Mixed results
Hi all,
I’m looking for your experience and feedback please.
Around 2 years ago I was diagnosed with AS although my worst symptoms are in the tendons.
I’ve been on biosimilar (amgevita) for about 6 months now. They were working really well for the first 2/3 months and all of my old aches were gone. However in the last few months I have experienced tendonitis in “new” areas that I didn’t have before and I’ve found it quite demoralising. On the plus side most of the “old” tendon pain is still gone.
Does anyone else have similar experience to this? Or advice? I spoke to my rheumatologist on the phone who said that it was “disappointing” and he had hoped that the medication would have been effective on all pain, old or new.
Could it be the case that this biologic/biosimilar is good but not the best one for me?
Thanks in advance for any advice or shared experience.
Hi
- There are many other biological medications that could help. And it may be this biosimilar is not the right choice. And as Nicky stated, maybe addition of a DMARD may help. Many find Humira/amgevita not a good match for their pain and fatigue from spondyloarthritis due it being ineffective or reacting to side effects. I started with Humira for 2 months. Switched to Enbrel for 2 months, then Symponi Aria infusion for 6 months, then to Remicade infusions for over a year. I didn't feel they helped much in the way of relieving the level of enthesitis and tendonitis plaguing me. I was at the point of inability to walk or move very well. At the time I saw that a new medication was approved for AS, a pill, and asked to be switched this this bc I was done struggling and pushing through my days in pain. I began the JAK inhibitor Xeljanz and I can't tell you how glad I am to have this available to me. I have 80% mobility back - slight enthesitis remains. I do have several osteoarthritic issues due to AS such as the spine, and hip, but I am dealing with this with surgery. I hope you get the chance to explore other options as it sounds like you are at the beginning of your biologic journey. Wishing you less pain and better health - Rebecca (community moderator) - here's an article I thought would help ... https://axialspondyloarthritis.net/living/humira-biologic
Rebeccathank you very much for this reply. It’s really helpful and informative. I feel better now and have more positivity after hearing of other people’s positive experience.
Hi
,
Thank you for the reply. That’s something that I hadn’t considered asking. I was wondering if the rheumatologist might consider switching biologic as well but I will wait to see what he says.
I really appreciate hearing from you.
Many thanks
Johnthank you for the reply. It’s all really complicated and strange that some biologics work for some people and don’t for others. That link is useful though thanks! 
,
I agree, it is all pretty complicated. I sure wish it was easier to understand.
I wish you all the best as you search for some answers and relief.
~Doreen (Team Member)
Hi
I am sorry you are experiencing new pains. I am on biologics as well right now going on 2 years on Cosentyx. I was noticing some pains that where coming back and in new places. What helped me is recently looking with my rheumatologist to still keep the same biologics, since it was helping and we have switched to taking it more often than every 2 weeks now. Maybe it can be something to talk about your rheumy, since your biologic has helped you up to now. I have also seen some people can add another DMARD, but again always best to see what your doctor says.
Sending you hugs,
Nicky (Team Member)
