Humira, well he's been on and off it for a while now but when he started at first and when he starts again, it takes him a good 2 - 3 months to notice any benefit, after that time the improvements happen quickly. Don't give up yet.

Hello,

Whether you are HLA-B27 neg. or pos., has nothing to do with success or failure of biologic drugs. And it also means nothing as far as an AS diagnosis. It's just "one" genetic link indicator.

I am HLA-B27 neg. and tried Remicade and failed. I have been on Humira for just over a year and it works about 70% for me. (That has made a huge difference in my life.) I also take an NSAID twice a day and some pain meds here and there. It took 3 months for Humira to begin working for me, so don't give up too soon. I stuck with Remicade for 9 months before throwing in the towel, but, at least, I gave it a good chance to work. I don't have to now wonder "what if I'd waited a little longer?".

All the best,
Jessie

When enbrel started wearing off on me, I tried out humira. I did a 6 week trial, and I didn't see much of a difference between humira and my declining enbrel experience, so my doc put me back on enbrel. He doesn't think I'm a humira responder. However, when I initially went on enbrel I was nearly pain free - it was amazing. So don't let your response on this drug make you think you won't do well on another anti-tnf. There is hope.

Hi there, my name is leah, i havent been on here for quite a while but i read your post and really wanted to reply. Im 22 and started humiraabout 2 months ago. I suffer with back pain and chest pain especially. I still take a high dose of NSAID's and steriods but about 2 weeks ago i felt myself improve. Its been this latest week that i have really suffered and feel like im taking nothing at all. I know how much this sucks and i think i read that you were studying or something along those lines (i am too) but i hope u can hang in there and i hope that the humira kicks in soon. let me know how you go