I was on Enbrel for four years. It worked well but on year five, feeling constant pain on right wrist and base of thumb. Doctor wants me to switch to Remicide(sp?). He said there is no guarantee this will eliminate the wrist and thumb pain. Also on Methotrexate.
If the joint is already damaged then I don't think the biologics can do anything for the pain - they just stop the joint getting worse. I take 60mg Zomorph twice a day for pain but I also occasionally need to take 1000mg of Naproxen to ease inflammation.
I think it is causing some major leg weakness in me. Very difficult to walk up stairs. Cant stand up to brush my teeth in the morning either.
I used Humira for 1 1/2 years. I had severe joint damage and it DID eliminate pain in the damaged joints. Has high potential side effects but sometimes you have to take the risk because your body is so bad off.
I have been on humira for 5 years, and on the 5th year I now have joint pain in left wrist some fingers, right ankle, knees and lower back. As this just started I haven't been back to Dr. Heading there this week.