Tocilizumab

[Susiequest]

Been on Bengali injections for several months with prednisalone thought the biological was working as I felt really well then had to taper off the steroids and back came the joint pain and swelling trying me on the tocilizumab has anyone else been on this biological ? Not able to tolerate any of the DMARDs had reactions to all of them .

[Pat9442]

I reacted to all the DMards! Benepali was great but stopped working after 10 months. Been on Tocilizumab for a year, injections first now 4 week infusions. No side effects and good results. Only down side was the rather nasty little refilled syringe which was had to press. I did not have enough power in my thumbs to do it,

[Susiequest in reply to Pat9442]

Thank you as I’ve had a rough time with DMARDs was worried about the next step x

[Allije in reply to Pat9442]

I too have had a good few years on Tocilizumab and am now n fortnightly injections. I heard from specialist nurse yesterday that it is now available in epi-pen style so should be much easier to use and at no extra cost apparently.

[roseyx]

Hi Susiequest, My story has been similar in that Benepali abruptly stopped working. After 5 months of real improvement all the swelling & pain returned. I was told it was due to my body creating antibodies to the med. I was then put on Tocilizumab which has been very good so far. Like the Benepali it started to have an effect after a couple of weeks, seems to have few obvious side effects, easy to inject, and after 3 months on it feel a lot better than I did in the gap between the two. My Gp told me there had just been an article in the Rheumatology Journal saying that Tocilizumab is now considered one of the two most effective treatment for RA. ( He couldn't remember the name of the other one )

[Metal-legs]

Hi Susie

I've been on tocilizumab injections for nearly four years. Apart from Enbrel it has been my most effective treatment yet. Like you I reacted to most of the DMARDS, only side effects I have from tox are blocked sinuses. Best of luck, I hope you get some relief.

[Susiequest in reply to Metal-legs]

Thank you for sharing x