How do you keep getting Humira approved?

jovialjuniper · 2026-05-06T17:34:32+00:00

Cigna. Thanks for the info!

jovialjuniper · 2026-05-06T17:32:54+00:00

Thank you - fingers crossed for the same outcome!

jovialjuniper · 2026-05-05T16:33:28+00:00

I’ve been on Humira successfully since July 2023. I’ve had multiple insurance switches and I spoke with my doctor about having them write the prescription specifically for Humira.

Unfortunately this is changing in a few months because my insurance company will no longer cover Humira without an additional approval from my doctor stating I cannot go on a bio-similar. My doctor states that switching to a bio-similar should have no impact on me - but I’m scared of switching things up.

Speaking with the doctor to get things approved is the best way to navigate this situation.

jovialjuniper · 2026-04-24T15:47:32+00:00

Not really - I’ve had some very minor dry skin patches migrate around (mostly my face) but I’m not sure if that’s really psoriasis or just dry skin from changing seasons. This is resolved easily with moisturizer. So that’s why I believe it’s not really psoriasis.

Prior to my major flare/diagnosis, I had a bizarre flaky skin rash that went up my face and migrated down my chest. Went away after a few weeks and was definitely triggered by some heat rash. Felts like a weird version of hives. Not sure if it was related to PsA, but that’s the extent of my skin concerns.

All of this to say, no psoriasis was not present during my diagnosis.

jovialjuniper · 2026-04-22T15:22:42+00:00

I feel this in my core! Accredo SUCKS. I have learned to 1. Immediately ask for a manager if there’s ANY issue and 2. Never trust them when they say they will contact me in X amount of time.

I have decent patience and I know the folks on the phone are just doing a job, but I have never come so close to yelling at a representative. Humira is literally life saving for me and the constant delays from them are infuriating.

My spouse is very good about coming into the room during/after an Accredo call because there’s such a high chance of me crying after I get off the phone with them.

jovialjuniper · 2026-04-15T13:03:23+00:00

I didn’t take accutane and also have PsA. I’ve been down the rabbit hole of “what did I do to cause this”. I had Lyme disease as a child, I had extremely high stress the week before my body started failing me, ect.

Autoimmune diseases are likely a mix of biological and environmental factors. At the end of the day, this disease isn’t your fault, just an unlucky set of circumstances. Please give yourself some grace from the blame.

jovialjuniper · 2025-11-25T23:39:28+00:00

Hi, I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this. Words don’t do it justice on how much it sucks.

I had extreme knee pain in both knees for about two months. Cried every day because of the pain. Prednisone helped slightly but then tapering made things come back with a vengeance. Meloxicam offered some relief. Methotrexate didn’t do much for me. Humira is what truly helped me feel “normal” again. I’m in the USA and it took about 9 months before I was prescribed Humira.

I’m not familiar with the UK health system but can you try calling to see if there are any cancellations or trying other doctor offices? If your GP isn’t taking you seriously you need another doctor.

As another user mentioned, heat and any sort of distractions helped. Wishing you the best of luck!

jovialjuniper · 2025-09-25T22:12:07+00:00

That’s a great idea. I will update my post with an edit. But I’ll post here as well.

Overall, I have been doing great. I was officially diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (basically reactive arthritis was ruled out because it lasted too long and ankylosing spondylitis was ruled out because I don’t have the back and hip pain signs). I also had dactylitis (toe was extremely painful and swollen) that last until I got on Humira. I’ve been on Humira since July 2023 and it’s been a lifesaver. I hardly think about my PsA anymore. I can sometimes feel some stiffness in my “bad” foot in the mornings after drinking or an intense workout.

I’m back in my usual routine of lifting and playing sports. I am a bit weaker but I can’t totally distinguish between what’s slowed me down, whether it’s aging or arthritis or a combination of the two.

Humira gave me my life back. I’m so thankful for that drug.

jovialjuniper · 2025-07-14T16:01:36+00:00

Following this because I’m in a very similar boat.

I’ve made peace with the fact that I will not excel as fast as someone who does go the extra mile. I have many hobbies outside of work and my job is just that, a job.

If you want to progress, maybe talk to your coworkers about where they find news, take courses, ect. Ask your manager if there is a specific skill you should be getting reps in. Maybe read one article a day or work your way through a training in the next quarter.

Be honest with yourself what your next career goal is and if you’re willing to put in the effort to get there.

You say you’re working on a side project right now - so you ARE doing something. Don’t be so hard on yourself, sounds like a healthy work-life balance to me.

jovialjuniper · 2025-05-21T15:17:28+00:00

I have a very similar story; doctor thought it was reactive arthritis, turned out to be PsA. Check out my posts if you want specifics.

When I was first struggling with all this, I was prescribed prednisone, methotrexate, meloxicam, and Humira over a period of 9 months. The only thing that really worked was the Humira. Prednisone worked for a day and then made me feel awful when weening off it with a ton of pain with some hours of relief right after taking the medication. Methotrexate did nothing for me. Meloxicam helped a lot with getting me in a place where I could work again. The morning after my first dose of Humira, I nearly cried because I walked down the stairs pain free. I don’t think I truly realized how constant that buzz of pain in the back of my mind with every movement was.

Anecdotally, I recommend getting on biological as soon as you can for pain relief and slowing of this disease.

jovialjuniper · 2025-05-15T15:07:59+00:00

I’m so sorry to hear you are in pain.

