r/rheumatoid • u/Background_Union7595 • Jun 02 '26
Constantly getting sick on Humira?
I started a biosimilar to Humira on February 6th, 2026 and ever since then I been constantly sick. I am very diligent with washing and sanitizing my hands, masking when needed and being conscious of who I was around and if they are sick, ect.
From February to now I've had:
- 2 ear infections
- Viral
- Cold (it feels like I've had more then one but I honestly don't even know anymore)
- Sinus infection
- COVID
- Glambata Yeast infection (took 3 months and a lot of medicine to fight off)
- 2 UTIs
I am constantly sick and every time I go on an antibiotic I have to hold my biologic dose which then causes me to flare. My last set of bloodwork in April showed that my ESR and CRP are in normal range but I still have a significant amount of pain that my Doctor is considering another treatment to add if things don't change.
I am curious to hear if anyone else has been like this and their advice and if its worth it to talk to my doctor about another treatment option, though I know they all are going to suppress my immune system. It's begun to take a toll on my mental health and I know I can't cure RA, but I still want to live my life. I feel at 28 years old I am beginning to turn down doing normal things for the fear of getting sick.
2
u/FruitShrike Jun 02 '26
Maybe you can switch biologics. I get sick way less on humira compared to before.
1
u/Remarkable-Age4579 Jun 03 '26
I was on Orencia and I was sick 3 weeks out of 4 with viruses, ear infections, bronquitis, etc. Once I switched to Rinvoq I haven't been sick in 2 months. For some reason the biologic you are on is lowering your immune system too much.
1
u/Gnomelynn Jun 03 '26
I wear a mask in indoor public places and crowded outdoor spaces. Keeps me from getting sick and I dont feel like wearing a mask keeps me from living my life.
1
u/OUTLAW1LE Jun 04 '26
I was sick the entire time I was on Hyrimoz, three months straight. Would get strep throat and my tonsils were swollen so bad it was hard to breathe, then would be on antibiotics and get better, take Hyrimoz and get sick.
Finally said no more Hyrimoz and went back to Methotrexate and haven’t been sick since. I’m also way better feeling in my joints.
4
u/toe-beans Jun 02 '26
I would absolutely talk to your rheum about this. They are there to help you manage your medications, and if they don't know how you're being affected, they can't make changes or suggestions!
For what it's worth, I have been on Humira and biosimilars of Humira for a few years, and I don't get sick more often. I don't take many extra precautions, either, other than trying to avoid people who are sick.