Guest guest Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 Stan, Enbrel works so well for me that I usually don't have RA flares. I've been on it for over five years. Right now I'm having some knee pain, so maybe I'm having a flare. Then again, it may be from osteoarthritis. But we don't ever know what to expect, I'm afraid. I've just been extremely lucky. My RA did start off very aggressively, too; my numbers were way on up there. Sue On Jan 21, 2009, at 12:27 PM, detour721 wrote: > The point is, is this the > way it's suppose to be? On a daily basis am I suppose to be expecting > some kind of issue? Is it always going to be dealing with some kind > of pain some where even though I am doing everything I am suppose to > do. 'Cause, to tell you honestly, I'm gettin' a little & %^$%@! > frustrated! > > Stan, dark. > Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 My Rhematologist hasn't suggested it yet and my insurance may not cover it, they have a system set-up for going from one stage to the next in terms of what they will cover. Also, my Rhematologist has informed me that MTX injections or no more effective than the oral medication excluding that it reduces side effects. I'm not experiencing too many issues with side effects but I wonder if it is true. It seems to me like injections would be more effective, but that way less than a professional medical opinion. Stan, Seattle, brightly cloudy. -------------- Original message -------------- From: marysue <marysue@...> Stan, Enbrel works so well for me that I usually don't have RA flares. I've been on it for over five years. Right now I'm having some knee pain, so maybe I'm having a flare. Then again, it may be from osteoarthritis. But we don't ever know what to expect, I'm afraid. I've just been extremely lucky. My RA did start off very aggressively, too; my numbers were way on up there. Sue On Jan 21, 2009, at 12:27 PM, detour721 wrote: > The point is, is this the > way it's suppose to be? On a daily basis am I suppose to be expecting > some kind of issue? Is it always going to be dealing with some kind > of pain some where even though I am doing everything I am suppose to > do. 'Cause, to tell you honestly, I'm gettin' a little & %^$%@! > frustrated! > > Stan, dark. > Seattle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 I think that many insurance companies require that you fail on at least two other DMARDs before moving to a biologic. I took MTX and then Arava, and they made my white blood cell count get too low. My liver enzymes remained normal. Even after that, my insurance company took a month to approve me for Enbrel, during which time I was not on any DMARD. It was a tough month. The MTX did help me, but not enough. The Arava was very effective in reducing my pain and inflammation. But Enbrel seems to be my miracle drug. Hopefully, your rheumy will find the right med or combo to give you more relief. Sue On Jan 21, 2009, at 2:51 PM, stanpfister@... wrote: > My Rhematologist hasn't suggested it yet and my insurance may not > cover it, they have a system set-up for going from one stage to the > next in terms of what they will cover. Also, my Rhematologist has > informed me that MTX injections or no more effective than the oral > medication excluding that it reduces side effects. I'm not > experiencing too many issues with side effects but I wonder if it is > true. It seems to me like injections would be more effective, but > that way less than a professional medical opinion. > > Stan, > Seattle, brightly cloudy. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 21, 2009 Report Share Posted January 21, 2009 My Rheumatologist has told me there are times when you have to go off the DMARDs, based on my condition I am not looking foward to those times. I tried to have a drink on New Years Eve, that screwed things up bad enough and I decided I'm just not a drinker anymore, not even a social one. Waiting for the next step in treatment is almost has bad as not having any treatment, I guess. Stan Seattle, Partly cloudy. -------------- Original message -------------- From: marysue <marysue@...> I think that many insurance companies require that you fail on at least two other DMARDs before moving to a biologic. I took MTX and then Arava, and they made my white blood cell count get too low. My liver enzymes remained normal. Even after that, my insurance company took a month to approve me for Enbrel, during which time I was not on any DMARD. It was a tough month. The MTX did help me, but not enough. The Arava was very effective in reducing my pain and inflammation. But Enbrel seems to be my miracle drug. Hopefully, your rheumy will find the right med or combo to give you more relief. Sue On Jan 21, 2009, at 2:51 PM, stanpfister@... wrote: > My Rhematologist hasn't suggested it yet and my insurance may not > cover it, they have a system set-up for going from one stage to the > next in terms of what they will cover. Also, my Rhematologist has > informed me that MTX injections or no more effective than the oral > medication excluding that it reduces side effects. I'm not > experiencing too many issues with side effects but I wonder if it is > true. It seems to me like injections would be more effective, but > that way less than a professional medical opinion. > > Stan, > Seattle, brightly cloudy. