Hiya I'm in need of some advice RA for 7 yrs n fibro ... - NRAS
Hiya I'm in need of some advice RA for 7 yrs n fibro for 5yrs n I'm going to my Consultant 2mw to start Biological treatment any advice jx
When I was first introduced to biologicals by my consultant we discussed which type and how they were given and then given leaflets on a couple to take home and read before agreeing to which one we would try as there are quite a few.
My advice would be to just read the leaflets and then do your homework. Maybe ask others on here how they have got on with the one you decide on but bear in mind we are all different.
It took a while before I was able to be put on the first one I wasn't given it straight away as they had to get funding agreement (I think that's the best way to describe that) at least it did for me, others may have been different. So you will have plenty of time.
Hope this helps (this is only my history so others may have got it quicker but it took about 3 to 6 months before I was given the first one).
Judi xxxxxx
Hello!
Firs,t just to say good look with your consultant appt tomorrow. You don't say which biologic you will be starting, or how far through the process you are, but as Judi says, it can take a while for the assessments and the administrative and funding stuff to be sorted so you can get started.
Before you can start on biologics, you will usually have to have a DAS (disease activity score) test, blood tests, chest x-rays and a test for latent TB (if you can show that you have had a negative TB test previously you may not need another). Then, depending on the funding situation in your area, there might be a wait whilst permission is sought and hopefully granted. After that it can take a while to get the appointments and/or drug deliveries sorted too so patience is definitely needed!
As you may know already, the different biologics are administered in different ways - some are given in hopsital as an infusion (the timescale depends on which drug) and some are injected -either self injected or injected by the hospital or GP if people are unable to do it themselves. If you are given a choice of biologics, you will need to take into account the way they are given - doing it yourself can be more convenient and reduce the number of hospital visits, but on the other hand you might prefer to have the support and companionship of having infusions at the hospital. I have done both and, for me, the infusions are definitely preferable because you are not on your own - I found self-injection and "being left to get on with it" with little support very isolating.
I am on my third biologic now (Rituximab) having had Infliximab Infusions and Humira injections in the past. Infliximab was absolutely brilliant for me and gave me 5 virtually RA free years! Humira didn't work quite as well for me - although if I hadn't been "spoiled" by the Infliximab I would have thought it was the best thing since sliced bread! Unfortunately I became allergic to both over time and had to stop. Rituximab has given me no problems so far but is very slow to work so the jury is still out on that one. (I don't think Rituximab is usually given as a first biologic so I think it's unlikely you will be offered Ritux at this stage).
I don't know if any of that is helpful but really hope that you are able to get going on one of the biologics sooner rather than later, and that it helps you as much as they have done me over the years.
Tillyx
Hi ..after having numerous drugs for RA over 6 years, I went on MTX and then humira..I chose humira as it was 1 injection every two weeks plus made up of only human antibodies, been on humira and MTX for over 4 years....has given me my life back. My husband has to inject me with the pen I'm a coward with injections, it does sting but well worth it...hope this is of some help
I went on Cimzia in June, and at the Biologic clinic where it was prescribed I first saw the consultant who did some of the paperwork (I'd already had the preliminary tests etc as Tillytop explained) and then I saw a clinical pharmacist who went through the ins and outs of the drug and I could ask all my questions about it. Then the paperwork went away and the deliveries were organised. A nurse came to my house (by appointment) to show me how to do the injections. So it was a couple of weeks after the appointment that I actually started the drug. By the way, I didn't get a choice on which drug I was given
good luck tomorrow, I'm on one called enbrel, this has been amazing for me, I am 90% better 
hope they work as well for you.
I was diagnosed with fybro 10 years ago, RA only 2 and a half years, although it doesn't treat the fybro, my fybro has remained under control; for me it appears when I'm anxious or worried, I was confident when starting my biologic and conviinced myself it would work, this helped the fybro side of things.
hope I;m making sense!
You are really lucky to be offered one of the biologics - they don't give them out in the NHS anywhere near as often as in other countries, and they can be real life changers for some people. Good luck with it and I hope it is a miracle drug for you, as it is for a lot of folk.
The only real advice I would give you is to keep in touch with either the rheumatologist or a specialist rheumatology nurse once you are on it, and if you notice anything unusual at all, be sure to report it to them (as there can be some rare and unusual effects of these drugs).
