Is anyone on biological treatment?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Hi all, I've been on methotrexate for 9 months I self inject which is fine and I have no side affects so far, I'm just about to increase from 20mg to 25mg. It doesn't seem to be working so the have given me solphazine but it made me really ill so I stopped but now restarted at a lower dose. 

My question is I've heard a bit about biological treatment and they sound promising, is anyone using them?

2

I'm the same. Been on methotrexate for 9 months, no change and am about to start on Cimzia 200mg alongside the mtx. So far on this site, everyone has good things to say about it..

3

Is that biological?

4

Yes. First one for me too. Good luck!

5

Hi. I think I've been on a similar path to you. After 6 yrs on methotrexate it was no longer enough. Two years ago I added enbrel to my meds. It has helped me enormously for two yrs. Side effects were minimal at first. Few hot flushes and blocked sinuses but they soon subsided. I've not really caught many more viruses and colds than i would normally expect ( I'm a teacher so exposed to a lot). However if I get a cold it now always seems to go into my chest which bit didn't used to. It's been good for me. Only problem is I think I am now you used to it as it's not working as well. Keep getting mini flare ups. Will see how things how over future months and maybe ask about infusions next. Keep well. 😊

6

Hi lisaloo

I have been on methotrexate on and off for a year and I thought I was cured. But due to one of its side effects which made my liver bad I had to change to Sulfasalazine and this is not working and was going to have biologicals. But they have to test for TB. And mine was positive so could not start it till after three months on antibiotics. So hopefully will be on biologicals soon.

They won't give out biologicals until you start with a couple of the other pills first.

Wish you luck

7

Thank you are u in the UK? 

8

Yes on symponi (golumimab) no problems in fact brilliant better than methotrexate by far

9

I've been on MTX and hydroxychloroquine since early December last; unfortunately, it has not helped at all, the RA has spread and is getting worse.   Sulfasalazine made me so sick I couldn't take it and the hydroxychloroquine raised my BP to over 200 so I'm unable to try leflunomide and a few others, despite multiple BP meds it still hovers around the 150 mark and GP says it is untreatable.   I started on cimzia a few weeks ago but so far nothing, the RA continues to spread and get worse every day.

10

Hi thanks for info, I hope you improve soon. Life's so hard with RA you just want to feel normal 😭

11

Good luck with new treatment, let me know how it goes