First TNF assesment... what can I expect?

stormy

Hi everyone,

I have pustular psioratic arthritis, I started my treatment with 7 tabs a week and then graduallywent on to the highest dosage of self injections last year.
I was told on my last visit to the RH nurse that if this method fails they will recommend me for anti TNF treatment.
On my last visit to the consultant 2 weeks ago, it was suggested we start on that path asap.
I am due to go for an assessment with my RH nurse this coming tuesday. What can I expect, what do they do to assess your eligibilty? and how many assessments do they do before finally deciding on wether a patient is eligible to begin this treatment? What exactly is TNF? What does it do? Does it work?

marief

I have RA and when I was assessed at my hospital it consisted of forms and the nurse feeling for swelling in my joints and resricted movement and how painful it was .
All I say is be careful as on tuesday it could be a good day for you.
I always think of a bad day when asked about you pain and how you cope with everyday jobs.

hope this helps

Marie

stormy

Thanks Marie

I understand what you mean, I have days when I can hardly move at all without pain and stiffness, then some days when it just feels like a continuos dull ache, it seems whenever I get an appointment through I have a fairly good day that day, with hardly any flare up, but garaunteed within a couple of days Im back to hurting and swelled joints.
Often feel like a fraud, and its not like you can make appointments at the times when the flare ups are at their worse

lindah

Welcome to the site first of all.
Have you a mobile phone that takes photos cos you could take some pics(get someone to take them) if you suffer swollen joints etc.before your appt. then if you are having a good day(relative term I know) you still have reference material to show them.
Just an idea
Linda H

fossillady

Hi and welcome. I am a newbie to this site but not to arthritis, I am in my 19th year of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I'm sorry that your present treatment is not controlling your arthritis, it really is a case of trying to find the right treatment and dose for each individual which can be frustrating. I have been on anti-TNF's (etanercept 25mg twice weekly injections) for 5 years now and have had really good results.

Anti-TNFs work by blocking the action of a chemical called tumour necrosis factor (TNF). TNF is thought to play an important role in driving the inflammation and tissue damage in certain kinds of inflammatory arthritis.

When you go for your assessment the nurse will probably do what is called a DAS score (disease activity score). This involves looking at how many swollen or tender joints you have, an ESR blood result and a VAS score which is basically a slide rule with happy and sad faces and you say how the arthritis has made you feel in the last week. The nurse will put these figures into a special calculator and work out your DAS score and this has to be at a certain level to be eligible for anti-TNF's. Throughout treatment you will have this score done regularly and you have to maintain a good improvement to stay on them.

I hope this helps
Good luck with your assessment !

Marie x

kellis

I also had a chest x-ray and a test for tuberculosis.