Re: tocilizuma

[Guest guest]

Hi, Lesley.

Like the other biologics already approved and in use, tocilizumab

works by interfering with the action of a particular cytokine. In this

case, the target is interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Tocilizumab is not approved for use in the UK or US yet, but should be soon.

Not an MD

On Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 5:23 AM, madhattercharliechurch

<madhattercharliechurch@...> wrote:

> Does anyone have any knowledge of the drug tocilizuma?

> It was on the UK news today and reported in The Telegraph. I have

> included the link should anyone want to have a look.

> Many thanks

> Lesley

>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3264423/Monthly-injec\

tion-stops-arthritis-in-its-tracks.html

[Guest guest]

,

Is this the medication that they are touting as " the next big thing " in RA

therapy? My rheumy was telling me that they were timing the release of this

medication for some annual rheumatology meeting in San Francisco.....

*~ Kami ~*

Re: [ ] tocilizuma

Hi, Lesley.

Like the other biologics already approved and in use, tocilizumab

works by interfering with the action of a particular cytokine. In this

case, the target is interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Tocilizumab is not approved for use in the UK or US yet, but should be soon.

Not an MD

On Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 5:23 AM, madhattercharliechurch

<madhattercharliechurch@...> wrote:

> Does anyone have any knowledge of the drug tocilizuma?

> It was on the UK news today and reported in The Telegraph. I have

> included the link should anyone want to have a look.

> Many thanks

> Lesley

>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3264423/Monthly-injec\

tion-stops-arthritis-in-its-tracks.html

[Guest guest]

Kami,

The ACR/ARHP 2008 Scientific Meeting is in progress right now. It'll

be over on Wednesday, I think.

There has been a delay in the approval:

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssHealthcareNews/idUSN24134920081026

Actemra (tocilizumab) seems like it will be another good biologic for RA.

Not an MD

On Mon, Oct 27, 2008 at 10:29 AM, ~ Kami ~ <kamilleon@...> wrote:

> ,

>

> Is this the medication that they are touting as " the next big thing " in RA

> therapy? My rheumy was telling me that they were timing the release of this

> medication for some annual rheumatology meeting in San Francisco.....

>

> *~ Kami ~*

[Guest guest]

Thank you , I had wondered if anyone had been involved in the trials and if

so what were their thoughts.

[Guest guest]

Hi Lesley - I was taking part in a clinical study that was researching

the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ). Supposedly there was a

2:1 ratio of TCZ to placebo, so I thought I had a pretty good chance

of getting the actual medication. After three monthly infusions, I was

feeling worse instead of better. I don't know if this was because the

TCZ wasn't helping me or if I was one of the unfortunate ones to be

getting the placebo. I do know that I was hurting too bad to stick it

out for even one more month in order to be able to go the escape route

and be guaranteed the TCZ, so I am no longer part of the study. Are

you considering TCZ for yourself? I would be interested to hear from

any that have had positive results.

So, to answer your question, I have knowledge of the drug and what it

is supposed to do, but I don't know first hand the benefits (if any).

Hope this helped.........Doreen

>

> Does anyone have any knowledge of the drug tocilizuma?

> It was on the UK news today and reported in The Telegraph. I have

> included the link should anyone want to have a look.

> Many thanks

> Lesley

>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/health/3264423/Monthly-injec\

tion-stops-arthritis-in-its-tracks.html

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Doreen

Thank you for your reply. I haven't had much luck with anything that has been

tried so far. I started methotrexate three weeks ago and am feeling washed out,

in pain and even more depressed...very difficult for someone who is usually

upbeat no matter what life throws at me! I am also suffering with extreme

hypothyroidism so wondered if this new drug would work.

I shall ask my consultant when I next see her if she will consider me for

trialling it when it becomes approved for use in the UK.

They are dreadful conditions and evoke little sympathy as I look 'normal' on the

outside. One of my friends even told me I just needed someone to kick me up the

bum.......

It is so reassuring to visit this forum and read everyone else's experiences and

know that I am not imagining things.

x

From: Mimi <mimi212@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: tocilizuma

Date: Monday, 27 October, 2008, 9:50 PM

Hi Lesley - I was taking part in a clinical study that was

researching

the safety and efficacy of tocilizumab (TCZ). Supposedly there was a

2:1 ratio of TCZ to placebo, so I thought I had a pretty good chance

of getting the actual medication. After three monthly infusions, I was

feeling worse instead of better. I don't know if this was because the

TCZ wasn't helping me or if I was one of the unfortunate ones to be

getting the placebo. I do know that I was hurting too bad to stick it

out for even one more month in order to be able to go the escape route

and be guaranteed the TCZ, so I am no longer part of the study. Are

you considering TCZ for yourself? I would be interested to hear from

any that have had positive results.

So, to answer your question, I have knowledge of the drug and what it

is supposed to do, but I don't know first hand the benefits (if any).

Hope this helped...... ...Doreen

>

> Does anyone have any knowledge of the drug tocilizuma?

> It was on the UK news today and reported in The Telegraph. I have

> included the link should anyone want to have a look.

