What next ?
So I've now tried embrel,humara,orencia,and rinvoq.
Of all 4 rinvoq has had the least effect on my RA, if anything it's gotten worse.
I go back to my rumitoigest next week and im just wondering what might be my next option. I'm so tired of all these meds not working . the cost of them are crazy and there's no way I can afford them without the copay programs . but enrolling is a nitemare in itself each time .... But I'm ready to try anything at this point . I really hate going to bed now because every nite I wake up in so much pain in my hands that its almost unbearable. It's now been 3 yrs since I was diagnosed : (
It does often take sometime to find the correct medication and the right doe. I do hope you are giving them time to work and that you are using them in conjunction with any medications (usually DMARDS, and NSAIDs) that have been prescribed.
I have used five biologic medications over the last 20 years. Non less than one year and two for a total of o15 years. My doctor has a general rule that if I change I have to stay with a medication for about 1 year t least. One i changed after seven months but otherwise I have stayed with it for about one year.
I know different rheumatologists have different standards for treatment so it is not uncommon to find different starts (there is no exact right way to do this). I wonder if you might ask your doctor for a VECTRA test, to get a baseline of inflammation so it will be possible over time to see how tings are progressing with your biologic.
I wish you the very best on your journey. If you get the chance let me know how things are going? I am interested in your journey.
rick - moderator
I am so sorry you're going through this. I want to say that you're doing everything right. You're trying different meds to see what works for you. This is unfortunately a common scenario where it's a trial and error process. I know that doesn't change your situation, but know that it is not just you. I am sharing a list of other prescription meds for RA - some you've tried already and some you haven't. But it might offer some perspective in terms of just knowing what's out there. https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/drugs-and-prescription-medications-for-ra Please let us know what your rheumatologist suggests after your visit next week! - Reggie (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team) I have had Prednisone, Methotrexate, Embrel, Orencia, and now I am on Xeljanz which has made a huge difference in my life. The others helped but I was still in pain, and very bad fatigue. Now I can get back to my life and do most things I used to. 
It is so tough trying "wonder drugs" without success! I know of nothing else that costs that much without any guarantee. In May I will trial my 6th biologic. I get discouraged, too. But my goal is to not let this feeling last too long. I try to enter each new drug regimen with hope. If I'm not hopeful, I'm afraid my brain will counteract the new drug. I try to tap into a new energy with each new drug. One of these times the magic will happen... With Hope and Best Wishes, Jo (moderator)
