Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives AS Pharmacy Question- which biologic to start with?

I have the unusual opportunity to give input into which of the biologics to start on. I am listing my meds and hoping that the folks here can help me make an educated guess as to what to start on.

I have fusion in my neck (quite a bit) and lumbar that we know of. There will be more tests later to establish extent of damage but for now the doc wants to get some quality of life back for me first.

Taking ssz 1000mg Am 1000mg PM, Tramadol 100mg AM 100mg Noon 100mg (If needed) 5 PM, Aleve 440 mg AM & PM, trazadone 50mg PM and cal/mad/zinc/D supp. AM & PM.

Your suggestions is greatly appreciated!

Anna

I picked my TNF so I am not sure it is that unusual a situation.

I looked at dosing intervals frankly. I wanted convenience as I don't see a huge difference in how well they work. Picking the right one seems like a crapshoot. to me. I went with simponi due to the once a month shot. I didn't have to keep more shots in fridge or worry about that traveling with it. I pick it up at the pharmacy, get home and shoot up for a month.

The drawback to that is that if I get an infection or have a problem it is in my system for a month rather than the week enbrel or two week humira stays.

On a whim I guess I hope the newest one is the best one and that they learned from the others but I know that is not always true LOL

best of luck

Drizzit-
Thank you for your input. I certainly can't find fault with your reasoning. Were you worried at all about an allergic reaction and it taking longer to get the med out of your system if you did?

So much to consider- Thank you again, it is really nice to have other AS'ers to discuss options with.

Anna

yes I was a bit worried. I had a nasty reaction to Sulfasalazine that put me in the hospital for 3 days so I know about reactions.

Looking at the studies though the odds seemed like they were greatly in my favor and so off I went.

Not totally on point, but I wish, wish that I had the shingles vaccine before starting my biologic 6 weeks ago. I understand that all of us on bio meds are at a greater risk of getting shingles. So if you have had the chicken poxs as a child then talk to your doctor about getting the shingles vaccine before starting your bio med. The vacine is a LIVE vaccine so once you are on the bio med you cannot have it. Just my two cents. . .

Oh ! Wow, I had not thought about that one- good call! I will ask about that. Thank you so much for mentioning it.

Anna

Hi Anna,
The shingles vac is an excellent idea (speaking as one who got shingles after using enbrel and prednisone)! It might also be a good time to update any other immunizations you might need. Maybe the H1N1 vac too if you think it's a good idea. (I just got a bunch of boosters done in case I have to start biologics again soon.)

I was on enbrel for years, and then humira for a couple of months, and didn't get a choice in meds back then. But I liked the idea of doing my own shots (they're really easy to do) rather than going into a hospital for half a day and dealing with the scheduling. I think when I first went on biologics, there was only two kinds to choose from anyways (enbrel or remicade). We've come a long way!
Good luck! Hope the biologic gets you off of the pain meds!

Thanks Megan- I have started to make a list of vacs I may need- that way my fuzzy brain will have help remembering.

Right now I am leaning toward Enbrel- 2 reasons, #1 twice a week dosing (just in case) & #2 I have latex sensitivity/allergy and I read that it has a mix your own that is latex free.

I am reading as much as I can find on anti TNFs so this idea may change-

Off pain meds would be great!

Thanks again for the input-
How are things for you right now? Is the cold weather bothering you?

Anna

I'm pretty new here - but what I can tell you is that I had far better results with Enbrel than Humira. I also find the Humira (pen) much more painful and I do have a reaction to the injection site, which I never did with Enbrel - however I'd also recommend the 2x/week rather than weekly Enbrel, for some reason the pre-mixed once a week was much more painful for me to in inject. Of course there was an "off" time between when I was on Enbrel and when I started Humira in which I developed significant damage to my SI joint - so it may not be all the Humira's fault that it isn't working, in all fairness.
Michele