Just though I'd share this as it may be of interest to some of you about to start Biologics. My Granddaughters 3 mos appointment was today. It turned out pretty cool because Peggy Schlesinger was there and came into introduce herself before camp next week. (I talked about her in another thread) anyway Tana's doc apologized to her for having had to wait this long to start a biologic ( 3 mos long?????) but the good thing is she would have to take the MTX anyway but 3 mos from now if things are GREAT they can start backing her off the MTX SLOWLY. They have learned it should be weaned over a few weeks or a major flare can ensue EVEN if the drug seems ineffective. They are publishing soon.
After they both got done gushing over the baby quilt Tana brought for the docs new baby (she just adopted) they got to the biologic. Peggy Schlesinger made the comment that it won't be much longer that PsA patients should NOT have to wait to get started on a biologic as the evidence is clear that the regular DMARDs are great supplemental medications and add to the biologics for reasons they don't understand but generally don't work as a stand alone.
Then the conversation took a wierd turn. Melody pulled out three syringes and two auto clicks and told Tana she would have to decide between Humira and Enbrel. (I wanted Enbrel because I have a few boxes and that stuff is costly) What Melody told Tana is what caught me off guard (and Peggy Schlesinger was confirming) is that if the shots were bothering Tana (they weren't until Tana figured out she was taking two shots a week no instead of one) is that the AUTO-Click pens hurt the most (we know that) and have the most site reactions because they have the most preservative and hurt the most because of the amount of preservative.
Humira the worst in both prefilled and auto click. Enbrel had the least site reaction and the least sting. Peggy Schlesinger said she usually recommended the self draw Enbrel for the kiddos because it virtually had no sting.
She also recommened that PsA patients NOT use the sure-click because with already sensitive skin there is a a minor Koebner effect from the spring action and it has put off some from using the biomeds. The only time she recommended the sure click was if people freaked out from seeing the needle.
Tana chose the prefilled Enbrel because he Grandpa was too old to see how much medicine he was getting and she wanted the right amount.
