anti tnf-help

tracey22
tracey22 Member Posts: 41
edited 14. Jul 2009, 07:03 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hye everyone just wanted to know if anyone knows what the assesment for anti tnf involves. ive heard its an xray and examination is this correct. would appreciate any details on this....

thanks
tracey22

Comments

  • luckybug
    luckybug Member Posts: 205
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Chest xray, then blood tests for around 3 months to make sure your arthritis is still high. I think they check the ESR cos if your arthritis improves NICE wont let you have it. Good Luck xx
  • tracey22
    tracey22 Member Posts: 41
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    luckybug wrote:
    Chest xray, then blood tests for around 3 months to make sure your arthritis is still high. I think they check the ESR cos if your arthritis improves NICE wont let you have it. Good Luck xx

    thanks luckybug i was under the impression that i would know on the same day if i can have it, heres hoping.
  • luckybug
    luckybug Member Posts: 205
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    tracey22 wrote:
    luckybug wrote:
    Chest xray, then blood tests for around 3 months to make sure your arthritis is still high. I think they check the ESR cos if your arthritis improves NICE wont let you have it. Good Luck xx

    thanks luckybug i was under the impression that i would know on the same day if i can have it, heres hoping.

    They should tell you, if your a candidate for it, but it takes a while, and when I had to go for the tests I kept thinking they might decide not to let me have it. I was agony though and the rheumatology nurse didn't want to give me any medicine incase my condition improved then I would have been knocked back.
  • tracey22
    tracey22 Member Posts: 41
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    luckybug wrote:
    tracey22 wrote:
    luckybug wrote:
    Chest xray, then blood tests for around 3 months to make sure your arthritis is still high. I think they check the ESR cos if your arthritis improves NICE wont let you have it. Good Luck xx

    thanks luckybug i was under the impression that i would know on the same day if i can have it, heres hoping.

    They should tell you, if your a candidate for it, but it takes a while, and when I had to go for the tests I kept thinking they might decide not to let me have it. I was agony though and the rheumatology nurse didn't want to give me any medicine incase my condition improved then I would have been knocked back.

    yes know what you mean am really struggling with pain at the moment had some steroids about 2 weeks ago and even they didnt work. so must grin and bear it as usual ha ha x
  • ichabod6
    ichabod6 Member Posts: 843
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Between first and second assessments I had
    a big flare up but couldn't have steroid injection
    or tablets in case it dramatically improved my
    condition the rheumatology nurse went on
    holiday, the consultant was ill and they lost my
    notes. Four weeks stretched into almost eight
    but after the second assessment it all moved
    quickly and in within 10 days the humira was delivered
    and I did my first injection. Since then it has been
    bl.....y marvellousand the trauma is just a vague
    memory.
  • c4thyg
    c4thyg Member Posts: 542
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Tracey, it depends on what type of arthritis you have as well. I have PsA and the criteria aren't quite as strict as there are less effective treatments available to us. I only needed one examination instead of 2. You still need to have a chest xray to rule out TB. You need blood work done to rule out lupus and a couple of other things that I've forgotten. You will also need an up to date smear. I have the added benefit that I have 3 conditions and antiTNF is a treatment for all 3 so it is actually cheaper for the NHS to give me Enbrel than treat all 3 separately.
    Good luck with your assessment.

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