Thanks Paula. interesting reading. Best wishes from Naomi.

Thanks for posting this Paula, I think it will help alot of people, especially the newly diagnosed.

In my opinion anti-tnfs are far more superior drugs than other DMARDS at suppressing the disease. But the downside to anti-tnfs, is the risk of serious infection is much greater and this is something everyone has to weigh up before going on anti-tnf. In the past 12 months I have had a continuous round of serious lung infections, all due to taking Enbrel but on the up side Enbrel-anti-tnf is the only drug I can tolerate and the only drug that lowers my inflammation.

Love
Rebecca x

I think these articles are ever so important.
As with all things it's about 'balancing risk to benefit ratios' according to my rheummy team.

This is not English,

The translation is 'you're really sick and we have to do something so we are giving you this stuff and keeping our fingers crossed!'

There is no doubt that the biologics have changed the ra treatments beyond recognition in the last 15 yrs or so.
So many people I meet are doing brilliantly on them and almost in remission

Some seem to have them for years with no troubles infection wise etc at all and then there area few people with a few issues then there are the real pain in the bum ones like me that give rheumatologists nightmares!

I'm pleased about the articles though because there are some stubborn old fashioned drs you meet with little experience of the illness who, when you present with persistent urine infections/ nasty cough on these drugs still want to fob you off and give you no anti biotics When they MUST treat you and FAST.

these reports will help us in that way.
And if we don't get the dr to listen we can always bat them about the head with the rpts

thanks for the info Paula,

i know i tend to bury my head in the sand when i'm faced with a new drug .. and i did this very well when i started Humira last August, i did watch the DVD and listen to my Nurse but i just felt i couldn't thoroughly read any literature. i prefer to chat about it so also rang NRAS Helpline.

now i'm established on it it's good to read the info in the article, we all deserve to be as comfortable as possible with with awful RA, and i am sure this will give support to those about to start on one.

sorry to hear you're having a rough time Jean x

Suzanne x

I was worried a little when I put the post up. Worried that I may of made people newly diagnosed worried about heart problems and the article mentioning the D word. Nobody would think that people can die as a result of arthritis would they?

Got some good replies from you all so I am glad that I did, especially from people who may or are facing making the decision about taking it.

Jean...........So sorry to hear about things, been thinking about you not posting on here much, can understand why now. You were still your lovely bubbly self when I saw you at Coventry.....sending a big ((((((HUG)))))) and hope things improve for you soon.

I have also seen an interesting article about RoActemra

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk...arthritis-patients.html

Paula x