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 Stan - I switched to MTX injections because the pills were just not very effective and my Rheumy was afraid to give me more than I was already taking because of having gastric ulcers in the past. Since then, he's increased the injection dosage once. To me it seems they are better absorbed, tolerated and when I would be " down " for three days with the pills, I'm only " really down " for two days with the injections. Of course weather plays a huge factor in that, too, but I personally think the injections are working better for me. Doreen > > My Rhematologist hasn't suggested it yet and my insurance may not cover it, they have a system set-up for going from one stage to the next in terms of what they will cover. Also, my Rhematologist has informed me that MTX injections or no more effective than the oral medication excluding that it reduces side effects. I'm not experiencing too many issues with side effects but I wonder if it is true. It seems to me like injections would be more effective, but that way less than a professional medical opinion. > > Stan, > Seattle, brightly cloudy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 22, 2009 Report Share Posted January 22, 2009 My Rheumatologist kind of left me in a weird place on the last visit, saying that she would leave it up to me if I wanted to go to injections or not. I don't have too much trouble with the oral medication in terms of taking it, but like you, the next day is really down. I call it my " MTX hangover. " Going to injections just seems so Major, and I am such an Sergeant kind of guy I'm not sure what to do. Stan Seattle, cloudy and cold. -------------- Original message -------------- From: " Mimi " <mimi212@...> Stan - I switched to MTX injections because the pills were just not very effective and my Rheumy was afraid to give me more than I was already taking because of having gastric ulcers in the past. Since then, he's increased the injection dosage once. To me it seems they are better absorbed, tolerated and when I would be " down " for three days with the pills, I'm only " really down " for two days with the injections. Of course weather plays a huge factor in that, too, but I personally think the injections are working better for me. Doreen > > My Rhematologist hasn't suggested it yet and my insurance may not cover it, they have a system set-up for going from one stage to the next in terms of what they will cover. Also, my Rhematologist has informed me that MTX injections or no more effective than the oral medication excluding that it reduces side effects. I'm not experiencing too many issues with side effects but I wonder if it is true. It seems to me like injections would be more effective, but that way less than a professional medical opinion. > > Stan, > Seattle, brightly cloudy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I hated MTX for that reason, Stan. I did not feel like ME and had to stop the medication. I asked to do injections and he said it would not change the side effects I was experiencing..... I started Arava on 01/02 so we shall see if this helps! I also inject Humira weekly. Any reservations or fears I had were gone by my 4th biweekly injection because baby... IT WORKS! I now inject weekly, though. No fears.... And I wouldn't want to give it up for ANYTHING! ****~**** Kami ****~**** Re: [ ] Re: RA on a Daily Basis My Rheumatologist kind of left me in a weird place on the last visit, saying that she would leave it up to me if I wanted to go to injections or not. I don't have too much trouble with the oral medication in terms of taking it, but like you, the next day is really down. I call it my " MTX hangover. " Going to injections just seems so Major, and I am such an Sergeant kind of guy I'm not sure what to do. Stan Seattle, cloudy and cold. . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 Stan, my opinion is, Go with the injections! It's a lot more effective and bypasses the stomach and it's bad side. I'm taking 1 cc each week and only had trouble when the Rummy didn't increase the Folic Acid to go with it. My tongue still swells sometimes but not as bad now. Dennis in eastexas On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 11:28 PM, <stanpfister@...