Re: Enbrel as monotherapy

January 31, 2009

Hi Louise, I'm on Enbrel monotherapy. I took pred with it for 2 years, but was

able to drop it this fall. I take tumeric, fish, and flax supplements, which I

think helps with the inflammation. Kate F

________________________________

From: louwheres <louwheres@...>

Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 7:17:27 PM

Subject: [ ] Enbrel as monotherapy

Back with one of my infrequent questions; but as usual I read all

posts and appreciate all the information.

I'm planning to stop my low dose of MTX to see if I can get any

relief from constant tinnitus which has had me miserable for 3 1/2

years. I know it is an " ototoxic " drug; and it is my last resort to

find some relief. I also have the day after hangover feeling, easy

bruising and skin tearing, and acne( a great addition to early

wrinkling). Anyway, I know several people on a biologic alone & I'm

just wondering about people here who do the same. I have been on Enbrel

50 ml for about 2 years. Louise

January 31, 2009

Louise, I am on Enbrel without MTX. MTX caused my white blood cell

count to get too low, so I had to stop taking it. Enbrel, along with

arthritis-strength Tylenol, works very well for me.

It's worth a try, anyway. Good luck!

Sue

On Jan 31, 2009, at 8:17 PM, louwheres wrote:

> Back with one of my infrequent questions; but as usual I read all

> posts and appreciate all the information.

> I'm planning to stop my low dose of MTX to see if I can get any

> relief from constant tinnitus which has had me miserable for 3 1/2

> years. I know it is an " ototoxic " drug; and it is my last resort to

> find some relief. I also have the day after hangover feeling, easy

> bruising and skin tearing, and acne( a great addition to early

> wrinkling). Anyway, I know several people on a biologic alone & I'm

> just wondering about people here who do the same. I have been on

> Enbrel

> 50 ml for about 2 years. Louise

>

January 31, 2009

I stopped my low dose MTX a couple of years ago. My major complaint was just

the extreme fatique for a couple of days after I took it. I have been on enbrel

for about 3 years now. I do a low dose steriod when I need to.-not often in the

warmer weather but usually most of the colder months.

From: louwheres <louwheres@...>

Subject: [ ] Enbrel as monotherapy

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2009, 7:17 PM

Back with one of my infrequent questions; but as usual I read all

posts and appreciate all the information.

I'm planning to stop my low dose of MTX to see if I can get any

relief from constant tinnitus which has had me miserable for 3 1/2

years. I know it is an " ototoxic " drug; and it is my last resort to

find some relief. I also have the day after hangover feeling, easy

bruising and skin tearing, and acne( a great addition to early

wrinkling). Anyway, I know several people on a biologic alone & I'm

just wondering about people here who do the same. I have been on Enbrel

50 ml for about 2 years. Louise

February 1, 2009

I have been off of MTX for over 3 years now (don't remember how long

actually). It made me too sick, I wouldn't be able to eat much for a

week and would finally regain my appetite on shot day (the shot made

me feel better than the pills). I tried Arava after that, but

couldn't tell a difference of when I took it vs. when I didn't take it

so I quit taking it. I have been on Enbrel alone for about 2 years

now and I take naprosyn as needed. I also changed my diet (I had the

typical college kid with no money diet before and felt horrible most

of the time). I added more fruits and veggies, more fish, and only

whole grains. I know there are others on this list who have changed

their diet even more drastically, but I find I don't have that kind of

self control, and the gluten free foods are hard to find in Indiana,

and extremely hard to find in southern Indiana. I hope you do well

with finding a drug combination that works for you! I'm so glad that

I'm down to just the 2, in high school I took 38 pills a day, and one

day a week I'd take 42 until I switched to the MTX shot, and all of

this was on top of Enbrel 2x a week.

Good luck!!

Autumn

February 1, 2009

I am having a lot of trouble with the fatigue factor, my Rheumatologist claims

it has nothing to do with the MTX, it's me. But everywhere I look people

complain about fatique. Not sure what to do, vitamins?

Stan,

Seattle, Cloudy.

--------- [ ] Enbrel as monotherapy

Date: Saturday, January 31, 2009, 7:17 PM

Back with one of my infrequent questions; but as usual I read all

posts and appreciate all the information.

I'm planning to stop my low dose of MTX to see if I can get any

relief from constant tinnitus which has had me miserable for 3 1/2

years. I know it is an " ototoxic " drug; and it is my last resort to

find some relief. I also have the day after hangover feeling, easy

bruising and skin tearing, and acne( a great addition to early

wrinkling). Anyway, I know several people on a biologic alone & I'm

just wondering about people here who do the same. I have been on Enbrel

50 ml for about 2 years. Louise

February 1, 2009

Fatigue is most definitely a side effect of MTX Stan, so I don't know why he

told you that. Fatigue is also part of RA, so we are being hit twice as hard.

