Surprise

[Eiram50]

After receiving a letter about three weeks ago, telling me I’d be moved from enbrel to a biosimilar, I was surprised to get a telephone message on Tuesday asking me to contact my hospital.

On calling them, in short, I was informed that due to money saved there was to be a biological consultancy service established and that it was felt, as my disease was yet to be found able to control, that I might benefit from said service.

I have an appointment due tomorrow morning and I’m told my joints will all be checked, I’ll have X-rays etc and they will definitely be putting me on some other biologic.

Anyone had a similar call/ experience?

I’m hoping this will be something positive!

Hope everyone is as good as can be today.

Marie

[Hidden]

Hi Marie - I'm not in the UK, but that sounds a little scary, yes? Here's hoping that it is better than you expect..

[Eiram50 in reply to Hidden]

God, I hope it’s a positive thing. My body is crumbling so something needs to change!

Marie

[Hidden]

Hi Eiram, Most hospitals are changing to bio-similars for RA and other conditions. As your hospital stated, the Bio-similars are cheaper than Biologics, which are now off licence, which allows other drugs companies to produce the same drug, under a different name. I (and many others) had Rituximab, but my next treatment will be with Truxima. Etanercept is now Benpali for example. New patients will be offered the Bio-similars right from the start. I hope our treatment is successful for you.

[Eiram50 in reply to Hidden]

Hi

Thank you for your response. I have maybe been unclear in my post. I was to be given a biosimilar but now, I will not be but will be given another biologic.

[Jewels94]

Hi Marie. I would see it as a positive as it looks like they’re aware etanercept is not working efficiently for you and they want to try and find something that does work. The fact that you’re going to have X-rays and all your joints checked looks like that they’re taking the fact that you’re not controlled yet seriously. Good luck with it.

Julie xx

[Eiram50 in reply to Jewels94]

That’s my hope. I’ve had 3 different biological, sulpha, steroids, methotrexate, leflunomide- nothing has made any real difference abs I’m now due more surgery so any hope, however small, I’m going to cling too!

Thank you fir your response.

Marie

[Matalow]

Hi Marie, just a different slant on previous posts. I saw a specialist nurse this week and she flagged up that bio similars were now becoming available. She pointed out that biological are not always constant as they are produced from cells. Biosimilars should be constant. I’ve no problems with this as I know my Humira is terribley expensive, if I can get the same relief with a alternative all to the good .Pleased they are giving you a full M.O.T. hope you get some relief. By the way has enyone had new shoulder joints? It’s looking that it’s a possibility for me.

Kind regards Mike

[Eiram50 in reply to Matalow]

Thanks mike.

I too have no issue with biosimilars but she was clear I wouldn’t now be getting this. I’ll just need to wait and see how it all pans out.

Sorry, I dint know much about shoulder replacements and sorry to hear that this is a reality for you.

Take care

Marie