Actemra Question | Arthritis Information
I know we have several people here taking Actemra, and I was just wondering if you've had any cholesterol problems. I saw my RD today, and we AGAIN talked about switching me from Simponi to Actemra, but he's hesitant because I already have high cholesterol, and he says the Actemra will only exacerbate the problem. He also says it wreaks havoc on the liver enzymes, and masks infection more than any of the other biologics. I've been on Simponi for well over a year, and it's just not cutting it for me...lot's of inflammation today, and my CRP was off the chart. His recommendation is to take my Simponi injections every two weeks (instead of monthly) and if that doesn't work out within the next couple of months, he'll consider Actemra again. I'd love to hear from those of you who are on it. I've already failed Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, Rituxan, and Orencia, and this is just getting really depressing.
Brisen2011-01-26 15:58:36Bumping this back up, since ronbn56 keeps knocking it down with his/her ignorant and false claims of a rheumatoid arthritis cure.
You might try and post this on the Arthritis Foundation board. I know there are several people using Actemra there.
Thanks Lynn...I'll definitely check it out!
My dr and I are also looking at Actemra. He says it's his least favorite of the meds due to its side effects. He also has had several patients have severe reactions and infections while taking it. Depending on how my lung function tests look, we may have to switch to it regardless. I, too, have been on all the others-very frustrating.I can not answer your question but I do hope you feel better soon. I have high cholesterol also. Hardening of the arteries runs in my family.
I hope that raising the Simponi offers you some relief. In time I think that science will come up with something for those that have run through the biologics without the results that the are looking for.
I do think a few people said they got good results from Actrema pretty quickly.
I am truely sorry to hear that you are having these problems. I hope things turn around for you quickly.
Hi Gale, I am not sure about the side effects, they take a lot of blood tests before every infusion, but I haven't seen any of the results -- it is time to ask. Had the 6th infusion last week, I have absolutely no lingering pain in any joints at all, the RA pain is completely gone. Last summer I could hardly walk, getting out of a chair was a major event. Again, I am on a trial examining Actemra combined with Methotraxate, so I am not sure exactly what I am getting, may be one or the other, or some combination.
Not sure about infections, but about 3 weeks ago I had a terrible case of montezuma's revenge -- perhaps some form of food poisoning. It lasted for close to a week, on and off, whereas my memory from past decades is that this would last for me for at most 2 days.
Hello
its kind of late and im not sure if you still need a reply, however I am on Actemra and have spoken to many patients on Actemra (in fact some who were part of the initial clinical trial that started 5 yrs ago). Many have found great success with Actemra with minimal side effects. I myself did experience a significant increase in cholesterol (both good and bad attributed to Actemra) but after 3 months cholesterol stabilized. Like any drug it takes time for the body to get used to. Other than that I have not experienced any real side effects. As for safety, from what I've read and been told by several Dr's it is relatively safe with less effects on the liver than MTX. I am currently at a dose higher than the max recmnd on the drug monograph (9mg/kg every 3.5 weeks). I have not gotten sick at all since being on Actemra and my blood work has all been fine. For me it has been a great drug so far.
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