Re: mtx induced remission - for Paris

[Guest guest]

Hi Paris

It took 4 months for the mtx to induce remission this time. (Meaning I was

on it for 4 months before it 'kicked' in.) That's on the long side, as I

think it can take effect after about 4 weeks. My rheumatologist was about to

start me on Enbrel when the mtx finally started working. I was at my wit's

end and had my hip replacement shortly after. For me, once mtx starts

working my swelling and pain subsides quite fast (over a week or two).

Magic!

With my previous flare, the mtx took only 2 months to kick in. We're all

different though and I know how hard it is waiting for drugs to work

Re. stress, this last flare I'm certain was caused by the stress of my

brother's terminal illness.

in NZ

[Guest guest]

and Group;

My RA hit me hard about 7 months ago. My RA doctor kept asking me

how long was I stiff in the mornings. I had no idea what she meant

so I said about an hour. haaaaaaaaa. Well I was in pain for 7

months and didnt know there was other medicines out there till I

joined this group.

Haaaaaaaaa, I limped into my RA's office and said I cant take this

pain anymore lol. I have been on plaqnile and sulfazaline with no

relief in sight. I thought I was suppost to hurt this bad. Thanks

to the group I got help.

My RA is working on the RA agressively now. I guess you can say I

been having a flare for 7 long months. I start humira after my TB

test. Now I am on prednisone. OMG what a relief, I love prednison.

My RA said I cant take prednisone for to long cause of my heart and

lung problems.

gentle sweet hugs

Clora

ps are you in New Zealand the country?

> Hi Paris

>

> It took 4 months for the mtx to induce remission this time.

(Meaning I was

> on it for 4 months before it 'kicked' in.) That's on the long

side, as I

> think it can take effect after about 4 weeks. My rheumatologist

was about to

> start me on Enbrel when the mtx finally started working. I was at

my wit's

> end and had my hip replacement shortly after. For me, once mtx

starts

> working my swelling and pain subsides quite fast (over a week or

two).

> Magic!

>

> With my previous flare, the mtx took only 2 months to kick in.

We're all

> different though and I know how hard it is waiting for drugs to

work

>

> Re. stress, this last flare I'm certain was caused by the stress

of my

> brother's terminal illness.

>

> in NZ

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 8/31/2008 5:33:18 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

sdfprs@... writes:

>So about this remission I'm hoping for....I have been on MTX for about 2

months (plaquenil for 2 mths before that) .Once I am in remission, will I feel

like my old self and be able to do normal stuff with no pain or is it just

the pain is " under control " some? While in remission I can still have a flare

up, right? I'm afraid of that so much because I'm being release for work Oct

1 and I'm just expecting me to have flare up s with no rhyme or reason and

people will think I'm faking or something. Thanks all. Paris>

Here's my experience so far. I was Dx'd in April and started on 25 mg daily

of Prednisone. That took the pain away completely. Two weeks later I started

on 6 Mtx a week, now down to 4 a week. So it's been almost six months. I'm now

down to 5 mg of Prednisone, 4 Mtx a week and 1 Arava a day. The pain comes

and goes and has never been as bad as when I was first Dx'd. What is getting

better for me is fatigue. I had a bad day today for no apparent reason. I take

my Mtx tomorrow, so the weekend is usually good.

But the days with fatigue are getting farther apart. I still don't have the

energy I had before, but I think part of that is side effects from the meds. I

have a fast heartbeat, which could be from thyroiditis, or could be from

Prednisone. I can't exercise like I could before. So that could part of the

reason I don't have as much energy.

It just seems like the days are getting better very slowly. I'm 64. That

seems relevant.

My GI wants me to try Remicade and is talking to my Rheum about doing that.

I have another appointment with him October 1st. It sounds a little scary to

me, but I think part of my feeling icky is the Mtx and Arava. I've heard that

usually take Mtx with Remicade though.

So that's clear as mud, eh.

dd

**************It's only a deal if it's where you want to go. Find your travel

deal here.

(http://information.travel.aol.com/deals?ncid=aoltrv00050000000047)

[Guest guest]

and group,

So about this remission I'm hoping for....I have been on MTX for about 2 months

(plaquenil for 2 mths before that) .Once I am in remission, will I feel like my

old self and be able to do normal stuff with no pain or is it just the pain is

" under control " some?  While in remission I can still have a flare up, right? 

