If you have 50 - 60k a year there’s
Dimethyl fumarate
It’s been appeoved in the US for MS and currently in trials for Psoriasis. It apparently works well for PsA as well.
There’s also Stelara for PsA (not as effective as other biologics for PsA). It’s done wonders for my Psoriasis, but not much for PsA. My body has yet to figure out how to defend against this biologic. Maybe an option while you wait for another drug.
Hi M:
This is just coming out from the UK...I'm following it very closely. It talks about RA, but I understand it is expected to work for PsA as well. Very exciting. Check out the link and tell me what you think.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/376343/Single-jab-can-beat-arthritis
Oh...I've also been working to lower my TSH as much as possible. Now I'm getting close to 0.5 and the lower I get, the more my PsA symptoms seem to switch off.
My, Marietta! You have been through it.
I’m so glad that you seem to have a doc who is on it and a wonderful husband to support you. I wish you the best with the new drug.
Hugs!
Grumpy
Yup, I've been through the ringer :)
I'm crossing my fingers, but the Cimzia seems to be helping. I've had 3 doses now (it's an every 2 week injection), and I'm starting to have many more good days than bad! My severe hand / finger pain in almost nonexistent, after needing to wear IMAK gloves all day every day just to keep the pain and swelling to tolerable levels. I had the really bad hand inflammation for about 6 months.
GrumpyCat said:
My, Marietta! You have been through it.
I'm so glad that you seem to have a doc who is on it and a wonderful husband to support you. I wish you the best with the new drug.
Hugs!
Grumpy
That is so good to hear, especially after having so much pain for so long. What a relief it must be!
Marietta said:
Yup, I've been through the ringer :)
I'm crossing my fingers, but the Cimzia seems to be helping. I've had 3 doses now (it's an every 2 week injection), and I'm starting to have many more good days than bad! My severe hand / finger pain in almost nonexistent, after needing to wear IMAK gloves all day every day just to keep the pain and swelling to tolerable levels. I had the really bad hand inflammation for about 6 months.
GrumpyCat said:My, Marietta! You have been through it.
I'm so glad that you seem to have a doc who is on it and a wonderful husband to support you. I wish you the best with the new drug.
Hugs!
Grumpy
Just as an FYI, I am using Orencia sub Q injections. You can do 1 loading dose of Orencia via infusion or just go straight to injections. So keep Orencia in mind and perhaps it would be best for you to do injections weekly and skip the infusion. I skipped the infusioon and I am seeing some relief at 4 months. It takes longer if you skip the infusion, I am uninsured and couldn't afford it. I am getting Orencia for free through their patient assistance program. They have been great!
I had no idea Orencia was now available in injection form. I haven't tried it because I had a very bad reaction to Remicade infusions (anaphylactic shock on the 3rd infusion) and frankly I didn't want to deal with infusions again. Thanks for the info, it adds one more option for me :)
debbie said:
Just as an FYI, I am using Orencia sub Q injections. You can do 1 loading dose of Orencia via infusion or just go straight to injections. So keep Orencia in mind and perhaps it would be best for you to do injections weekly and skip the infusion. I skipped the infusioon and I am seeing some relief at 4 months. It takes longer if you skip the infusion, I am uninsured and couldn't afford it. I am getting Orencia for free through their patient assistance program. They have been great!
Marietta - Keep us updated on the Cimzia please. It is something many of us are looking at in the future. It is nice to get some first hand reporting instead of reading the companies point of view (in a colorful brochure with lots of smiling people). I like getting information from people who are using the medications and I look at the science behind the medication. I stay away from the pharma hype.
How are you feeling now? How do you feel it compares to the other Bio's you have used?
I am having more good days than bad on the Cimzia. One thing I noticed within the first week was a reduction in systemic symptoms... my fatigue is less, full body tendon pain is less. Over time, several of my joints (feet, ankles, knees) have improved quite a bit. Hands have improved some (a lot less pain, but still problems there). My back and neck have gotten involved for the first time ever (I have another post about that), but I think that has been coming on for awhile and is unrelated to the Cimzia.
I like that it is an every 2 week injection, and unlike many other biologics that I needed to increase the dose (more frequency) because my body flushes it so quickly, I haven't noticed any lessening of treatment prior to the next injection. This is major for me.
The syringe is an OXO GoodGrips syringe, very nice for sore hands (though hard to stuff in a sharps container!). The injection itself is painless, and I've had no injection site reactions. I feel like I'm injecting saline, honestly, but I have had improvements!
I don't know if I mentioned, I am also taking Arava. I've been on it about a year, and it helps about 20% with my symptoms.
debbie said:
Marietta - Keep us updated on the Cimzia please. It is something many of us are looking at in the future. It is nice to get some first hand reporting instead of reading the companies point of view (in a colorful brochure with lots of smiling people). I like getting information from people who are using the medications and I look at the science behind the medication. I stay away from the pharma hype.
How are you feeling now? How do you feel it compares to the other Bio's you have used?