Humira - what next?

[beckybooboo]

Hello all,

I have been on Humira for 4 months now and saw my Rheumy last month who suggested we try another 10 weeks and to start decreasing my steroids, but Humira just not working for me yet, well I did, got from 10mg to 2.5mg and BANG!!!!! Pain and stiffness everywhere was in bed for 2 days, felt awful

Couldn't take it anymore so increased back to 10mg 3 days ago and feel much better than I did, though still have pain but am able to cope.

My question is where do I go from here treatment wise? What is there after Humira??

my doctor said there are 3 more biologics to try, any thoughts and suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thank you xx

[Beverley-NRAS]

Hi beckybooboo,

There certainly are other biologics that may be available for you to try. There are guidelines laid out by NICE as to how they are prescribed if the first one does not work. I have put a link to the section on our website about medication that contains articles on the current biologics and a link to our publication on biologics:

nras.org.uk/medication

nras.org.uk/publications/bi...

hope this helps beckybooboo

Best wishes

Beverley (NRAS Helpline)

[Jeanabelle60]

Hello, I know how it feels when your first bio doesn't do the job you are so much hoping for. Humira did work almost right away for me. I was feeling great and then very suddenly one day I got this sort of strange feeling in my stomach and as I was making my way to a toilet I had projectile vomiting.......it lasted for about 10 minutes and by the end of it I was completely exhausted. I foned my Rheumy nurse as soon as I was able to and she told me to make my way to the Rheumy ward asap.

The result was that I was taken off Humira...to cut a long story short I was then put on Enbrel, that I also had a reaction to. Next was Tocililimab that had no effect on me whats so ever......I was then put on Abatacept infusions for 6 months and on weekly injections after that. As far as I was told, 2 years ago, that Abatacept was the last available drug for me. I'm sero negative and can't take MTX.

Abatacept, for me, has completely turned my life around. I am almost able to do everything I was able to do before I became ill 4 years ago. I have had only one serious flare at the beginning of the summer this year. I do have the odd day of fatigue and pain but nothing, absolutely nothing like I had before. I have a slight limp and my ands don't work a they used to but I can live with that and have adapted.

As I said, I have been on Abatacept for nearly 2 years now so there may be other Bio's available now that weren't when I needed an alternative. This site should be able to give you links to information concerning this. I wish you all the very best.......XX