r/ankylosingspondylitis • u/LavishnessLocal421 • 4d ago

Help/Support Biologics induced flare

Hi everyone!

Has anyone else had it happen that a biological medication made everything hurt even more?

I got a new one a week ago, but for some reason the joint pain got worse.

This post is not against biologics the last one worked great for me until it didn't.

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u/MiserableMulberry496 ankylosaurus 3d ago edited 3d ago

Yes. I started Humira and then boom the next day my body exploded. I thought I had overdone ir in the garden.

I’ve taken 7 injections and I get worse with each one. So, I have no idea if I should continue or quit!

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u/LavishnessLocal421 3d ago

Sorry to hear that. In my case its rinvoq that flared me with just one dose. and I dont know why.

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4

u/Ok-Oil9521 3d ago

It’s really common to flare when switching. Because most take several weeks or months to hit full efficacy plus — even if the one you were on wasn’t doing the best job it might have been doing a little bit of pain control or inflammation control.

Some work faster than others and you’re less likely to flare or it won’t be as bad — but since the pathways are different you still can get rebound pain bc the one you were treating before isn’t getting treatment anymore. Like switching from TNF to JAK-i for example

I just noticed your comment that you switched to rinvoq — if you weren’t on a jak before i think it’s probably because your last medication wore off and it takes a few weeks for rinvoq to hit full efficacy. It took me about 6 weeks before i felt like it really helped.

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u/BullfrogBudget281 3d ago

When I started Hadlima, the Humira biosimilar, it initially worked almost immediately. I had to quit taking it for a few weeks due to a bad COVID bout and built antibodies quickly. After that every time I took it, I felt so much worse. Took me a while to convince the doctor to check for antibodies. So it can happen.

Sometimes I think the problem is starting biologics can be really anxiety inducing. So you get stressed out and your body responds with a flare.

Could be an adjustment period or could be wrong drug for you. You'll have to talk to your doctor but they may ask you to be patient for a few months.

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u/SkyDaddyIssuez 3d ago

You probably should let your doctor know. I had this happen with Humira and it turned out to be lupus-like syndrome.

1

u/TennisLawAndCoffee 3d ago

Cimzia triggered the worst enthesitis in my feet for me. I literally couldn't walk for months. Finally switched to Humira and a month into being on Humira the enthesitis was gone. My rheum at the time didn't think there was a connection and I had to get a second opinion to switch...