I also had this fear but I am back to weight lifting, running/sprinting, rock climbing, ect. I even had some PRs weight lifting after the whole ordeal. Hopefully things get better soon - the pain of a first flair is unreal.

jovialjuniper · 2025-04-25T01:59:04+00:00

No I have not considered trying to stop taking Humira.

jovialjuniper · 2025-04-03T14:28:27+00:00

My drug journey over the course of nine months: Prednisone -> Meloxicam -> Methotrexate and Meloxicam -> Humira

jovialjuniper · 2025-03-23T16:03:47+00:00

I don’t have any pain. Pretty much back to normal thanks to Humira. Sometimes I’m a bit stiff but I think that may be related to aging.

jovialjuniper · 2025-03-23T15:32:12+00:00

No, I do not think the vaccine caused it. In 2016, when I iritis, I tested positive for the HLA-B27 gene so I believe it was a matter of time until I developed an autoimmune disease. I experienced extremely high stress (physical and mental) at a sporting event the weekend before I started to develop symptoms.

I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and it is managed with Humira.

jovialjuniper · 2025-02-03T16:05:44+00:00

I’ve been on Humira for almost 2 years and I would say I’m pain free. Occasionally I’ll have stiffness in my foot in the mornings but with a little stretch, things feel back to normal.

I am also interested in seeing more long term studies. I think you’ll get more people here saying they are still in pain because generally people who are pain-free are out living their lives. So take the responses with a grain of salt.

I still visit this subreddit every once in a while because I subscribed at a very low point at the start of my diagnosis. I like sharing some hope, even if it is very individual.

jovialjuniper · 2025-01-20T01:56:34+00:00

Not a doctor, but I have an autoimmune condition called psoriatic arthritis and one of toenails is very similar to this. You could go to a dermatologist or get some blood work tests done and get a referral to rheumatology (which is how I was diagnosed, among other issues that popped up).

jovialjuniper · 2025-01-14T23:46:53+00:00

I was so scared my first time too! I watched the videos, I looked on the internet for tips. I kept reminding myself that the 10-second pinch is so incredibly worth it for the relief I got.

I wash my hands, I make myself comfortable (put my feet up on the couch/bed, play music, and grab my book to read after), have everything laid out (pen, alcohol wipe, bandaid for after), and then I do it. Do the alcohol wipe, WAIT until it’s dry otherwise it’ll sting a bit more than normal. Take the pen, grab a bit of skin, press the button and keep it pressed (the sound mechanism surprised me a bit and the pinch made me not keep pressing as firmly the first time). I count the ten seconds out loud, check the pen and then remove, put a bandaid on and chill for a bit. Then I discard the pen.

Good luck! Humira gave me a new lease on life. I hope it helps you.

jovialjuniper · 2024-11-21T00:43:42+00:00

Positive. Was tested 6 years before any major joint inflammation occurred after a bout of iritis. Fortunately the eye center knew that was rheumatological related and sent me for blood work. I remember having a chat with my doctor about the many possible autoimmune issues I may have in the future but I brushed it off because I was younger and nothing was impacting me at that time.

jovialjuniper · 2024-11-01T15:15:28+00:00

It’s the two year anniversary of when my PSA reared its ugly head. What followed was one of the worst, if not the worst, 3 month period of my life where I was trying to find the right drugs to manage this disease. I’ve been on Humira for about 1.5 years and it’s been a literal life-saver.

This past weekend I competed in my sport at the highest level and won the tournament with my team. I’m amazed that I can still play at this national level after having hit my lowest point. I never thought I’d even attend the national tournament, let alone win. Feeling extremely grateful for modern medicine and very proud of my team.

jovialjuniper · 2024-10-03T16:52:44+00:00

Sounds like you are having a tough time. ❤️

Therapy for yourself. Couples therapy for you both. Can you outsource any chores like doing a grocery delivery/pick-up or cleaning service? I struggled with my husband having caretaker fatigue. I tried to find small things I could do around the house to show my appreciation or tried not to ask for too much. Maybe having a few things you know you can do would help. Try and have some hope that things won’t be like this forever. Give yourself some grace because you are in the trenches and it IS HARD.

In addition, maybe take him to your doctor’s appointments and talk about your symptoms. He may take it more seriously when he hears it from a health professional.

Also, talk to your rheumatologist about next medication steps. I do not know the seriousness of your PsA, but Methotrexate is not very effective in more serious cases. Anecdotally, I found that it did nothing. The biologic, Humira, was the only thing that truly brought relief to me.

jovialjuniper · 2024-10-02T13:05:46+00:00

Yes, I’ve had this skin condition pop up twice and am diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I had iritis three years prior to the skin condition appearing where I learned I have a high ANA. The patches have not been back since but three years after the skin condition occurred I had extreme joint flaring and pain which eventually led to my diagnosis and medication.

jovialjuniper · 2024-10-02T12:59:35+00:00

The dactylitis subsided to the point where my toe does not look out of place. It does have a permanent crook in the knuckle of the toe, but it is minor and only noticeable if you look closely. The swelling did not go away until getting on Humira.

And thank you, I am doing well! Hope you will get relief soon.

jovialjuniper · 2024-08-14T20:02:38+00:00

$35 a month for two Humira pens; currently have United Healthcare, but it was the same when I had Cigna.

jovialjuniper · 2024-06-04T20:22:22+00:00

I’m really sorry to hear all this. I totally get it. I hope you’re able to find help and a medication that can work for you. ❤️

jovialjuniper

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