Adilumamab

Hi @Janeandrews_60

After being put on sulfasalazine first and then 20mgs methotrexate and when neither worked after 9 months I was prescribed the adalimumab biosimilar Amgevita at the end of July 2021. The rheumatology clinic has still kept me on sulfasalazine and a lowered dose of methotrexate (10mgs) as they said the drugs worked in conjunction.

1. I've never felt the injection to be sore - just slightly uncomfortable. I do it myself. I was told to use a number of areas for the injection and not use the same area every time. The booklet I was given suggests left and right thigh and left and right stomach at least 50mm from your navel so I do it rotationally and keep a record. I always ensure I have an antiseptic wipe, cotton wool and sticking plaster at hand when I do the injection as I'm also on blood thinners.
2. Amgevita has worked well for me so far - I'm not in anywhere near the level of pain I was in previously. In June 2021 before the prescription I was admitted to hospital due to pain levels and was given morphine by injection and then orally. I think in the last six months I've only taken tablet painkillers a couple of times.

I'm now back to walking 50-60kms per week (albeit with a limp) and I'm back cooking and driving. I'm still finding DIY and my photography hobby a challenge as I've still a few issues with my hands.

I'm currently awaiting the results of blood tests as my rheumatologist thinks I might be starting to generate antibodies to the Amgevita - seemingly it's not that uncommon - and the drug begins to lose efficacy. If that's the case she has said she'll move me on to a different biologic. However I must stress I'm nowhere near the pain levels I was previously and if this is as good as it gets I can live with it.

I hope things work well for you.

Hi @Janeandrews_60

At my worst point last year I was trying to get around on two elbow crutches - just to get to the bathroom. I couldn't close my hands or move my shoulder joints - just getting a blood pressure cuff on was agony. My blood results were complicated by the fact I also took a number of instances of pneumonia and my CRP topped out at 340. My last set of results from rheumatology back in March this year had my CRP below 1. When I started Amgevita last July a week after my second injection I could feel a difference in my joints and my ability to move. By September - two months after starting the injections - I was able to return my elbow crutches to the hospital.

I know we are all different in how we react to medication but I hope you see the same changes I have had.

Hi @Janeandrews_60

You might want to try compression gloves for your hands. I feel they help me both from the compression they provide but also the retained warmth helps my joints. I was also given hand exercises to do as well as putty to use for some of these exercises.