Anti-TNF's - which one works for you?

alarkra

Hello!

I am seeing The Man in 10 days and have all my fingers crossed (on the good days of course when I'm not all knarled in my hands!) that he will agree to switch me to anti-TNFs for my RA.

I've done the research into all the different ones available. However, I'm curious to know what everyone here is on now and the reasons why they were put on that particular one (there are a few available so I'm curious to know if there are reasons as to why one is put on a certain one at the start)... just so I am clued up as to why he may decide to put me on one and not the other... if at all (let's hope that he does though!)

Let me know your thoughts!

xx

skezier

Hi alarkra,

Sorry i can't read the red too well and i have failed to get on a anti even though the mtx isn't working. juts wanted to wish you luck and some people find one works well, others something else. Hopefully you will find what ever you are put on really helps. Fingers crossed for you. Cris x

tkachev

I chose Humira which has worked brilliantly for me.

Elizabeth

dreamdaisy

Anti TNFs are not guaranteed to work - remember we all react so differently to these meds. I am on my third, yes it has had an effect but it has not done for me what it has done for others, probably because it is too little, too late. I guess you will have to make a choice depending on what is offered to you - the method of administration may be a factor to consider. I wish you well and I sincerely hope you have far, far better results than I. DD

cherrybim

Hi Alarkra,

I was given a choice of Remicade, Humira, Enbrel and Cimzia and had a couple of weeks to mull over all the information before I made my choice.

I chose Cimzia. Firstly because if it's not effective after 12 weeks then the PHT don't have to pay the manufacturers. Ipso facto this has benefit to the patient who can then possibly switch to another tnf. Secondly I chose it for the sympathetic magic that the first consonant was the same as my name. (how daft is that :oops: ) Thirdly it's an absolute cakewalk to do None of those needles like crochet hooks that the injection of Gold necessitated because the solution was so viscous

I've posted a thread about feeling guilty that I've had to start/stop it but I feel that it's having an effect.

I hope you do well with whichever one you choose

salamander

Hi Alarka, luckily I wasn't offered a choice but was given Cimzia. It's a very new drug and I was told by the nurse it is 95% effective. Which will be great. Tentatively feel an improvement in less than a week but will keep you posted.

pottypam

Hi, I have been on infiximib about 4 years ago and did not work at all, and was told by my rhumy nurse that it could make my osteo worse as my hips hurt all the time after the course started, ended up with both hip going with in months, I was then on Humira, which also did not work but was kept on it for about a year until had to come off due my cancer , not been on any until this month when i start with a differant one Rhumixib ,not the one i was told was going on but well reached point will try anything. First full course on the 17th Feb second day course on the 3rd March .
I know they are supposed to be brilliant for the people they work for, I was one of the 5% it did not, so i hope you will have a very positive result, good luck .x

tillytop

Hello Alarkra

I have had Infliximab (5 years) and Humira (3 years). Both worked for me (Infliximab was best) but unfortunately I became allergic to both over time and had to stop. I wasn't given a choice of anti-tnf because,I believe, at the time, there weren't so many available, so choice was limited.

If you are given a choice, I think that one of the things to bear in mind is the way in which it is administered. Although going to hospital every 8 weeks for Inliximab infusions could be considered a nuisance, I much preferred that to the self-injected Humira because of the support which went with it. Meeting up with others in the same boat was great and the support from the nurse who ran the clinic was fantastic. I felt very alone with the Humira because the only hospital contact was an annual appt with the anti-tnf clinic and any concerns or questions had to be raised via the hospital rheumatology helpline who were not always very responsive.

I really hope that you get to try an anti-tnf Alarkra - and that it works as well for you as the Infliximab did for me!

Love Tilly xxx

barbara12

Hi
Sorry I cant help with the meds, I just want to say good luck with it, and do let us know how you get on.
Barbara x

alarkra

Hey,

Thanks for your posts.

I know that anti-tnfs don't always work and I know that he may not move me onto them for whatever reason. But I need some hope to cling onto as I cannot carry on like I currently am. I refuse to believe that this is as good as it gets. I'm way too stubborn to let my RA become me... I'm too strong for that. I'll let you know what he decides. A week to go - I'm so anxious already as a lot hangs on what he says so I can move forward with my life in one way or another. I hate not knowing what the future holds, it's infuriating! :roll:

I hope that you are having a lovely Sunday. xx 8)

rafikgaffar

I am being put on Humira soon. Will post feedback. Good luck to all.