I have changed biologics more than once. The first time, I felt relief within 1-2 weeks. The Rheum wanted me to be doing better, so every 4 months or so, he would switch my Rheum. On the first 3 biologics, my feet felt better quickly, hands, not as much. The next 2 biologics, my hands felt better, but my feet, not so much. With all, the relief I did get was fairly quick.

Now, I am on a biologic that helps my feet & hands equally. This kicked in within 3-4 weeks. It is an infusion, given every 4-6 months, in two doses (2 weeks apart). In December, I should have gone in about 2 weeks sooner. I was feeling horrible, resorted to prednisone, which I had wanted to avoid.It took about 3 weeks for it to kick back in.

I hope you feel better soon.

do you wish you had remained on the humira?

i don't want to say 3 to 6 months since you are suffering so.

break through flare maybe?

depot

Were you off Humira long enough for it to clear your system before starting Enbrel? You might just be in the nasty in-between phase. This might also be the realization that Humira was working better than you thought.

I'm on my third biologic. Neither of the first two did much good, and caused unacceptable side effects, so I only have experience with one actually working. It was slow: probably four or five months. That's Orencia, though, which has a reputation for being slow to kick in.

Sorry you're feeling so crummy.

Thanks for all your replies.

I'm not sure if I wish I would stayed on the Humira or not. I have been taking the steroid shots for the last 6 months and they seemed to be getting less effective as time goes on. I think the Humira was becoming less effective. Of course, who knows. This stupid disease can be so confusing.

I did not have any interruption between the Humira and Enbrel. I was taking the Humira weekly and just started the Enbrel the day my Humira was due. It also happened to be the day my next steroid injection was due as well. So, on 8-21 I had MTX, Enbrel and Kenalog. I have been taking the steroid every 6 weeks. I have no idea what kind of shape I would be in without the steroid. I don't think this is a break through flare.

I'm off to work today so we'll see how it goes. Thanks again.

I think all the biologics have different times they kick in. Kineret and Simponi were immediate. I didn't give Enbrel a chance because of the severe side effects.

Rituxan took me a full 3 months before it worked, which I was told might happen. Xeljanz was supposed to take 6 weeks, then my RD said 3 to 6 months - took me off of it at 5 months when it was obvious that the little relief it gave me was gone.

I am not excited to hear that Orencia is going to take a while. It is so long since I have been without terrible pain and flares, I can barely remember it. I guess it is good I am on disability, as I sure could not have worked this last year.

I hope you get through this switch.

By the way, Tramadol is a tricyclic anti-depressant. Sometimes these AD's work to block pain. I've been taking it for sleep for 20 years.It doesn't help me with the pain at all, but it does help with sleep. So not an RA drug at all.

Ignore my stupid comment about Tramadol. It is a pain med. I hope it helps.

I blame RA brain fog! That 's my story and I'm sticking to it!

hey buddha

what would be your option if the rituxan failed for you? (I hope it works for another 25 years for you)

depot

it does make my life boring, that's for sure. but I'm not much of a gambler. I am afraid to loose what little I have plus I have a bold fantasy life. at least once a day I spend 15 minutes fantasizing that I am super woman.

depot