I'm afraid of that so much because I'm being release for work Oct 1 and I'm just

expecting me to have flare up s with no rhyme or reason and people will think

I'm faking or something.  Thanks all. Paris

[ ] Re: mtx induced remission - for Paris

Hi Paris

It took 4 months for the mtx to induce remission this time. (Meaning I was

on it for 4 months before it 'kicked' in.) That's on the long side, as I

think it can take effect after about 4 weeks. My rheumatologist was about to

start me on Enbrel when the mtx finally started working. I was at my wit's

end and had my hip replacement shortly after. For me, once mtx starts

working my swelling and pain subsides quite fast (over a week or two).

Magic!

With my previous flare, the mtx took only 2 months to kick in. We're all

different though and I know how hard it is waiting for drugs to work

Re. stress, this last flare I'm certain was caused by the stress of my

brother's terminal illness.

in NZ

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Paris and group

Hon it will probalbly take tine for your RA to find the right

cocktail for you. Sometimes it may take a while for one to work, I

am guessing. Or the insurancse companies wants us to try the cheap

stuff first. I really dont know. After a year of trying diffent meds

I told my ra doctor the pain is unbearable please help me.

Also hon its the group here who made me realise there is other meds

for RA. REMISSION. I am hoping an praying for remission, I think it

works for some and not for others. WAit and see what the group knows

about remission. I don't know how we get remission anyone here know.

gentle hugs

Clora

> and group,

>

> So about this remission I'm hoping for....I have been on MTX for

about 2 months (plaquenil for 2 mths before that) .Once I am in

remission, will I feel like my old self and be able to do normal

stuff with no pain or is it just the pain is " under control " some? 

While in remission I can still have a flare up, right?  I'm afraid

of that so much because I'm being release for work Oct 1 and I'm

just expecting me to have flare up s with no rhyme or reason and

people will think I'm faking or something.  Thanks all. Paris

>

>

> [ ] Re: mtx induced remission - for Paris

>

> Hi Paris

>

> It took 4 months for the mtx to induce remission this time.

(Meaning I was

> on it for 4 months before it 'kicked' in.) That's on the long

side, as I

> think it can take effect after about 4 weeks. My rheumatologist

was about to

> start me on Enbrel when the mtx finally started working. I was at

my wit's

> end and had my hip replacement shortly after. For me, once mtx

starts

> working my swelling and pain subsides quite fast (over a week or

two).

> Magic!

>

> With my previous flare, the mtx took only 2 months to kick in.

We're all

> different though and I know how hard it is waiting for drugs to

work

>

> Re. stress, this last flare I'm certain was caused by the stress

of my

> brother's terminal illness.

>

> in NZ

>

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>

[Guest guest]

Paris wrote: " So about this remission I'm hoping for....I have been on MTX

for about 2 months (plaquenil for 2 mths before that) .Once I am in

remission, will I feel like my old self and be able to do normal stuff with

no pain or is it just the pain is " under control " some? While in remission

I can still have a flare up, right? "

I can't predict for you Paris, as I only know my own experiences - perhaps

others will chip in with their experiences?

For myself, when in remission I feel good (no pain, no swelling etc). And I

don't flare up while in remission and still taking my medication.

Just try to take it one day at a time (hard I know!) and not worry about

what's ahead

in NZ

[Guest guest]

> I can't predict for you Paris, as I only know my own experiences -

perhaps

> others will chip in with their experiences?

> For myself, when in remission I feel good (no pain, no swelling

etc). And I

> don't flare up while in remission and still taking my medication.

>

> Just try to take it one day at a time (hard I know!) and not worry

about

> what's ahead

>

> in NZ

It seems like different definitions of remission are out there,

perhaps because with all the newer meds/treatment plans there are so

many different responses? My doc has referred to " remissison with the

meds. " By this he doesn't mean a complete disappearance on all

symptoms. The last couple weeks I have had a bit of a flare, nothing

bad really but before that I wasn't even aware of any symptoms for

months. Mild achiness coming and going but really nothing compared to

what it was before I started the mtx. Mostly it is fatigue that has

heavily curtailed me these past couple weeks. Hit suddenly and is all

so slowly disappearing. But at my usual bloodwork visit, I mentioned

these aches because they were sort of new. He also noted I was

running a temp and the inflammation numbers were slightly elevated,

not enough to do anything different right now but he called that a

mild flare that was so controlled due to the mtx and my overall good

response to it. He said in his practice he sees folk like me, who

respond well to mtx, usually have 1 or 2 of these mild " flares " every

year. Some are as mild as mine has been, some will require a short

regime of anti-inflammatories or prednisone, but that this is the

usual in what are still considered successful treatments with mtx.

