Re: Humira & MTX

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/19/2009 7:30:38 P.M. Central Standard Time,

CarlasMustang@... writes:

I have been on MTX for about 6 months now...and it hadnt really helped,

but in higher doses made me get alot of headaches. So, my rheumy decided to

try Humira and keep the MTX also in low doses. Can anyone tell me why I have

to take MTX in addition to the Humira? I hope the Humira helps, but I

guess if not my insurance approved remicade also so we will try that next. I'm

really scared to use MTX and Humira...since they both have bad side effects

and lower immune system. I have had my first cold for the last week and I

have never been so sick in my life! I finally feel better today, but I

couldnt get my primary doc to understand I needed antibiotic! UGH >

My rheumatologist told me that the side effects from the biologics are

fewer if you also take a small dose of a DMARDS or similar.

I was on Remicade and a small amount of Mtx, and now have changed to

Remicade and Imuran. I also have Crohn's though, and both drugs treat RA and

Crohn's.

dd

[Guest guest]

Hi Carla

I can not tell you the medical reasoning behind the combo but most of the

biological drugs ARE combined with MTX. I am one of the rare ones that can't

take MTx but when I was finally moved on to rituxan infusions - I was the first

patient my doc had that didn't / couldn't do it as a combo. Maybe another friend

in the group has the medical reasons --

in SC

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 19, 2009, at 7:36 PM, " carlasmustang98 " <CarlasMustang@...>

wrote:

[Guest guest]

I also can't take MTX, so my doctor gave me a choice of Enbrel or

Humira because he said that you don't HAVE to take MTX with those.

I've heard that they work better in combination with MTX. Enbrel alone

works well for me. Carla, why don't you try it for a while with both;

then if it works really well, you might be able to back down from the

MTX.

Sue

On Dec 19, 2009, at 9:21 PM, wrote:

> Hi Carla

> I can not tell you the medical reasoning behind the combo but most

> of the biological drugs ARE combined with MTX. I am one of the rare

> ones that can't take MTx but when I was finally moved on to rituxan

> infusions - I was the first patient my doc had that didn't /

> couldn't do it as a combo. Maybe another friend in the group has the

> medical reasons --

> in SC

[Guest guest]

Carla,

I started Remicade in September - was suppose to begin MTX at the same time, but

couldn't because of high Liver Enzymes. My Rheumatologist went ahead and

started me on the Remicade alone - until we get to the bottom of why the liver

enzymes are so elevated and I seem to be responding quite well. Actually I'm

very happily surprised at the results as I thought the two drugs had to go

together. Now I'm actually glad that I didn't start both because just maybe

I'll do well enough with just the remicade that I won't need the Mtx--as far as

I'm concerned the fewer drugs to get the results needed, the better! I am still

on 10mg of Prednisone - which if I keep improving should be able to cut back on.

The Rheuematologist told me that the reason for the combo drugs was that the

combo was most effective in throwing the disease into remission. Hope that

helps.

Margie

>

> Hi:

>

> I have been on MTX for about 6 months now...and it hadnt really helped, but in

higher doses made me get alot of headaches. So, my rheumy decided to try Humira

and keep the MTX also in low doses. Can anyone tell me why I have to take MTX

in addition to the Humira? I hope the Humira helps, but I guess if not my

insurance approved remicade also so we will try that next. I'm really scared to

use MTX and Humira...since they both have bad side effects and lower immune

system. I have had my first cold for the last week and I have never been so

sick in my life! I finally feel better today, but I couldnt get my primary doc

to understand I needed antibiotic! UGH

>

> Carla

>

[Guest guest]

Try calling your rheumy if your primary care doesn't give you the meds you need

when you have a cold. As soon as I get a sore throat my rheumy prescribes meds

if I happen to see him before I am seeing my PCP. You also might want to

consider changing PCP's to one that understands RA better. My PCP wants me to

call or come in as soon as I get sick so we can fight it before it becomes too

severe because of the RA & meds (I've been on MTX & Humira for about 6 mos and

have had to be on antibiotics twice for a cold and bronchitis during that time.)

Colds and such come and go - but the pain from RA is ongoing so I personally

would rather deal with having to take antibiotics more often to get rid of the

long term pain (and joint damage) of RA.

- California

>

> In a message dated 12/19/2009 7:30:38 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> CarlasMustang@... writes:

>

> I have been on MTX for about 6 months now...and it hadnt really helped,

> but in higher doses made me get alot of headaches. So, my rheumy decided to

> try Humira and keep the MTX also in low doses. Can anyone tell me why I have

> to take MTX in addition to the Humira? I hope the Humira helps, but I

> guess if not my insurance approved remicade also so we will try that next.

I'm

> really scared to use MTX and Humira...since they both have bad side effects

> and lower immune system. I have had my first cold for the last week and I

> have never been so sick in my life! I finally feel better today, but I

> couldnt get my primary doc to understand I needed antibiotic! UGH >

>

> My rheumatologist told me that the side effects from the biologics are

> fewer if you also take a small dose of a DMARDS or similar.

>

> I was on Remicade and a small amount of Mtx, and now have changed to

> Remicade and Imuran. I also have Crohn's though, and both drugs treat RA and

> Crohn's.

>

> dd

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, Carla.

The reason MTX is recommended with the biologics is out of a concern

for immunogenicity - that the patient will form antibodies against the

biologic. Theoretically, MTX will prevent this for happening to any

significant degree. Currently, this is thought to be less of an issue

with the non-Remicade biologics.

Another reason is that research has demonstrated that the combination

of MTX and the biologics work better, in a synergistic fashion, than

the biologic alone.

Not an MD

On Sat, Dec 19, 2009 at 6:36 PM, carlasmustang98

<CarlasMustang@...> wrote:

> Hi:

>

> I have been on MTX for about 6 months now...and it hadnt really helped, but in

higher doses made me get alot of headaches.  So, my rheumy decided to try Humira

and keep the MTX also in low doses.  Can anyone tell me why I have to take MTX

in addition to the Humira?  I hope the Humira helps, but I guess if not my

insurance approved remicade also so we will try that next. I'm really scared to

use MTX and Humira...since they both have bad side effects and lower immune

system.  I have had my first cold for the last week and I have never been so

sick in my life! I finally feel better today, but I couldnt get my primary doc

to understand I needed antibiotic! UGH

>

> Carla