In the end, my fatigue got so bad that I started falling asleep throughout the

day, multiple times. He ended up prescribing Provigil, which is a stimulant

that is used for narcolepsy. It keeps me awake which is vital when I'm at home

responsible for caring for my kids. Now that I'm having a flare, I'm more

fatigued than normal, but at least the Provigil keeps me awake.

I know this also seems contrary, but exercise will help you with fatigue. I

bought a recumbent stationary bike that I keep in my basement. It's easy on the

joints (my knees can't tolerate a regular bike) and I'm able to keep fit. RA

really weakens me and I feel that if I hadn't been as vigilant about exercising

I would be in much worse shape than I am in right now. If you have access to a

pool that also feels fantastic on the joints.

You can also reconsider your diet. Make sure you are eating as healthily as

possible. I figure that anything we can do to keep better care of ourselves

really can't hurt. I take a multivitamin daily to make sure that I'm getting

all of my proper nutrients.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

February 1, 2009

Louise,

I will be right there with you taking Enbrel alone for about 6 more weeks if

things don't turn around for me. Last week my unemployment abruptly

stopped, leaving me without insurance. I could not refill my MTX. I'll be

talking

to a claims adjuster tomorrow or the next day so there is a chance things

will be reversed, but I still feel betrayed and beaten down. I am hoping

disability comes through, but it seems most everyone gets denied with that

first

time too. Anyway, I think I'll do ok with just Enbrel. I've been without for

2 weeks because of a cold , which I still have, and now a sore throat that

won't go away, but I need my enbrel so I'm going to take it. Good luck to you!

Heidi in Mass.

_

In a message dated 2/1/2009 9:51:43 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

louwheres@... writes:

Thank you all for the replies. I am really hoping no Mtx helps with my

problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only thing that improved fatigue

for me was Enbrel---it'Thank you all for the replies. I am really hoping no Mtx

helps with my problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only t

I just read an interesting study on Medscape which showed Mtx stays in your

body much longer than previously known--bringing into question the ideas of

stopping it when you're sick or prior to elective surgery. It also makes me

think I will not really know if or how much my tinnitus might improve for quite

awh

ile ---it says it can stay in your body for 120 days! Louise

**************Know Your Numbers: Get tips and tools to help you improve your

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February 1, 2009

Hi ,

I will get it checked out once I have an answer about my health insurance.

Until then, I'm frozen. I have to take my chances.

Heidi in Mass.

_

In a message dated 2/1/2009 10:13:07 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

renandstimpy3@... writes:

I am on enbrel as monotherapy and do well with it. as for the sore throat my

son has strep with scarlet fever. so you might want to get it checked out.

Re: [ ] Re: Enbrel as monotherapy

Louise,

I will be right there with you taking Enbrel alone for about 6 more weeks if

things don't turn around for me. Last week my unemployment abruptly

stopped, leaving me without insurance. I could not refill my MTX. I'll be

talking

to a claims adjuster tomorrow or the next day so there is a chance things

will be reversed, but I still feel betrayed and beaten down. I am hoping

disability comes through, but it seems most everyone gets denied with that

first

time too. Anyway, I think I'll do ok with just Enbrel. I've been without for

2 weeks because of a cold , which I still have, and now a sore throat that

won't go away, but I need my enbrel so I'm going to take it. Good luck to

you!

Heidi in Mass.

_

In a message dated 2/1/2009 9:51:43 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

_ (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/barackobam409128.html)

_louwheres@..._ (mailto:louwheres@...) _ writes:

Thank you all for the replies. I am really hoping no Mtx helps with my

problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only thing that improved

fatigue

for me was Enbrel---it'for me was Enbrel---it'<WBR>Thank you all for the

replies

helps with my problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only t

I just read an interesting study on Medscape which showed Mtx stays in your

body much longer than previously known--bringing into question the ideas of

stopping it when you're sick or prior to elective surgery. It also makes me

think I will not really know if or how much my tinnitus might improve for

quite

awh

ile ---it says it can stay in your body for 120 days! Louise

************************<WBR>**Know Your Numbers: Get tips and tools to help

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February 1, 2009

Thank you all for the replies. I am really hoping no Mtx helps with my

problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only thing that improved

fatigue for me was Enbrel---it's not gone but much less than when I was on just

Mtx or Arava or Plaquinil.( or Humira which did nothing at all for me).

I just read an interesting study on Medscape which showed Mtx stays in your

body much longer than previously known--bringing into question the ideas of

stopping it when you're sick or prior to elective surgery. It also makes me

think I will not really know if or how much my tinnitus might improve for quite

awh

ile ---it says it can stay in your body for 120 days! Louise

February 1, 2009

I am on enbrel as monotherapy and do well with it. as for the sore throat my

son has strep with scarlet fever. so you might want to get it checked out.

