Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Report Share Posted April 29, 2004 Hi Tee, I am not on Arava but I can tell you that Enbrel has put me into remission. Other than a little stiffness in the morning, I am pain free. I know it's scary. I hope you feel better soon! Aprle -- [ ] Enbrel and Arava Hi, My name is Tee, I'm 40, diagnosed with PA. After the birth of my second child (I had him at age 32), I went on a diet called " Beyond Pritikan " - started using flaxseed oil, ate lots of fish - I lost around 20 pounds and maintained my new weight of 120 for almost a year. During that year, I developed scalp psoriasis. Didn't know it at the time that it was that; I thought I had a bad case of dandruff. Then, gradually over about a year, I started having trouble walking from the bed in the morning because my feet hurt so much. I went to my general Doc, he took some blood work, and sent me on my merry way to a rheumy. After looking at my hands and reading my chart, he diagnosed me immediately with PA. (I have pitting of fingernails and a swollen thumb.) Could the diet have spurred on this disease? I was put on methotrexate; had horrible reactions - a strep throat infection that I couldn't shake for 2 weeks - thought I was dieing it was so bad. I developed two more strep throat infections during this time and had to immediately get medication at the instant onset of a sore throat. He took me off the methotrexate and put me on Arava. Have had no side effects - however my PA is starting to get worse - I have 3 sausage digits (1 thumb, 1 pinky toe and 1 other toe.) My pain has gone down slightly but I'm still sore and stiff in the morning for a couple of hours and the pain is constant through out the day but manageable. Amazing how dealing with pain starts to be a part of your lifestyle. I don't remember how I used to feel before all of this mess. Anyway, my doc and I have discussed adding Enbrel. I'm SO SO nervous about adding this drug with all that I've been reading. I don't want to get sick again with upper respiratory problems. I've been pretty healthy since I've been off metho. just one episode of pneumonia in October. Should I take this drug? I want to kick this thing into remission - I want my life back. Sincerely, Tee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Report Share Posted April 29, 2004 Aprle...Are you in remission or on Enbrel? I stopped Enbrel after 1.5 years and thought I was in remission. After 14 months off of all medications I went into a flare with active disease and had to start Enbrel again so I was not in remission. Remission usually means disease free for 5 or more years without treatment. If you have no active disease while on Enbrel you are symply assymptomatic. I am curious how many people have had my experience and if there are any with true remissions. R.E. Re: [ ] Enbrel and Arava > Hi Tee, > > I am not on Arava but I can tell you that Enbrel has put me into remission. > Other than a little stiffness in the morning, I am pain free. I know it's > scary. I hope you feel better soon! > > Aprle > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 29, 2004 Report Share Posted April 29, 2004 Tee, I know how scary Enbrel can be. I'm having neuro problems and it can be scary all the side effects.I know my pain levels with enbrel and all the other drugs i'm on has taken my pain from a 10 plus to about a two to a three. I am hoping mine goes into remission, thus far it is getting better. Good luck, Keli > Hi, > My name is Tee, I'm 40, diagnosed with PA. After the birth of my second > child (I had him at age 32), I went on a diet called " Beyond Pritikan " - > started using flaxseed oil, ate lots of fish - I lost around 20 pounds > and maintained my new weight of 120 for almost a year. During that > year, I developed scalp psoriasis. Didn't know it at the time that it > was that; I thought I had a bad case of dandruff. Then, gradually over > about a year, I started having trouble walking from the bed in the > morning because my feet hurt so much. I went to my general Doc, he took > some blood work, and sent me on my merry way to a rheumy. After looking > at my hands and reading my chart, he diagnosed me immediately with PA. > (I have pitting of fingernails and a swollen thumb.) Could the diet > have spurred on this disease? > > I was put on methotrexate; had horrible reactions - a strep throat > infection that I couldn't shake for 2 weeks - thought I was dieing it > was so bad. I developed two more strep throat infections during this > time and had to immediately get medication at the instant onset of a > sore throat. He took me off the methotrexate and put me on Arava. Have > had no side effects - however my PA is starting to get worse - I have 3 > sausage digits (1 thumb, 1 pinky toe and 1 other toe.) My pain has gone > down slightly but I'm still sore and stiff in the morning for a couple > of hours and the pain is constant through out the day but manageable. > Amazing how dealing with pain starts to be a part of your lifestyle. I > don't remember how I used to feel before all of this mess. > > Anyway, my doc and I have discussed adding Enbrel. I'm SO SO nervous > about adding this drug with all that I've been reading. I don't want to > get sick again with upper respiratory problems. I've been pretty > healthy since I've been off metho. just one episode of pneumonia in > October. Should I take this drug? I want to kick this thing into > remission - I want my life back. > > Sincerely, > Tee > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2008 Report Share Posted September 5, 2008 I think so too...I also take 5 mg of prednisone and would like to get off the pred but my dr said that the low dose wouldn't be a problem...yeah, right. I read differently. But the arava and enbrel work really well for me. a your taking the best one two punch there is. From: rascalsniche@... <rascalsniche@...> Subject: [ ] Enbrel and arava Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 9:16 AM I take arava with my enbrel and it works well for me. No side effects on 10 mg arava....maybe lower platelet counts (neutropenia) with arava and enbrel... but dr isn't worried until they get to 100....then off to the specialist I go. a ************** Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog, plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com. (http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 5, 2008 Report Share Posted September 5, 2008 your taking the best one two punch there is. From: rascalsniche@... <rascalsniche@...> Subject: [ ] Enbrel and arava Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 9:16 AM I take arava with my enbrel and it works well for me. No side effects on 10 mg arava....maybe lower platelet counts (neutropenia) with arava and enbrel... but dr isn't worried until they get to 100....then off to the specialist I go. a ************ ** 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=aoltrv00050 000000047) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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