Do u know about this drug - Actemra ?

[Billlewis]

Actemra ?

I have had RA for many years now..... Just switched to this injection. Read up on this but just wanted to know if anyone has or uses this drug ? Let me know....... Bill

[Kirby5631]

Yes, I take Actemra weekly at home injections. I started out with Enbrel, then Humara to and now Actemra. I started with every other week and now I take it weekly. If Enbrel or Humara don't work they work on the TNF factor, you try Actemra which works on other RA type. I am probably doing a bad job explaining why some biologics work and why some don't basically it depends on the type of RA you have. I know Actemra is working cause when I come off of it for an infection I go into a major flare. It can take weeks to get it back under control. Good luck and sometimes you have to try different kinds of biologics to find the right one. I also take Imuran it is a pill 2x a say morning and night. Terrible disease, but stick with it and hopefully you will find something that will work. So far no side effects that I notice.

[Billlewis in reply to Kirby5631]

Kirby,

Thanks for info...... been on Enbrel for yrs then Humira beginning of this yr because of spikes in my blood work, to find out it never worked on me for months.... So now doc put me on this new drug " Actemra" so I hope this works for i was in a lot of pain for months. Now I need to catch up and get healthier. wish I could take this every week but doc wants to make sure no side effects 1st.

I am also on methotrexate and prednisone until this med kicks in.

Thanks and will keep in touch.......

[Karenmt]

Hi Bill-- I have been on Actemra for awhile (maybe 9 months), and used to take 6 Tramadols a day. Now I don't take any Tramadol except once in awhile I may take 1 or some Tylenol if I am hurting. I still have my everyday pain that always is there, but nothing I can't handle. I have been on tons of other meds, but right now, this is the one for me. I get infused once a month at my doctor's office. Hope this helps.

[Billlewis in reply to Karenmt]

Karenmt,

Thanks for info...... been on Enbrel for yrs then Humira beginning of this yr because of spikes in my blood work, to find out it never worked on me for months.... So now doc put me on this new drug " Actemra" so I hope this works for i was in a lot of pain for months. Now I need to catch up and get healthier. wish I could take this every week but doc wants to make sure no side effects 1st.

Only had 1 injection so far........ I am also on methotrexate and prednisone until this med kicks in.

Thanks and will keep in touch.......

[Karenmt in reply to Billlewis]

Hi again Bill--I had my Actemra infusion yesterday, got some foot xrays also and my bones are moving apart in my foot. I don't know the medical term but my 5 toes used to touch on my left foot like this IIIII , now there is a maybe half inch gap between them. III II ...this is how they look...lol. Dr says Actemra will hopefully stop the progression. Dear Lord, I would like just one day to feel good again......at least I don't have awful side effects from my meds.....Lord, bless us all.

[Melody123]

I tried it intravenous It didn't help and really raised my cholesterol The one that helped me was Orencia

[Karenmt in reply to Melody123]

I tried Orencia......did nothing for me at all.

[Melody123 in reply to Karenmt]

It took months but I noticed I was feeling worse before my infusions(every month). After three years of monthly infusions I am now on just methotrexate and sulfasalizine.

[Karenmt in reply to Melody123]

I take methotrexate, too. Never had sulfasalazine (I am allergic to sulfa, that's probably why).

[Deb-h]

I used it for almost a year. Had some good results. I have a problem with my body building immunities then rejecting the drugs. I have been in Remicade, Humira, Actemra, Orencia, Xeljam, etc... etc.. and now Rituxant (hateful drug). Learning to rest before you get worn out is the hardest for me. I am afraid to stop for fear of not being able to get going again. I'certainly been fighting the disease for 27 years.... not ever going to give up. It might win some battles but not the war.

[Karenmt in reply to Deb-h]

Don't ever give up.....don't surrender to this disease. and let it win. Why do you say Rituxan is a hateful drug? I have never been on it, but my dr tried to get me to take it. I had some intuition that I should stay away from it.....Did you have bad side effects?

[Deb-h in reply to Karenmt]

The first dose was long and painful... made my joints and muscles ache. Ran a fever. The second and third were much better

[Karenmt in reply to Deb-h]

How long was infusion? Could you feel it going in like potassium? That hurts like the devil.

[sjewell_77]

My body really responded to this med but unfortunately I'm allergic to it. I know several ppl who love it