Prednisolone and Biologics questions

[Guest guest]

I've been having ups and downs in my blood test for the last few months

unfortunately. I'm on MTX and Arava. ALT has gone to 1.5 times upper ref limit,

White cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes getting lower and lower.

 

So I've stopped Arava and will see how things go. Pain has of course worsened,

even in some joints that I didn't have any trouble with. Prob hidden by the

meds. I cant take antiinfllamtories

 

Anyway, I wanted to ask people who've been on prednisolone, rheumy suggested

that I try 10 mg/week, then gradually drop it over a month. Has anyone got

experience of this? I did once take pred (50 mg) and felt quite odd and

peculiar, hope this doesnt happen. Should I expect troubel weaning off the

prednisolone at these doses?

 

He talked off biologics too. I dont know which one he's thinking of. I did have

mild-mod psoriasis which has almost completely disappeared, which one is best

for this as well. From my reading, Remicade has to be infused in over a few

hours which is a drag. Enbrel seems to be injected more frequently than Humira.

 

I know sometimes people stop having good effects from the biologics, and then

change the type. Does anyone change from say Enbrel to Humira and then back

again?

 

thanks everyone.

 

glad to see Ron back, did you tell us how your shoulder replacement went????? I

had a frozen shoulder a couple of years back which was the worst pain, so I can

well sympathize. Take care of yourself

 

regards

max