I never used the iv drip . My insurance hasn't covered it in the past. I'm told it keeps Flares down for up to 3 months. That would be Awesome. 🤗❤

I did Benlysta infusions once a month for over 2 years. In the beginning I had a headache, nausea, and diahrrea for the first 2-3 days. We cut back dosage some. It helped my joint pain quite a bit. I still had a systemic flare (pleurisy, pericarditis, kidney flare) however the joint pain was better. I also have Crohns disease and several months later I had a very serious flare and ended up septic. We switched to a different biologic drug that will work for Lupus, Crohn's, and also Psoriatic Arthritis which I also have. Started Stelara 2 months ago and having some relief.
Again, I think everyone can react differently to different drugs. Everyone in the infusion lab that was on Benlysta agreed they did have pain relief and we all said we were really tired and slept a lot.
I hope you find the right fit for you. If it weren't for my Crohns flare I would still be on Benlysta. For me, it was worth the side effects.

I was in a clinical trial with Benlysta in 2012, It was the IV form.. once started I had to go once a week for a month, BUT, The first week went like this, I took the first treatment, Got an instant headache, nothing major.. as the treatment kept pumping in the more I kept feeling tired and sick to my stomach.. that's common side effects.. So I got home and just felt so weak and tired that I couldn't go.. I was hesitating on getting the second treatment but so desperate for something for treatment bc I am severely allergic to Plaqunil , so next treatment began, same thing happened, only this time a few days later my arm starts getting sore and very hot, I ended up getting MRSA and a very bad case of it.. it literally put a huge hole in the back of my arm.. and I called and told them what was going on, so treatment was put on hold.. I finally got better, and my doctor talked me into doing Benlysta one more time , so I once again gave it a shot.. same thing, weak, couldn't do anything for a week or so, and ended up getting MRSA in a different spot on my arm.. I WAS DEVASTATED!! My immune system was gone, which that's what they want, bc if your immune system is active lupus is active..
BENLYSTA is bad! That's my opinion.. I had a bad experience with it and I don't recommend it at all..
Imuran is what I took for My Lupus.. 3x a day I highly recommend it.

Im taking Benlysta infusions monthly. I have an allergy to it and also get a bag of Benadryl when I get the infusions. The Benlysta is keeping my flare ups to a minimum.

We need a cure, not more masking drugs that do no good, at least for most of us anyway. You will find your way, sending prayers.
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