I started on Humira six weeks ago. Before my first shot I went about six weeks with no medication at all because of a difficult time with sulfasalazine, which was added because Enbrel alone was no longer effective. I didn't notice any immediate improvement from the Humira, rather I developed some psoriasis on my arms and I've never had psoriasis anywhere but my scalp and face. Because I was feeling so craptastic, my rheumatologist put me on a twenty day tapered course of prednisone. I have a love/hate relationship with steroids after taking them for about eight months. First I hate the way they make me feel: breathless, unfocussed, sweaty. Second, I love the way they make me feel: energized, strong, not sick. I'm off the short course of prednisone now and I'm still feeling all the good things about prednisone and I'm also no longer sweating all day long or unfocused. I'm feeling energized and not sick. So, maybe this means that the Humira is starting to work. I have experienced some minor joint pain and swelling, but nothing major (no flares) and while my joints have felt a little stiff it hasn't kept me from yoga. If this is what it feels like when the Humira is working, I'll take it. But maybe I will feel even better. That's what I hope for. That's what I'm waiting for. I want to have enough energy and low enough levels of pain and inflammation to fully re-engage with my life. To feel well enough to not hesitate to do a certain activity out of fear that it will make me feel worse. I have another Humira shot on Friday. I'm trying hard to not be attached to the outcome. If I feel better, great. If I feel no better, that's fine too. But I really do want to feel even better!
I too just switched to Humira as Enbrel wasn’t working as well. Only 2 shots in as I had to skip due to a lingering cold/virus. Too soon to say if it’s working, but it doesn’t make me as sick as the Ebrel did. As for steroids - Amen to the love/hate comment. At my worst I was on 100+ mg a day for months. But that caused so many other issues I am afraid to try again, even at the small dose suggested. I have an Rx in my medicine chest, but can’t bring myself to take them.