How much choice did you get when choosing which anti tnf?

[mrsb]

I've been told by my nurse that patient choice is important when choosing which anti tnf to start on, she gave me some leaflets which seem to be the same other than the names of the drugs. I'm left a litlle confused to say the least.

Thanks

Clare

[Hidden]

lots of people on here can help.. Ive never had the honour of anti tnf.. let alone the choice.. !!enbrel is often a good one to start with.. but other people will advise alison

[Hidden]

Hi Clare, I had the same issue a few months ago I couldn't really find much difference no matter how much I researched. I chose enbrel because it was weekly and the only difference I could find was people saying the two weekly ones or monthly ones they started to flare towards when they were due there next injection.

[Hidden]

GOod luck in choosing the right one for you x

[Hidden]

Hi Clare, having had RA a long time was never in the position to have a choice in treatment I just had to have the next treatment as they became licensed.

However, I have tried Infliximab which is an infusion every 6-8 weeks. Then I tried Enbrel which is an injection, then Humira which is also an injection, I presume that those are the three choices you have been given, you just have to go for the one that you feel will suit you, difficult choice I know especially when we don't no much about them. All you can do is have a research yourself or talk to your consultant/nurse.

Good luck with your choice.

mand xx

[Gina_K]

Hi Claire,

I was given choice between Embrel & Humira, same as you leaflets, chose Humira because of the support offered by Abbott and also injection every second week. I have had good results so far. Good Luck!

[cathie]

i was given inflixiimab after a bit of a battle to get a med which would do something. No choice, it was the consultant's decision. Its still working and I'm OK most of the time. About ten years in ...

One thing you might ask about is the regulations about the timing of your infusion/ injection and your annual flu injection (if you have one). I was told I'd have to wait 6 weeks after my flu jab before my next infliximab, so that's something to be aware of.

Good luck, I hope what you choose really helps!

[Ailsa-NRAS Partner NRAS]

Hi, it might be helpful to you to ask our helpline for a copy of our Biologics Guide. The Anti-TNFs all have similar levels of efficacy and safety. You need to consider mode of administration and frequency of dose and how those differ between the drugs and which might best suit your lifestyle. Golimumab (Simponi) is the latest TNF to be passed for use by NICE today. There will be a press release on our website shortly. If you need any additional help, do phone our helpline. We can also put you in touch with a volunteer who is on TNF if that would help to speak to someone.

Good luck,

Ailsa (NRAS CEO)

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Hi I was given leaflets on infliximab, humira, embrel. Like others I couldn't really make a choice between them, but then found I didn't have to. When I went back for appointment with consultant he had asked the nurse to see me and instructed her to start me on Cimzia, discovered from Healthcare nurse this was because it was on special offer, first twelve weeks free. Been on it for 6 weeks and no improvement at all.

Sue x

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hang in there Sue there's still time, I take Rituximab and that takes up to four months for that to work on me. Don't no of course how long it should take for cimzia to work.

I think that's the worse part of the drugs, waiting for them to work. Hope your feeling better as I know you've not felt well of late, take care Sue.

mand xx