RA treatments

[StrugglingwithRA]

Hi I was diagnosed with RA 2.5 years ago and I will be starting either rituximab or abatacept in August. Has anyone else had either of these treatments that could tell me what to expect? Thank you

[physicalwreck]

Hi iwas on Retuximab for six years it gave me my life back and i had no bad side effects . Sadly i have just been taken of it as it was loosing its affect . I do hope you benefit from it as much as i did if they put you on it

[sunnyweek]

Hello I've had retuximab, have not heard of the other you mention. If you are offered retuximab I can say from having had six infusions it has been excellent. I vary from about 8 months to a year between infusions.

It's given as a day case and each cycle is two infusions a fortnight apart. It's just a longish day each time so take something to occupy youself, and often the others there will chat with you. Once the canula is in place the nurses check you every half hour. I've had no side effects, touch wood.

Good luck with whatever is suggested I'm sure you will benefit and its nothing to bother about. x

[28maggie11]

I am only on rituximab having had bad side effects on other biologics. Had two treatments so far no side effects. Each time some other part of my body has eased. Next time I hope my left shoulder eased. I was really scared but no problems. Good luck

[Simba1992]

Hello SwRA,

It's very hard to know beforehand how you will react to different biologics, since our reactions are very individual. What works really well for someone may not work for someone else. However by looking at a wider populattion you can see some differences in effect and adverse effects. This cochran review can perhaps help you understand some differences . Good luck. Simba

cochrane.org/CD007848/MUSKE...