Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment

[Sarja]

Advice Please....

[KittyJ]

What treatment are you asking about Sarja? Or is it treatment in general?

nras.org.uk/ra-medication

[Sarja in reply to KittyJ]

Hello KittyJ, below was my full post but as it’s my first time doing this, I think I may have posted it incorrectly! I was interested to hear from people who had used certolizumab pegol biologic injections. I have read up on RA & the various treatment options available, so just wanted to hear from those who’d already tried these injections which is the medication my doctor has recommended for me.

“I’ve been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, taken Sulfasalazine which did nothing to alleviate my symptoms & it’s been suggested I start on biologic therapy injections. Has anyone used certolizumab pegol & does it work? I’m currently not on any medication, however my symptoms are getting worse.. I’m in constant pain all over in muscles & joints.”

[KittyJ in reply to Sarja]

I’d maybe do a new post with the med name as a heading and asking what you would like to know 😊

[stbernhard]

KittyJ gave you good advice. The NRAS website and help line is the best place to start learning about RA by far. Apart from your medical team of course. All the best.

[Sarja in reply to stbernhard]

Thank you will check out

[rab1874]

Yes Sarja the NRAS website and speak to one off the advisors who have a wealth off information and it’s a disease that affects us all differently xxx

[Sarja in reply to rab1874]

Thank you

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Sarja. What specifically would you like to know? If you could expand please as there are many different meds to treat RD... DMARDs, anti-TNF'S, Biologics, Biosimilars, JAK inhibitors, if this is what you mean by treatment. Then there are what we often call add on's... NSAIDS, steroids etc.

If your Rheumy is considering changing your meds then he or your nurse should explain what's considered the most suitable & the best way forward for you. Meantime medicinal treatment for RD can be found on the NRAS site in videos covering each nras.org.uk/medication-videos

[Sarja]

Thank you

[Coriander18]

I'm new here to, and about 6+ years ago when Rheumy suggested I tried Certolizimub Pegol injections I came to a forum like this and someone wrote:

'It's worked so well I could kiss the packet.'

Well I was so glad I did because it has worked for me for 6 years.

Only 3 months ago have I started having pain back.

Hope if you choose it Cimzia works as well for you as it has for me.

[Sarja in reply to Coriander18]

Hello Coriander18 - thank you so much for answering my question with such a positive response. I am currently trying natural products such as Curcumin and CBD oil and gave also reduced diary consumption although not cut out completely and will continue to follow this treatment plan for the next 3-6 months as need to give it time to work. I will however, now def consider the Cimzia injections if I get to the stage that the pain is not really helped. Thanks again 🙂

[Coriander18]

Do ask others on this group about 'natural' treatments. There is someone in the group I go to that told us they wished they hadn't gone down that route as although the pain was lessenedinitially the disease process wasn't and she said if anyone in the group was going down that line to please think about the treatment being offered as you can't see what the disease is doing inside.

You are really lucky to be offered Cimzia early on. I heard from a NRAS meeting a pharmacist's talk that some of the people who were offered Cimzia early in the disease have come off it as the RA had gone completely into remission and they were following these people up very closely.

[Sarja in reply to Coriander18]

That is good to know and I do have to agree that the pain is lessened to a degree but not enough to not be thinking of alternative treatments. I will continue to read up on all I can about RA & hope that in the new year I can make a decision to start on the injections as natural products are not helping enough.... thank you again for your positive responses.