my next treatment is infliximab, any help and expieriences grateful

any help negative or positive .. please let me know what you think very much appreciated am scared to say the least every drug i have just gets stronger and more side affects xxx

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You could try messaging Lyn/Cece/ mand etc who sre very good with technical knowledge. Hope they dont mind but some of us Newbys are less experienced with personal experiences of Anti TNFs. Pehaps cos we havnt been on them l;ong or are waiting to go on them.

xx fiona

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Hi Annra, I've been on Infliximab but it didn't suit me I had a reaction to it. But that's just me I've had reactions to other drugs too I know many people who do very well on this drug and have done for years.

Everyone is different where drugs are concerned what suits some doesn't suit others, you will be very well monitored on whatever drug you take so don't worry to much about it.

Take care

mand xx

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hi mand and thank you for your reply.i have had reactions to soo many drugs its making me ill to try anything else but i have toooo , again thank you and well i hope 1 drug will help you xxxxx

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everyone is different in that some people are sensitive. react to certain drugs.. discuss your concerns with your team.. read the side effect leaflet carefully.. I would personaly be prepared to give it a try , especially if you have tried two or three dmards eg, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulphasalazine, leflumomide or gold.. first.. ,then if none of these work or suit ,it is time to move move on.. I speak form personal experience as a patient,, and a a fully trained, qualified member of a hospital pharmacy team. I am trying gold as my third and final dmard. alison bamford(member of the genral pharmaceutical council, formerly known as the royal pharmaceutical society)

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I had infliximab & it worked really well for about a year, great to be painfree almost & no swollen red joints. Know someone else who its working brillantly for. we are all different though.

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Hi Annra, Ive not had this treatment but I know how worried you are feeling as I too have just had to start anti tnf treatment.

Good Luck and try to look at the positives off the treatment and not the negatives

Julie x

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thank you julie its scarey,well to me it is all this treatment now reduces immune system so its a case of do you feel lucky

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I've had Infliximab but it lost its efficacy after 12 months and I changed to Enbrel. It was an excellent drug though and for me no side effects.

That said it doesn't suit everyone. Enbrel and Humira are similar anti-tnf treatments to Infliximab and it may come down to which one your rheumatologist prefers you to have being fully aware of your disease history. Anti-tnfs are not for everyone and often a combination of DMARD therapies will work equally well and with better known long term outcomes.

You do need to be fully aware of the drug and what it offers you, as well as side effects, frequency, intolerances etc . Do you want regular infusions through your hospital or would you be happier self injecting? These are the sort of things you should be considering.

Here's a link to the Remicade website remicade.com/

We are all in the same position as regards drug therapy. Each change in therapy moves us onto the next stage of treatment. At least there are wonderful drugs available which do slow down the progression of the disease and ultimately the effects of long term joint damage.

Hope this helps.

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Enbrel is the anti tnf I am currently on 3 weeks in. No improvement yet but I still have hope.

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Hi Julie

It can take 2-3 months to take effect; it needs time to build up in your system Good luck!

Lyn x

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Hang on in there Julie still time for it to work.

Take care

mand xx