Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group TNF Blockers: How common are headaches?

Hi All,

I'm new to Enbrel - 4 weeks in - and I'm doing OK with it so far.

I have had headaches for the past few weeks though, pretty much continuous. I notice headaches listed as a possible side effect, and wondered if anyone here experienced it, and if so how you deal with it (I'm not taking pain relief for arthritis pain, and the over-the-counter stuff for headaches doesn't seem to help).

I'm sticking with it - they're not that bad, I'm just interested in other peoples experiences and methods making it better

Hi Shane,

Oh my, 4 weeks is a long time to have a headache! I haven't had headaches although they are listed for remicade also, so can't offer much in the way of suggestions.

Since this is so persistent, I'd make sure to inform your doc.

Do you have a history of iritis? Just thinking that headaches can be a warning sign. (Sorry, I have iritis on the brain!)

Really hope your body will adjust and the headaches will disappear. Headaches are no fun and not something I'd want to tolerate for long.

Take care!
mig

Hi Mig!

No history of iritis thankfully. Have heard of it, sounds like it isn't much fun at all.

I'm expecting my body will adjust, as you say. I'm wondering if it might be a good excuse to treat myself to something, actually - take my mind of it.

It is definitely a good excuse to treat yourself, Shane. No-one will argue that!

Distractions can be fabulous, just stay in tune with whatever your body is trying to say, if it gets louder.

Shane: I'm afraid we are in the same boat. I just started Simponi at the start of the month and I still have a headache. Had a full blown migraine with vomitting on Friday. I take Sumatriptan for migraines. I must say since I took my migraine medication, the continuous headache is much better. I spoke to my Rheumatologist about this and he wasn't concerned but did say it is not common. Hoping our bodies are just adjusting. For me, it is still worth the pain relief at this point so I am sticking with my biologic too.

I am so sorry @Winter and @Shane that you guys are experienceing headaches...

I started Humira in August and have had 3 injections so far. Thankfully I have not experienced headaches nor any other side effect listed. I am getting limited relief so far, but hopeing for more.

I had horrible headaches with a lot of the oral medications I took previous to the Humira. They are never fun. Hopefully as your system adjusts to the medications the headaches will subside, but I would definetly as Mig stated keep your dr informed.

As far as keeping your mind off of it....TREATING yourself to something, SHANE, is a great idea!!!

Good luck!

You might be interested in this, winter: the rheumatology nurse suggested a hit of espresso can help temporarily. So I bought a stovetop espresso machine (I'm more a tea drinker usually) and can confirm that it does help for a short while!

I just swap the headache for the c-c-c-coffee jitters but a change is as good as a rest

im on humira, and have had headaches alot this summer,
but thats not unusual for me unfortunately.

I have started taking feverfew for migraines, along with

I have smoldering Iritis - meaning my eyes will ache and ache and be sensitive to light, but its not the Horrendous pain some have mentioned, and it seems to come and go slowly over time. the pred drops work well to handle eye headaches.
So its not a bad eye-dea (hahahaha sorry im from the north) to get it checked out.

Hi Shane: I will do the shot of espresso tomorrow, thanks for the tip. I will be jittery too, especially since I am still on 7 mg a day of Prednisone. Looking forward to the break from the headache pain tomorrow .

Glad you treated yourself to an espresso machine. Keep downing the coffees .

Shari

Sorry to hear about your headaches and iritis. Irits sounds so painful. Glad to hear the meds are helping .

Interesting how your headaches are worse too on a biologic. I will check into the steroid drops for the eyes. I definitely feel my eyes are more sensitive now but assumed it was from the ragweed here.

Do you take medication daily for your migraines or just wen they come on?