Arthritis Without Pain: The Miracle of TNF Blockers

Rating:
Summary: A must read for people with RA
Review: As a nurse, I enjoyed this book on two levels. First, for the indepth information it provides about TNF blockers as a class of drugs and then a chapter for each of the individual drugs Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade.

Second, this book is very patient friendly. It's filled with lots of helpful charts, a decision matrix and a whole chapter of questions and answers on everything from what to do if you miss a dose to why these drugs need refrigeration. It even explains how patients without insurance or pharmacy benefits can get help obtaining these medications. The patient stories and quotes also make the book interesting.

This book is an ABSOLUTE MUST READ for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis (and Psoriatic Arthtirits and Ankylosing Spondylitis), or anyone considering or now taking Enbrel, Humira, or Remicade.
This book is perfect for physicians and nurses too!

Rating:
Summary: Terrific Resource - Hope and Help to Get a Grip on RA
Review: This book is awesome. I only wish I had known about it sooner! I've had RA for 15 years, and was a patient in the clinical trial for Enbrel. Enbrel gave me back my life. But after 7 years, the effect has tapered off even after my rheumy added methotrexate. Last appointment, he said we ought to think about changing to a different TNF blocker. He recommended Remicade, which is an IV treatment, and told me to think about it. I wasn't quite sure what to think.

So I went web surfing. I read a good review about this book on the "About Arthritis" web site (arthritis.about.com/od/brms/gr/tnfblockers.htm), and bought it immediately. I couldn't put the book down! It is packed with the kind of information that would be otherwise hard to find in a single place. It offered all the pros and cons of TNF blockers, and has a "test" to help you decide if the therapy is for you or not. It compares all three TNF blockers head to head, after devoting a chapter to each. What a terrific resource! Not only did I learn things about Enbrel that I never knew, but it also answered questions that no one could really ever answer to my satisfaction (like why is it necessary to INJECT Enbrel?). Better yet, I learned ALL about Remicade, and other option called Humira (which is an injection like Enbrel, but only 2 shots per month!). The book gives pros and cons of all three treatments, and is very balanced. It's also an easy read, and the patient stories make you feel like you're not alone in this struggle.

Bottom line, I really felt like I got totally expert AND unbiased advise about what to do next...and I now feel confident, excited and HOPEFUL that I still have options.

So if you have RA, and don't know about TNF blockers, buy this book. If you have RA and are already on a TNF blocker, buy this book. And if you're like me, and your current TNF blocker is losing its effect, buy this book. Then run to your rheumy and get living again!

Rating:
Summary: Advances in Arthritis
Review: Wonderful news about the recent advances in treating arthritis. I found the book well organized and the chapters about the leading TNF blockers quite reasonable in length and content.