Re: [ ] Re: Enbrel as monotherapy

Louise,

I will be right there with you taking Enbrel alone for about 6 more weeks if

things don't turn around for me. Last week my unemployment abruptly

stopped, leaving me without insurance. I could not refill my MTX. I'll be

talking

to a claims adjuster tomorrow or the next day so there is a chance things

will be reversed, but I still feel betrayed and beaten down. I am hoping

disability comes through, but it seems most everyone gets denied with that

first

time too. Anyway, I think I'll do ok with just Enbrel. I've been without for

2 weeks because of a cold , which I still have, and now a sore throat that

won't go away, but I need my enbrel so I'm going to take it. Good luck to you!

Heidi in Mass.

_

In a message dated 2/1/2009 9:51:43 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

louwheres@... writes:

Thank you all for the replies. I am really hoping no Mtx helps with my

problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only thing that improved

fatigue

for me was Enbrel---it'Thank you all for the replies. I am really hoping no

Mtx

helps with my problems and Enbrel alone is enough. Stan: the only t

I just read an interesting study on Medscape which showed Mtx stays in your

body much longer than previously known--bringing into question the ideas of

stopping it when you're sick or prior to elective surgery. It also makes me

think I will not really know if or how much my tinnitus might improve for

quite

awh

ile ---it says it can stay in your body for 120 days! Louise

**************Know Your Numbers: Get tips and tools to help you improve your

credit score.

(http://www.walletpop.com/credit/credit-reports?ncid=emlcntuswall00000002)

February 1, 2009

Actually I am replying to the fatigue portion of this discussion. I was

diagnosed at age 56 and I am now 61. Fatigue has always been my number 1 problem

even though I have had pain as well. I am currently injecting Humira every week

and have for the last 3 years and I am injecting MTX weekly for 1 1/2 years.

When I moved to SC the Rheumy I first went to took me off of the injectable MTX

because he felt the Asacol I take for Collogeous Colitis (another auto immune

disease) and MTX was too much to take together. After a year I changed Rheumy's

and this one said he would be glad to try the injectable MTX again with regular

blood tests. I laughed when he pointed out the highest my liver values had been

was when I was off the MTX. I do believe the MTX really helps the pain with my

RA.

With or without the MTX I definitely have fatigue. I seem to require 10 to 12

hours of sleep daily. If I don't get that much sleep during the night, I require

a nap during the day. Every time I'm asked about sleep, I answer truthfully, 10

to 12 hours out of 24. My Rheumy and his Assoc. just look at me and write it

down. I feel I am unusual, but I know I require that much sleep since I was

diagnosed. Before RA I could survive on 6 hours of sleep and still work a full

day, after diagnoses I simply couldn't. That was one reason I went to the doctor

other than the constant pain in my hands that I was taking many Advil for.

I would like to add that as inconvenient as the fatigue is, I can handle that

more than I could if pain was my #1 complaint. Family members and friends have a

problem understanding the fatigue, but I have gotten to the point, I don't even

explain anymore, I just say I am not a morning person. Even when I do wake, it

still takes a while before I can get out of bed and walk around. I am posting so

you know that you are not the only one with sever fatigue.

conniekay

February 2, 2009

Leave the groundhog alone! Perhaps he is on MTX!!!!

Heidi in Mass.

_

In a message dated 2/2/2009 12:49:12 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

kamilleon@... writes:

Here is where I found things I lost while having brain fog from MTX:

Refrigerator.

Freezer.

Bathroom.

Bookcase I NEVER USE.

Why? Beats me. I have never felt so dumbed down than when I was on MTX.

Kami

Pennsylvania.Pennsylvania.<WBR>..debating how to cook the Groundhog

****~**** Kami ****~****

----- Original Message -----

From:

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_stanpfister@stanpfister_ (mailto:stanpfister@...) _

_ (http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/b/barackobam409128.html)

_ @groRA-SUPP_ (mailto: ) _

Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 12:16 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Enbrel as monotherapy

I haven't tried it yet, I am going to discuss it with my Rheumatologist.

Speaking of not remembering things, I lost the power adapter to my new laptop,

I

can't tell you how annoyed I am, I am sure it was the day after MTX because

I know longer have any kids around to blame. I don't buy things like new

laptops very often, just wondering if you've seen it?

Stan,

Seattle, Hazy.

..

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February 2, 2009

I've thought about going off the MTX for a couple of weeks to see how I feel and

perhaps test myself, but the pain is ungodly and the medication I'm prescribed

for that makes me drowsy, so there doesn't seem to be any point. Also, it takes

a while to get the right dose so that it is the most effective, I am still only

on the oral. but, I am not taking anything else so I guess I should be happy

with that.

Stan

Seattle, Cloudy.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " cmcpherson " <cmcpherson@...>