Has anyone had experience with having takenTocilizuma... - NRAS

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Has anyone had experience with having takenTocilizumab or Abatacept?

asasmum profile image
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I have been asked to consider having the above medication after 3 biologic failures. Is anyone on the above meds or have any knowledge/experience of taking them?

I have just come off Cimzia,not worked and too many side effects to mention!

Many thanks

Asa's mum xx

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little_em18 profile image
little_em18

Hello! I currently take Abatacept once a month :) I failed on several other Anti TNF therapies such as Enbrel and Humira and that is why I was put on it. I was quite unwell this time last year so was also on a lot of oral steroids to try and quicken up the process. In my opinion, it took a long time for the Abatacept to start working (almost 6 months before I felt any effects) but if you keep at it then eventually you will feel the results of it. With every dose that I have at the moment, I have to have an infusion of steroids as well. This was initially the plan to try and speed up the process of the Abatacept working but it has taken a long time to try and cut down the dose and Im still trying to come off the steroids. What I would say is that everyone responds to drugs differently. If youre put on Abatacept, you might feel the effects quicker than I did :) I would also ask your consultant for some more information on the drugs (they have specific leaflets for each of them) just so you can decide whether you want to try it or not. In terms of side effects etc, I have never had any side effects from the Anti TNF therapies that I have been on, infact that makes them one of my favourite drugs because of that reason! (Sounds a bit weird I know :P). I would definitely have a proper sit down talk with your consultant though before you rush into any decisions and make sure that youre completely happy with the process and the drug :)

Hopefully that might give you a bit more information. Let me know if you have any other questions about Abatacept and hopefully Ill be able to help! :) x

Victoria-NRAS profile image
Victoria-NRASPartnerModeratorNRAS

Hi Asa's mum

Have you read our articles on these drugs? You can view them on the following page of our website:

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

Kind regards

Victoria

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