Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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MaryPop 07/14/2013

A few questions if you don't mind for those using Actemra infusions:
1) How's it working for you?
2) Are you on low dose or high dose?
3) How soon after you have an infusion do you notice improvement and how long does the improvement last?

Have had my 4th infusion, 7 days after I feel fantastic for about 7-10 days then the aches, pains, and swelling start to creep back in. May need to discuss increasing dose with rheumy.

Thank you in advance for your feedback!

Angelpuss 07/15/2013

I'm glad you posted this, MaryPop. I think this will be my next step after Enbrel and Orencia injections so I'll be interested to see answers to your post.

I would be happy to feel fantastic even if it were for only 7 days a month.

So pleased to see you are getting some relief - it gives me hope.
Hugs

deleted_user 07/15/2013

I'll be starting soon.

deleted_user 07/15/2013

I've had 6 Actemra infusions. I am now pain free.

trinaunz 07/15/2013

Hi @MaryPop - are you taking other meds besides Actemra? For me, Actemra alone staves off flares in the major joints, but for relief in my hands and feet, I need mtx, 5-10 mgs of prednisone depending on the day, and 800 mgs of naproxen. I'm at the maximum dose (somewhere north of 800 mgs). Improvement lasts anywhere from 3-6 weeks.

Christine26 07/17/2013

Hi MaryPop, I hope you do well on this medication. This is one of the few I have not been placed on as of yet, but do have an interest in knowing how others are doing with it. Hope this works for you. Keep us posted.

MaryPop 07/18/2013

Karenk63 - That is awesome!!! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I have the same results. Do you mind sharing if you are on the high or low dose?

Trinaunz - I am also on MTX 20mg injections weekly as well as the usual folic acid and Vit B12 supplements

Christina26 - Thank you for the words of support and encouragement!

Today is day 17 post infusion and the aches and pains are rearing their ugly head again - right on schedule unfortunately! However, we've had quite a bit or rainly weather this week and I've felt great until today. I remain hopeful!

deleted_user 07/19/2013

MaryPop, my first infusion was at the lower dose and then I was moved up to the higher dosage. I am now taking 200mg hydrochlor per day and the infusions every 4 weeks. I did one course of prednisone starting at 10mg per day and tapering off over a matter of 2 months. My crp started at 253 and now is at .4 I have meloxicam to take on an as needed basis.

bluedogs2 07/19/2013

MaryPop -

We wish you well on this new turn in the road and hop with our strength that you become pain free

Peace

MBDs2 and Bluedogs2

bluedogs2 07/19/2013

Please make that hope and not hop (stupid computer can't spell squat)

Blue

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