Which Anti-TNF for Psoriatic Arthritis

ritwren

Hi everyone, I've not posted for a while but do pop on and off when I can. Hope everyone who knows me is keeping well and coping with everything.

I have Psoriatic arthrits and have been on Methotrexate for a few years but it was stopped in March and I started taking Lefunamide. I'm currently keeping up with the Lefunamide while waiting on Anti-TNF.
~This has'nt worked and I've had 6 months of sheer hell.
I've now had 2 assessments for using Anti -TNF and will start within then next 3 months all being well.
I've been told to read about Etanercept (Enbrel) Adalimumab (Humira) Infliximab (Remicade) with a view to deciding which one to start in conjunction with the Rheumatology team.
I was wondering who on the forum with Ps A. has tried any of them and is one better for this particular type of Arthritis than another?

dillydream

Hello
I too have PsA and have been given Methotrexate, Leflunomide, Azathioprine and one other DMARD in the last four years since diagnosis. I was unable to tolerate any of them and like you had to wait six months for Anti TNF trearment.
I was given leaflets to read about the various options, but ultimately and because of my sensitivities, my Consultant decided i should start on Enbrel.
I am now in my second month and for me, it has turned my life around. It`s early days, but i am cautiously optimistic. I haven`t had any side effects except for irritation around the injection sites, which i put Anti-Histamine cream on and my pain from the PsA has gone. I still have pain in my neck and shoulder from the Osteo Arthritis, but thats another story.
Please bear in mind that what works for one may not work for another but good luck with your treatment, i hope it goes well.
Take care
Dilly

dreamdaisy

I've been given infliximab, enbrel and humira. The humira has been the most 'effective' in terms of wonderful bloods but that's it. I think I was too far gone along the road of joint damage by the time these meds were introduced (seven years in, five without any meds at all) and my mobility is slightly better for six days out of the fourteen so I guess that's something. Everyone reacts differently to the meds so I hope the one you try proves to be the one for you. Please let us know how you get on, yes? DD

ritwren

Thanks so much for your replies. I know that what works for one person may not work for another but it's good to have some idea what other folk have tried.
DD I'm so sorry to hear you've not had any help with any of them. I know that there are some newer treatments out there would you be able to get one of them?
I will let you know which one I end up getting although it'll be a few more months before I get it.
Hope you both have a good day.

skezier

Hi Rita

Good to see you flower

Can't help you cus they wont fund me having any of them cus the oa and pa are in the same joints so they can't be saved either way but just wanted to leave you a ((((( ))))) and a hope they will find something that works and better still that the Enbrel) or the Humira will work first time. For a lot they do.

Let us know what happens and tis good to see you. Cris xx

Mike2012

Hi

I have Psoriatic Arthritis, had it since i was 18, probably longer buts docs never picked up on it.

I have been taking Humira now for nearly 2 years 1 x 40mg injection twice a week. I refused methotrexate because it can stop you from having children later on in life.

The humira has cleared all my Psorisis and is helping with the arthritis it doesnt get rid of the pain. Another downside to Anti TNF is your more prone to catching colds and infections etc.

Hope this helps

Thanks

Mike

dreamdaisy

How much humira? :shock: Mine is one 40mgs every fortnight, that's all I'm allowed. No wonder it's worked so well for you - and it won't ease pain, all it's doing is preventing further damage. Well, I say 'all' - it's a pretty important all. All the immuno-suppressants leave us more vulnerable to infections - meth, lef, cyclosporin etc, that isn't just the preserve of the anti TNFs. DD

ritwren

Cris lovely to see you too and thanks for your reply. Hope you're keeping ok. That's a real shame they won't fund you for one of the biologicals. They have made a point of telling me they won't help with the damage already done too. Big hugs always.
Mike that does sound like a high dose of Humara as the usual dose is 40mg every 2 weeks as DD is taking but we're all different. Glad to hear it's made such a difference to your life, long may it continue.
DD has it made a difference to you at all or is the benifit of it hiden.
Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply. Hope everyone has a good day.

dreamdaisy

A difference? OK, honest reply on its way.

I suppose so, inasmuch I have had lovely bloods since I began it (which greatly pleases the medicos) my ESR and CRP are both under 5 (even occasionally too low to measure) but my mobility has declined over the three years I've been taking it thanks to the OA in my knees and ankles caused by the PsA joint damage. I now use a rollator as a matter of course when outdoors as crutches are no longer enough. I do move more easily for six or so days after the injection (according to my husband that is, I don't notice as the pain is still there) so I suppose that is a benefit. But compared to MP52 and Scorpio my 'benefit' counts for nought. I sincerely hope you fall into their camp with it!

My humira is supported by injected meth and I haved noticed that if I catch a bug and have to come off the meds while taking anti-bios I always feel so much better in myself, although I am officially 'ill'! I think the two do pull me down pyhsically but thinking about what they do that is hardly surprising. I realise now that what I want is never going to happen, i.e. take the meds, feel great and get my old life back, so I have to settle for feeling constantly under-par and struggling if that means that the PsA progress has been slowed. I know I would be far worse without them, I know I am lucky to have them, and life has nothing to do with what we think should be happening and all to do with what is.

Go for it, you won't know what will happen until you try. We are well-monitored when on these things so be conscientious about that and I hope it proves to be the one for you. Good luck! DD

ritwren

DD thanks for your very honest reply.(big hugs) I really appreciate it.
I tolerated Methotrexate for a few years but it really did wear me down too and had to stop it this year when it became less effective and am now on Leflunamide.
I've done a fair bit of reading now and think that if they'll let me I'll go for the Humara. Fingers crossed it will work for me but it's a truth that the damage already done can't be mended.