After having times where I can practically forget I have RA, these

past couple weeks have been annoying, but nothing compared to what

happened to get on the mtx. Again, just one story of many, but it's

mine

[Guest guest]

,

My goal is remission but I haven't achieved it so far. MTX didn't do

it for me. I am believing that when I get to start the Enbrel, I

will succeed.

I don't know but I think remission is without flare ups. Someone

please correct me if I am wrong. (Maybe just wishful thinking on my

part.)

I hope you get many more post on this.

Shirley

>

> It seems like different definitions of remission are out there,

> perhaps because with all the newer meds/treatment plans there are

so

> many different responses? My doc has referred to " remissison with

the

> meds. " By this he doesn't mean a complete disappearance on all

> symptoms. The last couple weeks I have had a bit of a flare,

nothing

> bad really but before that I wasn't even aware of any symptoms for

> months. Mild achiness coming and going but really nothing compared

to

> what it was before I started the mtx. Mostly it is fatigue that

has

> heavily curtailed me these past couple weeks. Hit suddenly and is

all

> so slowly disappearing. But at my usual bloodwork visit, I

mentioned

> these aches because they were sort of new. He also noted I was

> running a temp and the inflammation numbers were slightly

elevated,

> not enough to do anything different right now but he called that a

> mild flare that was so controlled due to the mtx and my overall

good

> response to it. He said in his practice he sees folk like me, who

> respond well to mtx, usually have 1 or 2 of these mild " flares "

every

> year. Some are as mild as mine has been, some will require a short

> regime of anti-inflammatories or prednisone, but that this is the

> usual in what are still considered successful treatments with mtx.

> After having times where I can practically forget I have RA, these

> past couple weeks have been annoying, but nothing compared to what

> happened to get on the mtx. Again, just one story of many, but

it's

> mine

>

>

[Guest guest]

Remission?!?!? I'm still waiting for that to happen *rolling eyes*.

Some days I wonder if I'll ever feel " good " again. Just goes to show

how different this is for each of us.......Doreen

> I can't predict for you Paris, as I only know my own experiences -

> perhaps others will chip in with their experiences?

> For myself, when in remission I feel good (no pain, no swelling etc).

> And I don't flare up while in remission and still taking my

> medication.

>

> Just try to take it one day at a time (hard I know!) and not worry

> about what's ahead

>

> in NZ

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Paris, Shirley, and group,

As others have suggested the meaning of remission is not 'precise'and

absolute, as far as I am aware.

In medicine as I have come across its use (this would particularly be

in the oncology/ haematology field) it is usually used to distinguish

from having achieved a 'cure'. Obviously cure implies the disease has

been eliminated and will not return.

As we all know for RA and related disorders at present 'cure' has not

yet been achieved,sadly, although in the future who knows...

A remission means the disorder is held under control, but by

implication could flare and cause problems in the future.. Sometimes,(

I would think,usually with RA), medication IS needed to maintain

remission.

Remission can be complete, (no symptoms or new signs or abnormal

path)..wonderful!! or partial. The length of remission is also

variable, and hopefully long!

The talk of remission is becoming very interesting at a molecular and

research level, with the newer biologics such as rituximab. Sometimes

changes in the genetic immune cell markers at the root of the

inflammatory response go right down, after just 2 infusions and then

may very slowly rise over months before clinical 'relapse' RA

progressing again, as it is called,( although I feel a little

uncomfortable using that term in RA)

Lots of interesting research here.

Chris

Retired doc UK

friend of RA sufferer, no computer

>

> ,

> My goal is remission but I haven't achieved it so far. MTX didn't do

> it for me.

> I hope you get many more post on this.

> Shirley

> > It seems like different definitions of remission are out there

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the explanation. Even though I hoped it to be flare free.

I am sure that most, not in remission, would love some time off even

if they knew it would flare occasionally.