> wrote: > My Rheumatologist kind of left me in a weird place on the last visit, > saying that she would leave it up to me if I wanted to go to injections or > not. I don't have too much trouble with the oral medication in terms of > taking it, but like you, the next day is really down. I call it my " MTX > hangover. " Going to injections just seems so Major, and I am such an > Sergeant kind of guy I'm not sure what to do. > > Stan > Seattle, cloudy and cold. > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: " Mimi " <mimi212@... <mimi212%40cfl.rr.com>> > Stan - I switched to MTX injections because the pills were just not > very effective and my Rheumy was afraid to give me more than I was > already taking because of having gastric ulcers in the past. Since > then, he's increased the injection dosage once. To me it seems they > are better absorbed, tolerated and when I would be " down " for three > days with the pills, I'm only " really down " for two days with the > injections. Of course weather plays a huge factor in that, too, but I > personally think the injections are working better for me. > > Doreen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I get severe swelling in my throat, I don't believe that it is realted to the MTX but I know for a fact that it's related to the RA. So I was wondering if you get that too? Stan, Seattle, Cloudy -------------- Original message -------------- From: Dennis W <betnden@...> Stan, my opinion is, Go with the injections! It's a lot more effective and bypasses the stomach and it's bad side. I'm taking 1 cc each week and only had trouble when the Rummy didn't increase the Folic Acid to go with it. My tongue still swells sometimes but not as bad now. Dennis in eastexas On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 11:28 PM, <stanpfister@...> wrote: > My Rheumatologist kind of left me in a weird place on the last visit, > saying that she would leave it up to me if I wanted to go to injections or > not. I don't have too much trouble with the oral medication in terms of > taking it, but like you, the next day is really down. I call it my " MTX > hangover. " Going to injections just seems so Major, and I am such an > Sergeant kind of guy I'm not sure what to do. > > Stan > Seattle, cloudy and cold. > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: " Mimi " <mimi212@... <mimi212%40cfl.rr.com>> > Stan - I switched to MTX injections because the pills were just not > very effective and my Rheumy was afraid to give me more than I was > already taking because of having gastric ulcers in the past. Since > then, he's increased the injection dosage once. To me it seems they > are better absorbed, tolerated and when I would be " down " for three > days with the pills, I'm only " really down " for two days with the > injections. Of course weather plays a huge factor in that, too, but I > personally think the injections are working better for me. > > Doreen > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2009 Report Share Posted January 23, 2009 I'm lucky, I guess. I don't have any symptoms of any kind that I can identify with MTX. In fact, I don't have symptoms with any of the meds I currently take, and there are a dozen of them. The only thing I do notice is that sometimes I get a really loaded Soma, the rest are duds. Dennis in eastexas On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 11:08 AM, <stanpfister@...> wrote: > I get severe swelling in my throat, I don't believe that it is realted > to the MTX but I know for a fact that it's related to the RA. So I was > wondering if you get that too? > > Stan, > Seattle, Cloudy > > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: Dennis W <betnden@... <betnden%40gmail.com>> > Stan, my opinion is, Go with the injections! It's a lot more effective and > bypasses the stomach and it's bad side. I'm taking 1 cc each week and only > had trouble when the Rummy didn't increase the Folic Acid to go with it. My > tongue still swells sometimes but not as bad now. > > Dennis in eastexas > > On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 11:28 PM, <stanpfister@...<stanpfister%40comcast.net>> > wrote: > > > My Rheumatologist kind of left me in a weird place on the last visit, > > saying that she would leave it up to me if I wanted to go to injections > or > > not. I don't have too much trouble with the oral medication in terms of > > taking it, but like you, the next day is really down. I call it my " MTX > > hangover. " Going to injections just seems so Major, and I am such an > > Sergeant kind of guy I'm not sure what to do. > > > > Stan > > Seattle, cloudy and cold. > > > > -------------- Original message -------------- > > From: " Mimi " <mimi212@... <mimi212%40cfl.rr.com> <mimi212% > 40cfl.rr.com>> > > Stan - I switched to MTX injections because the pills were just not > > very effective and my Rheumy was afraid to give me more than I was > > already taking because of having gastric ulcers in the past. Since > > then, he's increased the injection dosage once. To me it seems they > > are better absorbed, tolerated and when I would be " down " for three > > days with the pills, I'm only " really down " for two days with the > > injections. Of course weather plays a huge factor in that, too, but I > > personally think the injections are working better for me. > > > > Doreen > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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