Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 , That's wonderful! PA can be fought, but give it an inch, it'll take a mile. Methotrexate gave me back my life. With it, I'm 99% normal. There is no reason for you to think that you cannot combat this. You have already given up some range of motion and possibly even some joint deterioration. Do NOT give up any more. FYI, I have read that IBS " could " be connected to PA too. And it seems very likely that your hernia and acid reflux could be part & parcel of the IBS. SO, you might just win on many fronts if you fight back. Don't back down, I bet you will soon be thinking " Why did I wait so long? " Stay Well, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 - I'm so glad you went back to the doctor! Way to go, girl! You must take the best care of yourself so that you can take the best care of your son. I hope the MTX works for you. In my opinion, it is one of the safest (because one of the oldest and most well- studied) drugs in our arsenal. The doctor will take regular blood tests to insure it's not harming your liver, so don't panic about the warnings on the patient info. If your liver numbers elevate they will stop the med, and your liver will recover very quickly. So, hopefully within a couple of months you will feel like a new woman! best, sherry z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Well I have also been off meds for many years. I had been pain free for over 2 1/2 years after joint replacement in 3 fingers. About 2 weeks ago I have experience my PA's return. When my PA started 9 years ago it was always on my left side. Unfortunately it is on both sides now. I can't move my right arm up and down without pain. My feet, ankles, and knees hurt, and one toe has swelled up. I finally decided to see my doctor and she prescribed celebrex. I am trying it out. I was always afraid to try methotrexate. I had been on Sulfasalazine years ago which didn't help. Anyhow is anyone on Celebrex? What kind of results did you see? Thanks Rita Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 4, 2008 Report Share Posted June 4, 2008 Rita - Celebrex may give you some relief from pain because it may reduce the inflammation. However, is does NOT prevent joint destruction. Even though you might feel better, your joints may continue to be damaged beyond repair. Only the drugs like methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira, Remicade, etc. can prevent permanent damage and sometimes send the disease into remission. Personally, I think you are playing with fire if you only use NSAIDs. You are risking becoming disabled. A lot of people are afraid of the side effects of the DMARDs, but one very possible side effect of not taking them is becoming crippled. To me, that is a very real and very serious side effect! It amazes me to hear how often people are willing to let joints become so bad they must be replaced by major surgery, rather than taking drugs that could prevent this from happening. best regards, sherry z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Hi Rita, I have been on this list for 4-5 years and I don't completely understand when people say " I'm afraid to try MTX " Here's why: Please understand that I'm do not mean to sound attacking of you or anyone else with that thought, but I do wonder how you rationalize your thoughts. I too had apprehension. The side effects sound daunting. But, have you ever read the side effects on a bottle of aspirin? They too sound like it isn't worth taking a risk. And OK, suppose you DO try MTX and DO have vomiting/nausea or one of the side effects, you can always STOP taking it. It's effects do not last forever. You are afraid of a drug that " could " put your disease in remission, and it's " possible " negative effects are temporary at worst, yet you weren't afraid to have operations to have 3 finger joints replaced? I don't understand that. I just can't see how that is any less scary than taking a pill or how to rationalize surgeries as easier. Sorry, I realize this sounds a bit antagonistic, and I certainly respect everyone's needs to make their own decisions based on their own bodies and lives, but I wonder how you rationalize the fear. Stay Well, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Celebrex is nothing but an NSAID so may give you some minimal pain relief but will do nothing to stop the destruction that PA causes. I've not taken MTX; my doctor put me on Enbrel and I, too, was afraid at first; but the difference it made has been so dramatic that I wouldn't dream of going off it now. MTX is even safer. Don't hesitate any longer; you will be sorry if you do . . . . . . Joanna Hoelscher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 5, 2008 Report Share Posted June 5, 2008 Eva, yes it is very important to read all the patient inserts with all of our drugs. We need to know what is possible, what is normal and not serious, and what is serious so that we can seek help quickly if we start to have a serious side effect. That's a very important point and I thank you for reminding everyone of that. best regards, sherry z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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