Hi!
I wondered about this drug in preference to Rituximab so was very interested to read your post, and especially as you, like me, have had RA for eons and have joint damage!
As I understand it Tocilizumab will only be considered if you have already tried at least one disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) such as Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine, and/or biological therapies such as Enbrel or Rituximab. So it seems you do possibly need to go down the Rituximab route first.
It appears to work in a very different way to other drugs by blocking the interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R). In people with RA a protein called IL-6 is overproduced in the body, causing inflammation and damage to bones, cartilage and tissue. Tocilizumab blocks the action of IL-6 and so can reduce this inflammation and damage. It certainly seems to have worked for you, which is brilliant news!
Do you suppose the recent pain and swelling may be a temporary flare perhaps not yet registered by the blood tests? I know ESR can be very slow to respond to changes. Hope you start to feel better very soon and the Tocilizumab continues to work well for you
Lyn x
