I have sero negative arthritis and have had it for years. I have done the methotrexate for 2 years and it worked well for my arthritis but was making me sick at least 2 days of every week. Since then I am taking Sulfasalazine and Leflunomide every day. It has been working up to about a month ago, now my Dr wants me to try biologics and has sent me home with a bunch of brochures on them. I am having a hard time trying to figure out which of the side effects are the least of these drugs. Looking for any advice.
Thanks
Hi Patti,
Excellent post. Exactly the questions and issues I will need to explore and consider re biologics.
Hi Patti, I'm on methatrexate and humira injections and doing so much better. Been on the humira almost 2 mo. Good luck.
Hi Patti
Humira seems to be a popular choice and quite effective for those who tolerate it. I think it has been around the longest but I could be wrong on that. And I think it can be trial and error unfortunately to see which is effective and tolerated. Good luck to you. The biologics can bring great relief for many
Hi Patti, I have had RA for 11 years. Originally put on methotrexate tabs which worked for a few years but the nausea was getting worse so was transferred to methotrexate injections which I hated doing. After about 9 months I developed a weird reaction so was put back on tab form. Than about 4-5 years ago methotrexate wasn't effective and I was in an awful state, had to keep badgering for an appointment with specialist as I was in between appointments. When she saw me she was shocked at how bad I was. Anyway she gave steroid injection to tied me over, drained my knees and suggested I go on a trial she was conducting for toximilimab as this would be quicker for me to access. I can honestly say that within a week of being on the trial I felt a huge difference. The trial was to see if the toximilimab would work on its own or better with other drugs. We weren't told what we were on after 6 months, it could have been full dose methotrexate,1/2 dose methotrexate or placebo. My consultant didn't even know. When the new dose started I started failing again so we think I may have been on the placebo. When trial ended I continued every 4 weeks with toximilimab infusion and my normal methotrexate and have been fab until 2 months ago. Problems with my liver results so taken off methotrexate, only on the bio now and it has no effect on me at all. Seeing doctor tomorrow as having bloods done every week or 2 and liver function is up and down like a yoyo.
Hi, I have RA Seronegative, about 15 years now, I am on Sulfasalazine all that time, but a year ago my inflammation started getting bad, so they tried methotrexate but I could not tolerate it, and then about 9 months ago started on biological Benepali, it works great and no side effects in my case, I read all the side effects you may get, but so far none.
Hi. I went on the Biologics. I also have sero negative arthritis. It was very good. Made a a big difference to my well being. You need to try them, you can always come off them if you do not get on with them.
Did the drugs you are on stop being effective ?
I'm on Remacade and have had no side effects. Good Luck!
The methotrexate was working just giving me to many stomach issues, I felt awful for a couple days after taking my injections every week. The ones I am on now are just not keeping my flare ups under control, so will stay on them and introduce a Biologic.
Thanks, I don't think Benepali was in the list the Dr gave me but will certainly ask about it.
Wow I hope you get your figured out. Thank you for the info.
Hi, Benepali is a bio-similar, the drug is a version of Etanercept, it is a slightly cheaper version, is Etanercept on your list?, I inject the Benepali once a week, it's a prefilled syringe.
Yes that one is on my list, I will give it another read, Thanks