Abatacept will be my 5th biologic 😕

Absolutely petrified of starting this new med as I reacted so badly to the last one and ended up in an ambulance to A&E. I wish I could cope without the treatments but know for a fact I cant. Had two days not able to walk and use my hands so it's a must. As anyone had good results from this injection or bad reactions x

[farm123]

This was also my 5th biologic (Enbrel 7 yrs, Humira 9 months, Ritux one cycle and Tociluzimab 3 infusions). I started in November 2013 and very very slowly things did improve. Added in 200mg hydroxychloroquine during June 14, had steroid injections into shoulder and knees in August 14 which helped things improved more. Had to stop March 15 due to knee replacement but back on now and although not 'normal' it is easier. It did take a long time to make significant improvements but persevered because there is not much else to try at the moment and 200mg hydroxy is the only DMARD my body appears to tolerate. Mine is sero negative inflammatory arthritis. Hope it works for you. Farm

[Hidden in reply to farm123]

Hi,thanks for your reply. I can only try it and hope for the best.the others worked I just reacted to them all 😕

[Hidden in reply to farm123]

Forgot to ask you if you have been prone to picking up infections on the biologics? X

[farm123 in reply to Hidden]

Mine is a syringe - it does have a spring on it that retracts the needle which I have found awkward. Take a few minutes to handle the syringe before injecting the first time. Have it out of the fridge for a while as well. I don't seem to pick up too many infections although after a cold my sinuses can take some time to clear.

[Jeanabelle60]

Hello, I was the same as you. I have been on Humira, Enbrel, Tocilamab, sorry about the spelling, and then finally Abatacept....I'm sero negative so that was my lot, nothing else for me now. Abatacept was great for me but after 18 months it too started to fade until I knew it was doing nothing for me.

I was with my Rheumy nurse yesterday and my team are looking at DMARDS again for me as I'm sinking fast and they don't want to keep upping steroids. I'm going to open a post today about treatments that have been suggested for some experiences and/or advice.

I hope you do as well on the Abatacept as I did and that it last for you. I had a very nice neighbour inject me every Monday......my hands won't do as I tell them anymore. Injection was no problem, all over in a second and then on with my life......all the best. J XX

[Hidden in reply to Jeanabelle60]

Oh I hope so,I need to get settled on something as methotrexate doesn't work alone on me. I was fine using the syringes but I'm petrified of the pens and find them difficult to use. How have you been with it lowering the immune system,have you been prone to picking infections up? x

[Jeanabelle60 in reply to Hidden]

I have to say that I haven't had any issues with infections at all during the time I was on Bio's or any of the drugs I've been on over the years, I had different reasons for having to come off different drugs. I can't take MTX as it attacks my liver. Humira worked really until I started projectile vomiting.......Enbrel caused a full body rash and didn't do a thing for my RD. Tocilimab was usless too but Abadecept was brilliant until it too stopped working. I think that inspite of RD I am a very very healthy woman, if that makes any sense! I have always prided myself in how hwalthy I was so you can imagine my shock when diagnoised with this pain in the arse (and everywhere else) disease.

[Hidden in reply to Jeanabelle60]

That's good to hear,I start over thinking what if this and that.the embrel was a fantastic drug for me but the same as you started having a swollen rash.took antistamene but then it got my throat and wouldn't allow me to stay on it😕 RA is the only thing I've suffered which to be fair is more than enough to cope with.woke up one night in extreme pain,passed out and ended up in hospital.rheumatoid flare in my shoulder so I wasn't even eased in gently in the smaller joints.here am 14years later with it in every joint and still suffering lol 😂 x

[Jeanabelle60 in reply to Hidden]

I don't think Abatacept comes in pen form, syringe only. The needle looks long but it is so fine that times I felt nothing at all. My neighnour was shown at our local hospital how to do it for me. Of course not being a professional there were times it stung a bit but over all it was mostly painless.....all the best.

[Hidden in reply to Jeanabelle60]

Oh I hope it is a syringe I would be fine using it.i find the biologics stingy meds.thanks for the advice it's been a help. I've been getting so anxious about trying another new one 😃 x

[Beaches2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi

I am on abatacept too. It is a syringe. I was really nervous as needle looked q long and never injected before. It is so easy....needle is so fine I don't feel it going in at all and no stinging.

I was upset when I read it takes 6months! But started working for me at about 3 months and works pretty well. Not back to normal but am still hopeful of further improvement.....almost 6 months now and I've read it can continue improving up to a year . Good luck, hope it works for you too x

[Hidden in reply to Beaches2]

Hi,oh I hope it work faster than that lol but glad it's a syringe. I inject methotrexate so used to injecting myself I just don't like the pens. Thank you 😃x

[Angels54 in reply to Jeanabelle60]

Yes it comes in pen form , much easier