Hi . First. let me say that it is great that your partner has you advocating on his behalf. Your concerns about the switch in medications is certainly understandable. I can tell you that many community members do use biologics successfully, including my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here). Of course, each person is different and will respond differently to treatments, including between individual biologics. Kelly wrote here about switching medications and some of the stresses: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/another-medication-change. She was writing about a change from one biologic to another, but many of the treatment concerns remain.
One thing of note about biologics is that they target specific areas of the immune system, as opposed to being blanket immunosuppressants, like methotrexate. For example, Enbrel and Humira are TNF inhibitors, while Actemra is an interlueken-6 inhibitor (see here for more information: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/biologics).
You mention the impact of RA uncontrolled by treatment and the impact that these physical issues have on him mentally. This impact is certainly understandable and one of the best ways to counter it is through better RA control. Uncontrolled RA leads to further damage that can't be undone. Kelly was diagnosed at age two, 46 years ago - before modern treatments, with the damage to show for it. A conversation we have had more than once with her rheumatologist is about the hope that those diagnosed today won't have the same level of damage. One of the other contributors referred to the choice on treatment to be a risk to risk ratio. The risk of the potential issues from the treatment vs. the risk of damage from RA. Each person has to make the decisions for themselves based on personal circumstances and their case. That said, it sounds like the RA is taking toll on your partner. It is important, whatever medication decision is made, to work with the doctors to monitor progress and potential side effects. Hopefully others will chime in with their experiences and thoughts. Wishing you and your partner the best and please feel free to keep us posted on how things are going and to ask further questions. Richard (Team Member)