Has anyone changed their biologic with success?

Hi Jforsyth! In addition to any community feedback you may receive, I wanted to share some information from some of our contributors. I know a few of our members have switched biologics, and I bet they have some insights you may find helpful. Here is a piece by one of our contributors on her experience switching medications -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/switching-biologics/comment-page-1/#comments. While this next piece isn't specifically about changing biologics, it discusses the idea and hesitation about changing treatments -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/changing-course/comment-page-1/#comments. Here is one more piece from one of our contributors who has experience with various biologics -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/thank-you-biologics/.

I tried to provide some balance with both success stories and not-as-successful stories. In the end, don't forget that you ultimately get to decide what is best for your body. Whatever decision you make, have confidence in the fact that no one knows your body as well as you do.

Thank you for reaching out and good luck! Please come back and keep us posted on how you are doing, should you feel comfortable doing so.

Best, Erin, RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member.

Hi Jforsyth. Great to see you are seeking out information to inform your treatment decision process. My wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), has undergone a couple of switches in biologic treatments, including one that she has just recently undertaken. Here are two articles she did on these switches and what she went through in the process:

https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/switching-biologics/
https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/waiting-game/.

In addition, here is an article from one of our other contributors looking at some of the issues involved in switching medications: https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/living/switching-ra-medicines-dont-wait-long-try-many/.

Any treatment decision, of course, is a personal one to be undertaken after careful research and thought, in conjunction with their medical team. Hopefully some other community members can offer their experiences. Wishing you the best and keep us posted on how you are doing. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)

I have switched 3 times. I started with Enbrel. Aside from the fact that it didn't really help, I developed a horrible side effect at 3 months. Then I tried Humira. Again, no real help, and I developed intolerable side effects. Now I am on Xeljanz, which is a different biologic. It has been great, and I am almost 2 years on it. If you are not getting the relief you want, don't hesitate to try something new. If it doesn't work, you can always go back to what you were on.
MS

Thank you for your article. It gives us all hope and responsibility in our care as RA patients. I have always felt as a former health care provider that the best medical care comes from the partnership of patient and doctor.