Re: Other meds beside biologics????

January 17, 2011

Maggie,

The only thing I can think of is ask your doc about Plaquenil and Sulfasalazine.

This is all so very frustrating. Good luck.

>

> Remicade has stopped working. I started Orencia but I keep getting sick. I

have had antibiotics 5 times since September and I am an el ed teacher so I

don't think I want to take biologics anymore. My dilemma - be in pain or take

antibiotics? I am currently taking 4mg of Prednisone a day. I can only take

Tylenol because of my stomach. I have already taken Arava (made me deathly ill)

Imuran (didnt work) Methotrexate (worked but stopped) Are there any drugs that

dont compromise your immune system?

> Many thanks

> Maggie

>

January 17, 2011

Thank you ! Maggie

>

> Maggie,

> The only thing I can think of is ask your doc about Plaquenil and

Sulfasalazine. This is all so very frustrating. Good luck.

>

January 19, 2011

Maggie......

Your Rx history is almost identical to mine. I am so sorry to say that the

sepsis (infection) caused me to " code blue " , be on a respirator 4 or 5 times

and ultimately the sepsis (infection) spread throughout my body on several

occasions and finally landed in my knee and approximately 3 years ago, I had my

right leg amputated above the knee. My last try was with Orencia and I

developed celulitis of my abdomen not once but twice. Somewhere along the

line, I developed a blood disorder which causes me to develop blood clots. The

last one was in my lungs and boy does that get you a bed in ICU fast.

Right now I am only taking Prednisone and pain medication. It truly is a crap

shoot for me if the pain medication is going to work. Wonderful that Medicare

Humana does not pay for Oxycontin, so we are trying to come up with something

that will cover my pain but be reasonably priced. Oxycontin for one month, my

copay was $1500.00! That just addresses the pain and nothing to protect my

joints. I had both knees replaced and my ortho saw damage in both of my hips.

Well, I try not to think about it every day.

I wish I had a better experience to share with you.

Gentle, tender angel hugs........

Debs in FL

[ ] Other meds beside biologics????

Remicade has stopped working. I started Orencia but I keep getting sick. I have

had antibiotics 5 times since September and I am an el ed teacher so I don't

think I want to take biologics anymore. My dilemma - be in pain or take

antibiotics? I am currently taking 4mg of Prednisone a day. I can only take

Tylenol because of my stomach. I have already taken Arava (made me deathly ill)

Imuran (didnt work) Methotrexate (worked but stopped) Are there any drugs that

dont compromise your immune system?

Many thanks

Maggie

January 20, 2011

hi Debs,

i went on humana this month, found out they do not cover my oxycontin.

i take 40mg, twice a day, with 10mg of lortab for breakthru pain.

well, the oxy works sometimes.... sometimes ...not....

the insurance co. suggested to take morphine sulfide to replace the

oxy. next month i will start on that, i'll let you know how that

works. besides my pain meds, i only take prednisone.

i worry about taking too much pain meds, there's times nothing helps.

i have sleep problems, two hours at a time is all i get, taking

ambien...... boy, .. just wonder what to do next....lol...

Betty,

in alabama

January 20, 2011

ooops, sorry.....

do not take prenisone,... its plaquenil i take..

Betty,

in alabama

January 20, 2011

Have you tried tramadol. It helps me quite a bit and I take it along with the

plaquinel, mobic and cymbalta. I have a muscle relaxer for bad nights.The

cymbalta works on two fronts, pain and depression.Hope you find something that

works for you.

Heres to pain free day (or a least an hour)

Carol

January 20, 2011

Good evening Betty

Well, my doc & I figured out the MS Cont and Percocet for breakthrough pain. I

am on 60mg of Oxycontin 3 times a day and the Percocet 5/325mg for the other

pain. That has worked OK for a while now, but the Percocet has to be increased.

I am eating family members and small pets inbetween my pain medication! Somehow

my husband wasn't willing to pay the copay on the Oxycontin of $1500.00......Go