Imraldi injections and increased pain

[Barb66]

Has anyone else experienced increased pain and fatigue after starting imraldi or any other biologic/biosimilar?

I’ve now taken 3 injections of imraldi 40mgs and am 5 weeks into treatment and have so much pain in my hands and feet that I’m taking cocodamol 3/4 times a day and feel so tired and fuzzy headed I haven’t been able to go into work.

I’m thinking of going back onto prednisalone for a couple of weeks to give myself a break and discussing an alternative biologic with my rheumatologist?

What experiences have other people had?

[JFlay]

Hi Barb66,

I can't comment on your post as I'm not on biologics but just wanted to say what a lovely photo! 😀

[Barb66 in reply to JFlay]

That’s very nice of you 😊

[Hidden]

That is a lovely photograph.

I am on imraldi and it is making me tired and hungry

[Yogi-bear123]

I got flares with injected biologics of various intensity! Am now on tofacitinib which is a JAC inhibitor and is a pill... not perfect but the best I’ve been... Looks like everyone reacts to each drug differently. Good luck and hope u find the right one for u.

[Barb66 in reply to Yogi-bear123]

Thank you and do you feel more ‘normal’ on tofacitinib? xx

[Yogi-bear123 in reply to Barb66]

Yes I do. Compared to how I was , miles better. Still having times when I’m stiffer than usual and feel flarey. ( doing too much... weather change) But I am trying to come off my steroids now. Been on them for 3 years so is tough,down to 4.5 mg. Think it really is a question of finding a drug that a) works for u and b) that u can tolerate. Not sure I’m ever going to find something that takes all symptoms away all the time so just happy that I’ve found a drug that helps me to get on with life.

[Hidden]

Imraldi crap is keeping me awake and messing g with my sleep, ready for bed by 9 and up at 3am. For someone who seldom perspires I look as though I have entered a wet tee shirt competition as soon as I do any manual work.

Aching all over, just hoping it will settle down, I need a Tesla but not sure how auto drive will work on Devon sheep trails

[Barb66 in reply to Hidden]

Oh dear Minty Im sorry to hear that. It sounds like a rerun of my menopause! How unpleasant for you. Are your pain and fatigue levels any better though? And how long have you been on

Imraldi? Xx

[Hidden in reply to Barb66]

It am so stiff but it has to be better as reducing my pill intake

[Hessie5]

I seem to feel worse post injections with sore and tender hands and ankles. I am left feeling what’s the point of injecting when I feel worse than better.

After a few days things ease somewhat - despite a horrendous flare in thumb on Tuesday.

I thought biologics were suppose to cure the pain and joint soreness but not in my case. This is my seventh biologic and haven’t the energy to go for yet another.

All the best to you - Hessie 😌

[Juliachoo in reply to Hessie5]

Aww dear I so hope you improve soon.. we all start biologics with such high hopes don’t we? Xx

[Barb66]

Thanks for your message Hessie5 it’s such a relief to hear I’m not the only one doing worse on biologics. I’m sorry though you’ve had such a hard time on them and had 7 different ones? Are there any other options for you?

Like you I seem to worsen in the first 24hours and then as it wears off I feel a bit better. This week though I’ve had a bit of a lift in that a week after my 2 weekly injection of imraldi I did feel the pain ease quite a bit. That’s my 3rd injection so I’m plodding on till my rheumatology appointment in 6 weeks time and hoping..... xxx

[Juliachoo]

Hi Barb, I am due my second Imraldi injection next Tuesday...a bit concerned that you are having side effects after 3 injections. Overall since my first one on 6th August I have had more energy & less pain in hands, wrists & knees although I had two incidents of severe, debilitating headaches & one 13hr crash out! Do you mind if I follow you as very interested how you get on? Juliax

[Barb66 in reply to Juliachoo]

I’m flattered 😊

[Juliachoo in reply to Barb66]

😂 haha that’s alright then! I hope you start to feel better soon, you’re a week & a half in front of me! Xx

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm new to ra, having my first imraldi jab soon and just read your year old post regarding imraldi.

Please let me know how you got on.

I do hope that your symptoms have improved for you.

Take care

[Barb66 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Flipper1234 I took it for 6 months and continued to feel more and more unwell. I think it either works for you or it doesn’t and I fell into the latter.

The good news is I started on a new biologic Orencia in Jan this year and have never felt so well! I think being in lockdown, giving up sugar and taking up yoga via Zoom have all helped, but by the end of April this year, I was so much better that I’ve been able to take up alot of activities that I’d given up on like swimming, knitting and housework.

I am so relieved to be feeling better 4 years after my diagnosis. I still have RA and have to manage myself carefully. It only takes a week of sugar and stress to have me back in bed exhausted, but the pain is so much better and after a weekend’s bed I’m back on track. I also found a counsellor to help me manage my work stress and that has helped too.

Good luck with imraldi. It’s worked for a lot of people, but my advise would be if after a couple of months you’re no better or even worse, I’d ask for a change. I left it far too long to complain and effectively lost 9 months of my life.

[Hidden in reply to Barb66]

So glad for you.

Great advice re not waiting too long if no positive changes.

Enjoy your activities.

[Hessie5 in reply to Barb66]

Hi - I am Orencia, it’s been over a year now. Although I still have the sore left hand, which I pray it’s not losing its efficacy, it’s been a game-changer thus far. Do you take yours with anything other? As I am supposed to, but the top-up tablets was causing me to have tingles - so I decided to stick with the mono treatment until I see my Rheumy in December.

Hope it continues to work well for you 😌

[Hidden]

Hi, how did you get on with imraldi.

I'm due 1st jab in 2 weeks and am hoping that all went well for you

Take care