Hi everyone

[Guest guest]

I wanted to say Hi and let you all know I am glad this list is here.

I have been silent for some time, but that is because I was in denial

about my RA. Although I accepted the diagnosis, I had refused to

understand the severity of it. I guess I finally do now. Anyway, I

am glad to be back and so glad this list is here.

Some may remember, I was diagosed with RA in May, although I am

certain I had it much longer than that. My tests were always

negative until the CCP (or whatever it is called protein test) was

done. My RA is considered the aggressive form.

I went on antibiotic therapy in June and did great. Got off all the

Pred and all pain killers. But, in January it was like the

antibiotics just stopped working. My hands hurt all the time, so did

my toes and knees. My Rheumy told me that any drug can just stop

working with RA and strongly recommended I try Methtrexate. She said

the RA is in my ankles, fingers, toes, and knees. I thought it was

about time I went on a stronger medicine.

I waited another month and decided she was right. When I went back

2/05, my Rheumy told me since my Rheumy is aggressive and that I have

had RA for less than 3 years, I was eligible to participate in a

research study where they are trying combination drugs for early

aggressive RA to see if that gets/keeps the disease under control

better. The study is for 2 years and it just started.

There are 4 groups in the study.

One takes Methtrexate only

One takes MTX and Enbrel

One takes MTX and Sulfathalazine (sp)

One takes MTX and Hydrochloriqine (sp)

No one knows except the study coordinator at Univ of Alabama. Your

Rheumy does not even know which drugs (other than the MTX that

everyone is on) that you are taking. If after 6 months you do not

improve, your drugs are changes to MTX and one of the other drugs you

are not on. All drugs are free for the 2 year period. The small

pain in the neck part of it is you take the shots, and all 4 drugs.

But, a couple of them are placebos.

My Rheumy thinks I got Enbrel though because I get injection site

reactions--red rash--hot and a little swollen--each time I get my

weekly shot. Goes away in a day or so though.

My first meds (MTX and maybe Enbrel ?) were 2/16. My pain has

diminished dramatically, but the swelling is still in my hands. I

could go on Pred, but prefer to wait it out.

Anyway, I am very glad to be back posting to this list. I will keep

everyone informed of anything I learn during the course of the study.