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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stenvikm 04/30/2010

Nobody has been on this, posted yesturday but no replies. Thanks Marie

CharlieBaxter 05/01/2010

He there, I think the reason no one has responded is that Actemra is a new biologic, I have to be honest I had to research it to find information on it. http://www.drugdevelopment-technology.com/projects/actemra/
This web site has some good information on Actemra, it shows it as approved in Europe and Japan but only as Pre-Registered in the US. I have never read about it in Arthritis Today or any of my other Arthritis information. Don't know if it is getting wide usage in the US or not. Roche is the company making it and they have other players in the field. Maybe some else out there can tell us more. Are you taking it?? Keep me posted on your results if you are, I would be interested to know the results. I am on Remicade and of course since I have never been on anything else I don't know if I am experiencing full results or not. Maybe I just have to live with the stiffness and discomfort. Take Care, Chuck

deleted_user 05/01/2010

I have heard of this drug, do u knw how it is administered. I am currently on rituxan.

deleted_user 05/02/2010

Hi,

As far as I know, there have been 3 people on this site who have been on Actemra/Tocilizimab.

First lady, on drug trial in US for about 3 years. It apparently worked for her & gave her 'her life back'.
Second lady, had heart problems & stopped having Actemra.
I have been on it once but had severe reaction (some known & some unknown side-effects) including paralysis.

Please do a search using keyword 'actemra' on DS for more info.

Take care, Anna

lycesq 05/02/2010

I'm not sure but I think Doug, buddhacat, may have tried it. I know there have been replies to a similar post before. You might try searching the old posts to see what was brought up/posted then.

Lynne

lycesq 05/02/2010

Ok, I did some research for you and found at least two people who have been on it. AnnaOz was one (see her response) and the other was Deborahl2l5.

Hope it helps.

Lynne

deleted_user 05/03/2010

I just tried a new drug "cimzia" Inflamation is reduced. I've had ra for 20 yrs. tried every drug out there. Without Voltaren (an oldie) I cannot function. Cimzia cost $2,993.00 and as far as I'm concerned it's a $2,993. water pill.
I take 5 mg of prednisone (for 20 yrs.) & Voltaren and feel the same
pain, aches, swelling,etc. Food causes alot of pain when I eat improperly. So far nothing has helped in the way of bio drugs and some times it makes me worse. Had one knee replaced and need another
one. RA really stinks.

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