I'm interested in this topic, as my rheumatologist is applying for me (as I'm in the UK) to be put on certolizumab pegol (Cimzia). I don't meet the requirements of having 5 swollen joints at a time, as I only have it in 1... but as I'm in my 30s and am a teacher, she is hoping they will approve it, as I can't work. My knees keep becoming swollen, and after draining about 50ml and a steroid injection, I get 2 weeks relief and then can't walk again. I was diagnosed with cuffitis last year from an endoscopy, and think that is back too (not sure when it is a fissure, and when it is cuffitis, as I get both!). My CRP is 99, so I guess the inflammation is going to be in various places at once! At the moment, I also have a very fast pulse, finding it harder to breathe, night sweats etc, and my GP is putting it down to the inflammation.
My rheumatologist said there isn't a given pathway for enteropathic arthritis treatment. I am currently on sulfasalazine and can't try methotrexate as still want to get pregnant (I think the inflammation is making that tricky, as has been 2 and half years so far and no ovulation... plus after 2 rounds of failed IVF we were told not to try it again, as I don't respond to the drugs! So if I can find something that works to dampen the inflammation, it might help this too.)
I was wondering if anyone has tried Cimzia for UC/related arthritis, as it seems like it is more for CD. Or if anyone has ideas of other biologics that might work well.
Thanks