I'm currently taking Cimzia and it was working the best for me - helped significantly with my fatigue, my worse symptom and all other symptoms. Now after only about 8 months it is failing. I saw my rheumy today and he agrees that it's probably failing. Getting labs done tomorrow and then my rheumy will discuss my options.
Any suggestions on what I should try next?
Hi Frances! Nice to see you around. No specific suggestions, but I was wondering. Are you taking MTX?
I don't know either Frances but just wanted to wish you luck in the decision making process and with whatever drug you do go for. I really don't know how rheumys choose between biologics though obviously cost can be one consideration. It must be extremely frustrating when a drug delivers so well then starts to fail relatively quickly. But I guess having had a good result from Cimzia you can reasonably hope for even better next time.
Re. Stoney's question about Mtx, I'm just about hanging onto Mtx, alongside Humira (long story) and sometimes I think I'm getting the same experience as I did last time I took the stuff i.e. it helps, helps, helps in tiny increments, even slower than a bio.
I was among about MTX because it can slow the development of antibodies to the biologic.
Sybil said:
I don’t know either Frances but just wanted to wish you luck in the decision making process and with whatever drug you do go for. I really don’t know how rheumys choose between biologics though obviously cost can be one consideration. It must be extremely frustrating when a drug delivers so well then starts to fail relatively quickly. But I guess having had a good result from Cimzia you can reasonably hope for even better next time.
Re. Stoney’s question about Mtx, I’m just about hanging onto Mtx, alongside Humira (long story) and sometimes I think I’m getting the same experience as I did last time I took the stuff i.e. it helps, helps, helps in tiny increments, even slower than a bio.
Yes, I thought that but forgot to say so! I suppose what I mean is that I've been on Humira alone till just recently. And after 5 months of adding in Mtx (I took it on its own before) I've just started to feel more energetic. Could just be one of those things or could be Mtx boosting Humira's performance or helping in its own right. Last time I took it I noticed that I just felt better generally, little by little, over 18 months or so which makes me think that for me anyway it is extremely slow release in its effects.
Stoney said:
I was among about MTX because it can slow the development of antibodies to the biologic.
Sybil said:I don't know either Frances but just wanted to wish you luck in the decision making process and with whatever drug you do go for. I really don't know how rheumys choose between biologics though obviously cost can be one consideration. It must be extremely frustrating when a drug delivers so well then starts to fail relatively quickly. But I guess having had a good result from Cimzia you can reasonably hope for even better next time.
Re. Stoney's question about Mtx, I'm just about hanging onto Mtx, alongside Humira (long story) and sometimes I think I'm getting the same experience as I did last time I took the stuff i.e. it helps, helps, helps in tiny increments, even slower than a bio.
Thanks for all the comments. I started taking MTX about 5 months ago. I had to take it in small increments so my body could tolerate it. I've worked up to 10 mg/week without any side effects ! So that's one good piece of news !