Thursday, June 17, 2010
Is anyone taking actemera? I took rituxan every 6 mnths for 3 years and it started to wear off faster each time, I have since started actemra (6/4/10) this 1st infusion went well but I have been suffering the symptoms of a cold ever since with a headache that won't stop my joints feel the same and to add to it all I had a rash on the front & back of my torso. Does it cause you any side effects how long before the RA calms down?
I had my first infusion August 9th. I started with the cold symptoms, but the joints felt fine initially. I felt so good for awhile as far as the pain goes that I went walking, felt like I could do normal things again. Today was the first day of the joint pains coming back to the point of tears, and now I wonder what will happen with my second infusion on September 7th. I don't know if I overdid it when I was feeling good. The good feeling I had was worth it, though, and I really want that second infusion just to see if it will make me feel as good again. Did you gain weight with the infusion?
Hey Pat, I am so sorry that you are in pain, please know that I understand each of your tears. I found that on the 1st infusion it took a week before my joints showed less heat, swelling and stiffness. I had a good week and by the 3rd weeks end it started to hurt again in fact the pain snatched me out of m sleep in the middle of the night. The second infusion 30 day interval I felt better in two days and it lasted the entire time but the headache was worse, in fact each infusion the headache was worse and persist longer.
I had an infusion a week later than scheduled in August and I was surprised that the pain didn't get excruciating. This leads me to believe that it builds up in the system. I hope it works for you. I can't understand the headache and its longevity. I still get the cold symptoms and yes I do get a false feeling of being well and able to move again. I've been cautioned to remember the pain is temporarily gone not the diagnosis. I have not gained any weight I gained more when I was on prednisone.
Thanks for letting me know what to expect....go for my second on the 7th and can't wait! You are so sweet to try it first!