Shirley

--- In , " chris65peth " <chris65peth@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Paris, Shirley, and group,

> As others have suggested the meaning of remission is

not 'precise'and

> absolute, as far as I am aware.

> In medicine as I have come across its use (this would particularly

be

> in the oncology/ haematology field) it is usually used to

distinguish

> from having achieved a 'cure'. Obviously cure implies the disease

has

> been eliminated and will not return.

> As we all know for RA and related disorders at present 'cure' has

not

> yet been achieved,sadly, although in the future who knows...

>

> A remission means the disorder is held under control, but by

> implication could flare and cause problems in the future..

Sometimes,(

> I would think,usually with RA), medication IS needed to maintain

> remission.

> Remission can be complete, (no symptoms or new signs or abnormal

> path)..wonderful!! or partial. The length of remission is also

> variable, and hopefully long!

>

> The talk of remission is becoming very interesting at a molecular

and

> research level, with the newer biologics such as rituximab.

Sometimes

> changes in the genetic immune cell markers at the root of the

> inflammatory response go right down, after just 2 infusions and

then

> may very slowly rise over months before clinical 'relapse' RA

> progressing again, as it is called,( although I feel a little

> uncomfortable using that term in RA)

> Lots of interesting research here.

> Chris

> Retired doc UK

> friend of RA sufferer, no computer

[Guest guest]

Paris wrote (re. mtx) " taking 20mg to start seems like alot, will I be

weaned down later on?? how do can they tell how much you need and if

your in remission " ?

Hi Paris

I'm not a rheumatologist but I guess they choose a starting dose based

on how severe your flare is, what other drugs you are on etc. It's a

balancing act between weighing up potential drug side effects versus

acting conservatively and risking permanent joint damage.

When I've been weaned off drugs (twice now) my rheumatologist does it

really slowly, starting with mtx, removing one pill for a month, then

another one etc. If symptoms reappear we increase the dose again, as it

obviously too soon to do without them! When mtx-free, we slowly reduce

the sulphasalazine - pill by pill (I take 4 per day) in the same way.

So weaning off usually takes many months

in NZ

[Guest guest]

and group,

Thanks.  I keep hoping I'm going to wake up one day and be " normal " .  I have

been like this since April. (that's not long for some of you but it feels like

an eternity for me right now) I know I have improved and I keep reminded myself

of what I couldn't do.  The thought of it going away gives me hope but I'm very

IMPATIENT!!! and the thought of it coming back scares me tremendously.  I'm

getting beat down by all of this and my stress level is going up b/c of finances

(since I'm not working).  I was hardly able to keep up with my busy lifestyle

with 2 boys in school, soccer, karate and my husband works nights and me working

full time(well I was).   I don't know how I'm suppose to do it with RA.  I'm

just kinda bummed today b/c it was a ruff day.  Thanks for the vent. Paris

[ ] Re: mtx induced remission - for Paris

Thanks for the explanation. Even though I hoped it to be flare free.

I am sure that most, not in remission, would love some time off even

if they knew it would flare occasionally.

Shirley

--- In , " chris65peth " <chris65peth@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi Paris, Shirley, and group,

> As others have suggested the meaning of remission is

not 'precise'and

> absolute, as far as I am aware.

> In medicine as I have come across its use (this would particularly

be

> in the oncology/ haematology field) it is usually used to

distinguish

> from having achieved a 'cure'. Obviously cure implies the disease

has

> been eliminated and will not return.

> As we all know for RA and related disorders at present 'cure' has

not

> yet been achieved,sadly, although in the future who knows...

>

> A remission means the disorder is held under control, but by

> implication could flare and cause problems in the future..

Sometimes,(

> I would think,usually with RA), medication IS needed to maintain

> remission.

> Remission can be complete, (no symptoms or new signs or abnormal

> path)..wonderful!! or partial. The length of remission is also

> variable, and hopefully long!

>

> The talk of remission is becoming very interesting at a molecular

and

> research level, with the newer biologics such as rituximab.

Sometimes

> changes in the genetic immune cell markers at the root of the

> inflammatory response go right down, after just 2 infusions and

then

> may very slowly rise over months before clinical 'relapse' RA

> progressing again, as it is called,( although I feel a little

> uncomfortable using that term in RA)

> Lots of interesting research here.

> Chris

> Retired doc UK

> friend of RA sufferer, no computer

------------------------------------