Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Hi , Are you only discussing the biologics such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, etc? They all come with potential side effects, but the benefits far outweigh them. I am on Enbrel, the sureclick pen, which I love. It has helped me a great deal, and as many have said about their biologics, you'd have to tear this out of my dead hand before I'd give it up. It gives me energy and allows me to move about and go on about my business rather than have bed ridden days. Is it fair that I even have to make this choice? No. But there are many other things in life that aren't fair either. Just another day....keep smilin' and enjoy the fact that you do indeed have choices. Heidi in Mass. In a message dated 10/20/2008 12:56:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmom22003@... writes: Hi, I am trying to decide what drug to take and I am really scared so any help would be great. I guess I am trying to decide to take the injections adn which one or the ivs but since I keep hearing that they cause cancer I am really scared. My mom was just diagnosed with cancer in June so I guess all of this is really fresh in my mind and that is why it is hard for me. I have 3 small kids and I want to be around to see them grow up but I am trying to figure out being possibly in a wheelchair is going to make me just as happy. Any suggestions/wheelchai would be great. Does anyone else have these fears?? **************New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local.mapquest.com/ ?ncid=emlcntnew00000002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 , I also have cancer, however I can assure you it was not caused by any of the meds I am on. MTX injections {aka Methotrexate} does list cancer as a side effect, as does Humira, both of which I take. My Rheumy has explained to me several times that it is the higher doses of these meds that cause most of the problems. The dose used for RA is relatively safe. I do take higher doses of MTX than most but only because it is also used in the treatment of cancers. Strange how it can both cause and help cure. I would not be able to function without them. A year ago I was only able to walk with the use of a cane. I am now able to walk on my own most of the time. I do need the cane after a long days work, but that is usually a 12 or more hour day. I am a Manager for Burger King so you can imagine what most of my days are like. When I am not at my job I am raising dogs. Right now I have three poo-chins left, plus my adult dogs. It seems to help me if I keep my mind and body occupied. Plus my dogs are healers in themselves. When no one else seems to care or understand they are right there for me. I am also pretty new to this group. Reading all of the messages is sometimes hard, but I have found that it does help. I read a few, then walk away for awhile. I don't know about anyone else but my fibro really flares if I sit at this computer for very long. Closing now as I know it is hard to read long posts and many do not like it. You take care and know that you are in my prayers. Vicki Iowa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Hi! I was recently diagnosed and as of yesterday had my second Enbrel (sure-click) shot! In two weeks I have had more energy and less pain. I suggest talking to your doctor and see if it would help for you. I am 30 and very active. At first the thought of giving myself a shot scared me. I only have to do it once a week and it is literally 15 seconds for a pain-less week! From: sposy@... <sposy@...> Subject: Re: [ ] What drug to take???? Date: Monday, October 20, 2008, 1:02 PM Hi , Are you only discussing the biologics such as Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, etc? They all come with potential side effects, but the benefits far outweigh them. I am on Enbrel, the sureclick pen, which I love. It has helped me a great deal, and as many have said about their biologics, you'd have to tear this out of my dead hand before I'd give it up. It gives me energy and allows me to move about and go on about my business rather than have bed ridden days. Is it fair that I even have to make this choice? No. But there are many other things in life that aren't fair either. Just another day....keep smilin' and enjoy the fact that you do indeed have choices. Heidi in Mass. In a message dated 10/20/2008 12:56:46 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, newmom22003 writes: Hi, I am trying to decide what drug to take and I am really scared so any help would be great. I guess I am trying to decide to take the injections adn which one or the ivs but since I keep hearing that they cause cancer I am really scared. My mom was just diagnosed with cancer in June so I guess all of this is really fresh in my mind and that is why it is hard for me. I have 3 small kids and I want to be around to see them grow up but I am trying to figure out being possibly in a wheelchair is going to make me just as happy. Any suggestions/ wheelchai would be great. Does anyone else have these fears?? ************ **New MapQuest Local shows what's happening at your destination. Dining, Movies, Events, News & more. Try it out (http://local. mapquest. com/ ?ncid=emlcntnew0000 0002) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 hi katie i am wondering why your doc went straight to a biologic without trying plaquenil or mtx 1st? thanks monique Hi! I was recently diagnosed and as of yesterday had my second Enbrel (sure-click) shot! In two weeks I have had more energy and less pain. I suggest talking to your doctor and see if it would help for you. I am 30 and very active. At first the thought of giving myself a shot scared me. I only have to do it once a week and it is literally 15 seconds for a pain-less week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 , I'm so glad your feeling better, and Enbrel is working for you! I believe, its very important to do ALL you can to fight RA when your young. When you have family, job, etc, you have to be able to keep going. By doing nothing, might work for awhile, but it catches up with all of us, and then you pay for it later. I didn't start RA meds until 40, by that time, I already had joint damage. I take humira, and it helps me. It don't make me jump up and down, or dance, but it keeps me walking. It makes me take care of my family, and that is my goal right now. So, I'm so happy for you, girl!!! You get your life back, and enjoy yourself. I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny > > From: sposy@... sposy@... > Subject: Re: [ ] What drug to take???? > > Date: Monday, October 20, 2008, 1:02 PM > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 Alecia, my RA is under great control with Enbrel. I've been on it for over five years, and have had no adverse side effects. Sue On Monday, October 20, 2008, at 12:36 PM, newmom22003 wrote: > Hi, I am trying to decide what drug to take and I am really scared so > any help would be great. I guess I am trying to decide to take the > injections adn which one or the ivs but since I keep hearing that they > cause cancer I am really scared. My mom was just diagnosed with cancer > in June so I guess all of this is really fresh in my mind and that is > why it is hard for me. I have 3 small kids and I want to be around to > see them grow up but I am trying to figure out being possibly in a > wheelchair is going to make me just as happy. Any suggestions/help > would be great. Does anyone else have these fears?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 , Please enlighten me. I haven't seen any facts that bilogics cause cancer. I don't want to be in the dark. I have been taking methotrexate orally for 16 months and I have not have any problems. I had my sixth shot of Enbrel last Friday and so far everything is fine. I hope you get some good input to your questions. I do understand your fears. Both of my parents and two brothers died from cancer. My sister that is five years older than me, had colon cancer three years ago. Shirley --- In , " newmom22003 " <newmom22003@...> wrote: > > Hi, I am trying to decide what drug to take and I am really scared so > any help would be great. I guess I am trying to decide to take the > injections adn which one or the ivs but since I keep hearing that they > cause cancer I am really scared. My mom was just diagnosed with cancer > in June so I guess all of this is really fresh in my mind and that is > why it is hard for me. I have 3 small kids and I want to be around to > see them grow up but I am trying to figure out being possibly in a > wheelchair is going to make me just as happy. Any suggestions/help > would be great. Does anyone else have these fears?? > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2008 Report Share Posted October 20, 2008 --- My doctor informed me that just having RA puts you at higher risk for certain types of cancer. All drugs have risks, many more than others. I take methotrexate inj and enbrel. I have a 3 year old, before I couldn't hardly play on the floor with him. Now that I can again, I won't take it for granted. Quality and quantity of life are what I want. I figure the quality is much better now and the quantity isn't really my choice Hope you make the decision thats best for you. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.