anti-TNF TEATMENT?

[KAIZER123]

hi, new member here. had Crohns disease fo 50 years. Diagnosed with RA 1 year ago. Beenon Sulphasalaine for 6 months wih no effect. Now on Methotrexate for last 2 months. Nobenefit as yet. Still in lot of pain. Anybody elso got Crohns as well as RA? Do you think any link. Last of all anybody know what anti--TNF treatment is? MY consultant has said this is a possible future treatment.

[Barrister]

Anti TNF treatment means biologics. And inflammatory bowel disease often goes alongside RA. I have colitis and Psoriatic Arthritis which apparently often goes together. Autoimmune disorders like company so if you have one then you will often develop another. I inject Methotrexate and Benepali (biologic drug).

Clemmie

[helixhelix]

Agree with Barrister, auto immune diseases hunt in packs,so quite common to have more than one.

The anti-tnfs are a group of the newer biologic drugs. These are drugs that are created from living material in a laboratory, rather than chemicals, so are more like antibodies. For some people they are magical, but for other just mean endless infections. As with all the other RA drugs the only option is to try.

What dose of MTX are you on? For me it took months to build up and work.

[charisma]

Hi, welcome to the NRAS community here.

Methotrexate, like other DMARD drugs, usually takes at least three months to help you feel better ie effectively reduce inflammation and pain. Do you have any pain medicine to help you get through?

In order to be approved for anti TNF drugs, it is usually clear that three DMARDs have been tried and failed or were unsuitable.

No doubt all this is more difficult when IBS or Crohn’s is involved too.

The best source of advice is your Rheumatology specialists who know your medical history, symptoms etc.

Wishing you all the best as you seek to get disease controlled and a better level of comfort.

[HappykindaGal]

A lady who works for me has Crohns and takes the same biologics as I do and they help her. I assume that means they are pretty much interchangeable.

[Jabecoli]

My husband took Benepali (anti TNF, biologics drug), for some time and it was fantastic but unfortunately it has unmasked multiple sclerosis so he is unable to take it anymore. Make sure you are screened for any underlying problems, as my Husband wasn’t!!!!

[stbernhard]

My advice is to look up Anti-TNF on the NRAS website. All drugs used to treat RA are described in detail there. Good luck for your future treatment.