Amgevita then Benepali now Orencia

Lou1234
Lou1234 Member Posts: 11
edited 22. Oct 2024, 07:52 in Living with arthritis

Hi all,

It's been two years since my diagnosis. Since then I've tried methotrexate, sulfasalazine amgevita, benepali and I'm due to switch to Orencia.

Has anyone else found it difficult to find a drug that works for them? I don't get masses of swelling but I do get joints that are red and the soreness and pain stops me doing everyday activities.

Thanks in advance.

Louise

Comments

  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,917

    Hi @Lou1234

    It does sound as though getting the right drug/combination is proving more difficult for you.

    Yes people do sometimes struggle with this over the years I have heard this many times. I am very glad to hear that at least you do seem to have a team who are keen to find something to help you.

    I don't know whether you have read this at all?

    It just might reassure you that there are many many more options out there:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drugs-dmards/

    It gives information from conventional DMARDs (such as Methotrexate) right through to JAK inhibitors.

    My best wishes and hopes that Orencia (abatacept) is the drug which works for you.

    Ellen.

  • jamieA
    jamieA Member Posts: 846

    Hi @Lou1234

    I've been on Amgevita for over 3 years now. I'm also on sulfasalazine and methotrexate. My rheumatologist says the 3 drugs together work synergistically. I attended the Nuffield Health Joint Pain course in early 2023 and met a number of people there with inflammatory arthritis. A couple of them had been on more than one biologic before they found one that worked for them - one person had tried 4 biologics. When I was first put on Amgevita and found that it worked for me the rheumatology nurse said it was good it did as there were then 7 alternatives they could have chosen. I don't think it's an exact science so what works for one may not work for someone else. I suppose at the end of the day we are all different.

    I hope you find something that works for you soon.

  • TiredWarrior
    TiredWarrior Member Posts: 23

    Yes I seem to be struggling to find something that works for me (though over 22 years). I have been on 5 different DMARDS in combo or separately as well as 4 biologics

    Benepali had worked for me for 5 years. Orencia is supposed to be really effective (unfortunately tried it for 2 years & was only partly effective for me). I’m now on Rituximab infusion(along with MTX & steroids) and really hoping it will help

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