Humira or Cimzia

Hornets16,

Thanks for reaching out in our forums. Sorry to hear about how rough it's been since your diagnosis as well as having no success with your current treatment plan. I know finding the right mix can be frustrating, you are not alone in this feeling. Many community members have spoken about Humira and Cizmia, so hopefully they will chime in with personal experience and support! While I cannot offer you any medical or treatment advice via the internet (for your safety) I hope these articles are helpful undertanding these two treatment options.
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/humira-side-effects-safety-profile-review/
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/cimzia-side-effects-safety-profile-review/

Additionally, I thought this would be helpful too: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/switching-biologics/

Reach out and let us know how you are doing too, we will be thinking of you.
Warmly, Lauren (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

Hi Hornets16. It is completely understandable to be concerned about switching medications and moving to an injectable. Information is power and thus it is useful to collect as much as you can, like the great articles posted by Lauren. Also, while no one likes to take a needle, remember that many people do use these medications successfully. One of our contributors wrote about weighing the pros and cons of treatment and non-treatment in this article - what he refers to as the risk to risk ratio: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/the-risk-to-risk-ratio/. Any treatment decision is a personal one, but know that we will provide you with any information we can so that you, with your medical team, can make the best decision for you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Best, Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

Hi,

I as well am supposed to start Cimzia and yes I am nervous about it too. I have taken about every biologic available and have gotten allergic reactions from everyone of them. My doctor said Cimzia has less injection site reactions but when I looked up the side effects (I know they don't apply to everyone) it says lung infections are common. I have asthma so I am really nervous to start this drug. Has anyone tried Cimzia? If so, what do you think?

I have been taking Cimzia for 7 months and had so many different things happen. Every time I mention a symptom to my Rheumatologist, he says it is the disease not to medication. I have decided to see another Rmt and come off the Cimzia.

I've developed a rash on my stomach and chest, I've had Thrush very bad, I have nodules on my lungs that weren't there a year ago, I have fluid around my heart that was't there six months ago, I have a fairly large lump in my breast that just appeared overnight, am going for a mamogram on Friday. I have an appt for a biopsy for lumps that the dentist found in my mouth when I went for my cleaning that weren't there four months ago. IMy voice is horse, I have excessive mucus in my throat and I have trouble swallowing. I had to see an Ear, Nose & Throat doctor for swollen glands, they did an Ultra sound that seemed to be ok, but the glands are very noticebly enlarged and the doctor discovered I had an ear infection that I didn't know I had.. My feet and legs are very swollen, however they were swollen before the Cimzia, I was hoping it would help that condition, and it didn't. So, can all these things suddenly be from the disease? or the Cimzia???

JMK