i take actemra and i've been really happy w it. i recommend trying a vectra-DA test to see whether you're overproducing IL-6 proteins. if you don't have overproduction of those, it's unlikely you'll respond to actemra - that's what it's designed to deal with.

here's the link to the vectra DA test. my insurance covered 80% of it and crescendo bioscience waived another 10% - out of pocket was like $95, but so worth it. btw - i'm not affiliated in any way with crescendo - just a fan of their work:

http://www.vectra-da.com/

Interesting about your reference to actemra. That's next on my list if my second time around with enbrel does not work. Rheumatologist did not suggest Vectra-DA test. In fact I said I wish there were tests to see what proteins in t-cells were affected by Ra and he just agreed.

Thank you trina for info about actemra and Vectra Da test. I'm asking rheumy about that if and when enbrel does not work.

Do you have any side effects from actemra?

@wendy - i have absolutely no side effects so far - have had 4 infusions, began in sept. i'm sure i'm one of the lucky ones. my dr is monitoring my blood work for an allergen marker, can't remember what it is...but that number is coming up some. otherwise, no probs.

what worried me most before i started actemra was diverticulitis - i've read that folks taking actemra are esp vulnerable to that. i consulted w a GI specialist before starting treatment who said "you can only have diverticulitis if you have have existing pouches in your intestines. he was able to tell me my risk of that was quite low and he recommended going forward w treatment.

I start my actemera infusion tomorrow.... these are the first POSITIVE responses I have seen about the infusion.... my body has rejected so many treatments, and I have been so worried about this one.... hoping it goes well and is THE ONE, as it is the last treatment we have to pull from..... thanks trina

I've just had my second infusion, so far, so good. I am feeling ALOT better - my wrists are still a bit sore and my TMJs are still horrific, but my rheumy is expecting it to take 6mo for those to settle down due to my severity. Otherwise, I am down to 5mg or less pred per day and that is it. Also my ESR and CRP have dropped back down to normal ranges (from 96 and 42), although this is typical apparently - the real gauge is how I am feeling. I have been feeling a bit "buzzy", but perhaps that is just down to forgetting what it is like to have energy. The Vectra test is not yet available in Australia, I would have liked to do that first.

According to my rheumy, only a tiny minority of patients do not respond to Actemra, and less than 10% fail to continue to respond after a few months.

trinaunz, could you find out what that allergen marker is? TIA! :-)

Kam