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...
Hi everyone,
I had my first infusion of Actemra on Friday. My doc started me on the higher, 8mg/kg dose. The infusion itself went fine- no reactions or nausea. But this weekend has been pretty bad- I am in a full flare, with my shoulders, hips, and hands all hot and painful. My other meds include Plaquenil, Arava, and 10mg/day of prednisone, along with a time- released pain medication.
This is my sixth biologic. Several helped somewhat for a while, and some didn't work at all, but I've never felt like my joints were worse immediately after taking them. My question for everyone here- have you felt like any of the biologics made your joint symptoms worse? Or maybe it's just a coincidence, and the flare would have come on anyway? I appreciate any insight. Thanks!
Caren
I had my first infusion of Actemra on Friday. My doc started me on the higher, 8mg/kg dose. The infusion itself went fine- no reactions or nausea. But this weekend has been pretty bad- I am in a full flare, with my shoulders, hips, and hands all hot and painful. My other meds include Plaquenil, Arava, and 10mg/day of prednisone, along with a time- released pain medication.
This is my sixth biologic. Several helped somewhat for a while, and some didn't work at all, but I've never felt like my joints were worse immediately after taking them. My question for everyone here- have you felt like any of the biologics made your joint symptoms worse? Or maybe it's just a coincidence, and the flare would have come on anyway? I appreciate any insight. Thanks!
Caren
My suggestion would be to speak to your dr about prescribing a Medrol dose pack to get the current flare under control and then wait and watch over the coming weeks to see if you get improvement. I took Actemra for over a year and it worked the best of all the biologics I was on. It did take about 3-4 weeks before I felt better.
Took over 6 months to work.
Its only your first infusion, every bio takes at least 3 months to kick in. Except orencia, oh my gosh it takes forever, but will worth the wait.
Hope actemra works, don't give up yet. I'm rooting for you!
Lin
Caren
just wanted to give you a word of encouragement and not to loose hope. I started Actemra last year after failing Enbrel, Humira, Remicade and Orencia. After the first infusion I remember that I also felt worse, however after about the second week of the second month, I slowly started to notice improvements. I then started to get pain about a week before the next dose was due. This pattened continued with some overall improvements until about the 5 th month when I was feeling great, apart from the occasional niggle here and there.
Don't loose hope and be patient, it does take a few months before you can start to see the effects. I feel like I owe my life to Actemra, the difference has been life changing for my family and I.