> Many thanks

> Lesley

>

http://www.telegrap h.co.uk/news/ newstopics/ politics/ health/3264423/

Monthly-injectio n-stops-arthriti s-in-its- tracks.html

>

[Guest guest]

No, Lesley, you are definitely NOT imagining things. Its tough to deal

with all of the naysayers out there who think we are just faking it. I

just pray they never have to deal with half of what we do - I think

the majority of them would really lose their minds if they had to

experience the pain we do on a daily basis.

Are you taking anything other than the Methotrexate for your RA?

Methotrexate does make me more sleepy for a day or two after I take it

and it will take a bit to get into your system so that you feel the

full benefits of it. I take Sulfasalazine and more recently Prednisone

in addition to the Methotrexate.

Are you taking medication for your hypothyroidism and is it under

control? Getting your thyroid under control should be the most urgent

one to have taken care of - especially if it is extremely low. The

thyroid controls major bodily functions - especially metabolism.

My prayers are with you, Lesley. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Are you able to call your " consultant " in between appointments with

questions and concerns over your treatment? I'm not sure how things

work over in the UK. Hang in there and keep us posted.

We care........Doreen

Hi Doreen

Thank you for your reply. I haven't had much luck with anything that

has been tried so far. I started methotrexate three weeks ago and am

feeling washed out, in pain and even more depressed...very difficult

for someone who is usually upbeat no matter what life throws at me! I

am also suffering with extreme hypothyroidism so wondered if this new

drug would work.

I shall ask my consultant when I next see her if she will consider me

for trialling it when it becomes approved for use in the UK.

They are dreadful conditions and evoke little sympathy as I look

'normal' on the outside. One of my friends even told me I just needed

someone to kick me up the bum.......

It is so reassuring to visit this forum and read everyone else's

experiences and know that I am not imagining things.

x

[Guest guest]

Hi Doreen

I am on 125 mg of thyroxine and have to have my levels checked again next week.

I think that the dosage will be increased again. I have just come off steroids.

I tried sulfasalzine in combination with another drug but had severe

dizziness....it was like being drunk on a ship in the middle of a force 9

gale...so was taken off that, put on the steroids for 6 weeks. Not much fun..I

am sure that people in the supermarket thought that I was drunk lol.

One thing that I am starting to suffer with a lot is really bad indigestion..

What makes me laugh is when I first visited my doctor I told him that I hated to

be ill and could he fix it quickly....

Thank you again for your concern Doreen and may God Bless you.

From: Mimi <mimi212@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: tocilizuma

Date: Wednesday, 29 October, 2008, 2:13 AM

No, Lesley, you are definitely NOT imagining things. Its tough to

deal

with all of the naysayers out there who think we are just faking it. I

just pray they never have to deal with half of what we do - I think

the majority of them would really lose their minds if they had to

experience the pain we do on a daily basis.

Are you taking anything other than the Methotrexate for your RA?

Methotrexate does make me more sleepy for a day or two after I take it

and it will take a bit to get into your system so that you feel the

full benefits of it. I take Sulfasalazine and more recently Prednisone

in addition to the Methotrexate.

Are you taking medication for your hypothyroidism and is it under

control? Getting your thyroid under control should be the most urgent

one to have taken care of - especially if it is extremely low. The

thyroid controls major bodily functions - especially metabolism.

My prayers are with you, Lesley. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Are you able to call your " consultant " in between appointments with

questions and concerns over your treatment? I'm not sure how things

work over in the UK. Hang in there and keep us posted.

We care........ Doreen

Hi Doreen

Thank you for your reply. I haven't had much luck with anything that

has been tried so far. I started methotrexate three weeks ago and am

feeling washed out, in pain and even more depressed... very difficult

for someone who is usually upbeat no matter what life throws at me! I

am also suffering with extreme hypothyroidism so wondered if this new

drug would work.

I shall ask my consultant when I next see her if she will consider me

for trialling it when it becomes approved for use in the UK.

They are dreadful conditions and evoke little sympathy as I look

'normal' on the outside. One of my friends even told me I just needed

someone to kick me up the bum.......

It is so reassuring to visit this forum and read everyone else's

experiences and know that I am not imagining things.

x

[Guest guest]

Lesley - I pray they can get your thyroid functioning at a normal

level soon. I'm sorry the SSZ gave you such a *tipsy* side effect.

Perhaps you could ask your doctor for the Methotrexate injections

rather than the pills - its a whole lot easier on your stomach because

it doesn't go through the digestive system and I've heard it is more

effective for the same reasons. I had to laugh at you asking the

doctor to fix you quick *lol* Boy, don't we all wish it were that

easy. Hang in there. I am confident that the right combo is out there

for you. It may just take a little trial and error...........Doreen

>

> Hi Doreen

> I am on 125 mg of thyroxine and have to have my levels checked again

next week. I think that the dosage will be increased again. I have

just come off steroids. I tried sulfasalzine in combination with

another drug but had severe dizziness....it was like being drunk on a

ship in the middle of a force 9 gale...so was taken off that, put on

the steroids for 6 weeks. Not much fun..I am sure that people in the

supermarket thought that I was drunk lol.

> One thing that I am starting to suffer with a lot is really bad

indigestion..

> What makes me laugh is when I first visited my doctor I told him

that I hated to be ill and could he fix it quickly....

> Thank you again for your concern Doreen and may God Bless you.

>