Guest guest Posted October 18, 2005 Report Share Posted October 18, 2005 I'm on Methotrexate and Remicade. I have read that Remicade was only approved by the FDA for RA in combination with Methotrexate but that is generally taken to mean with some other DMARD. Methotrexate is not compatible with pregnancy but I think Plaquenil might be, but I think it is generally less effective than Methotrexate. The reason for the other DMARD is that Remicade is partly from mouse protein and they are afraid that the body may identify that as foreign matter and try to eliminate it. The other DMARD is intended to combat this kind of rejection. Some people feel that candida or similar might contribute to RA pains so you might check for candida and treat it if it is present. Also others are successful in reducing symptoms with antibiotic therapy such as endorsed by the Road Back Foundation http://www.roadback.org You might ask if that is a possibility for you. I have never tried these because Remicade plus Methotrexate seem to work well for me. There are a lot of possible ways to combat RA and conventional Western medicine is only one of them, and there are many options even within this one option. I hope you find something that works for you. Don't hesitate to get a second opionion if you feel that your disease is not being treated aggressively enough. God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Monday, October 17, 2005 6:15 PM Subject: Mono Therapy First off- hello to our new members. I wish I could answer you all personally but my RA has been bad in my hands and fingers and I can no longer type. I use a pen to press the keys.Anyway, this brings me to my question. Is anyone here on a TNF blocker only? I am and in the last few months it has not been cutting it, with me experiencing RA in new locations of my hands, fingers and toes. My Rheumy who originally diagnosed it wanted to see how well I could be without the MTX or other combo therapy. I have always had a bit of pain but very liveable, but lately I have pain everyday and find I am needing to turn to narcotics approx. every other day and I am literally crying before I take it.I am just about to start trying for a baby so now is not the time for the MTX! Also, I don't want to be taking narcotics either, that's why I am waiting until I am crying to take themAnyway, just wondering if anyone just takes the TNF alone and what their experience is? Also, any suggestions would be most appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 In a message dated 10/17/2005 8:15:44 P.M. Central Standard Time, catdelouise@... writes: First off- hello to our new members. I wish I could answer you all personally but my RA has been bad in my hands and fingers and I can no longer type. I use a pen to press the keys.Anyway, this brings me to my question. Is anyone here on a TNF blocker only? I am and in the last few months it has not been cutting it, with me experiencing RA in new locations of my hands, fingers and toes. My Rheumy who originally diagnosed it wanted to see how well I could be without the MTX or other combo therapy. I have always had a bit of pain but very liveable, but lately I have pain everyday and find I am needing to turn to narcotics approx. every other day and I am literally crying before I take it.I am just about to start trying for a baby so now is not the time for the MTX! Also, I don't want to be taking narcotics either, that's why I am waiting until I am crying to take themAnyway, just wondering if anyone just takes the TNF alone and what their experience is? Also, any suggestions would be most appreciated. Hello, I was taking MTX and Arava, but had to quit because of the vomiting it caused, so I started out with just Enbrel and it worked okay when the MTX was still in my system. Because of how much I weigh, the Enbrel alone isn't strong enough. My doc wanted to start me on Remicaid, but I talked him out of it, and asked him to do a Enbrel and MTX pills combo. I am on the lowest dose of MTX now and still on 10 mg of Prednisone. I was flaring for a couple of months as I was ill. Flares are gone now, but I am sick again with a virus. Called the doc today and he said to skip the Enbrel this week but take the MTX. I am suppose to go down to 5 mg of Prednisone the end of this week, and hoping it won't cause a flare. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 I was until I lost my insurance. I didn't think it was doing too great, til I had to go off it because I couldn't afford to pay it all out of my pocket. Since then, I feel pretty awful most days and hurt unbelievable. I do try to wait on the vicodin, but then, when I do take it, I feel so bad that that's probably why it's not touching the pain. Take care! ~StarsHutch@... wrote: In a message dated 10/17/2005 8:15:44 P.M. Central Standard Time, catdelouise@... writes: First off- hello to our new members. I wish I could answer you all personally but my RA has been bad in my hands and fingers and I can no longer type. I use a pen to press the keys.Anyway, this brings me to my question. Is anyone here on a TNF blocker only? I am and in the last few months it has not been cutting it, with me experiencing RA in new locations of my hands, fingers and toes. My Rheumy who originally diagnosed it wanted to see how well I could be without the MTX or other combo therapy. I have always had a bit of pain but very liveable, but lately I have pain everyday and find I am needing to turn to narcotics approx. every other day and I am literally crying before I take it.I am just about to start trying for a baby so now is not the time for the MTX! Also, I don't want to be taking narcotics either, that's why I am waiting until I am crying to take themAnyway, just wondering if anyone just takes the TNF alone and what their experience is? Also, any suggestions would be most appreciated. Hello, I was taking MTX and Arava, but had to quit because of the vomiting it caused, so I started out with just Enbrel and it worked okay when the MTX was still in my system. Because of how much I weigh, the Enbrel alone isn't strong enough. My doc wanted to start me on Remicaid, but I talked him out of it, and asked him to do a Enbrel and MTX pills combo. I am on the lowest dose of MTX now and still on 10 mg of Prednisone. I was flaring for a couple of months as I was ill. Flares are gone now, but I am sick again with a virus. Called the doc today and he said to skip the Enbrel this week but take the MTX. I am suppose to go down to 5 mg of Prednisone the end of this week, and hoping it won't cause a flare. Becky "If we do not do that which God has called us to do, then we have misused the specific gifts God has given and the work will be left undone". Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2005 Report Share Posted October 19, 2005 In a message dated 10/19/2005 8:05:52 A.M. Central Standard Time, shelsmieg2000@... writes: I was until I lost my insurance. I didn't think it was doing too great, til I had to go off it because I couldn't afford to pay it all out of my pocket. Since then, I feel pretty awful most days and hurt unbelievable. I do try to wait on the vicodin, but then, when I do take it, I feel so bad that that's probably why it's not touching the pain. Take care! ~ How are you getting Vicodin but not getting some type of meds for RA? I would think that your doctor would at least put you on Prednisone or something for the pain. For me, the pain is unbearable without the meds that I am on now. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 In a message dated 10/19/2005 9:33:45 P.M. Central Standard Time, shelsmieg2000@... writes: He did prescribe prednisone, and I do occasionally take it, but it's really helped me put a lot of weight on, so I avoid it as much as possible. ~ I've been on Prednisone a lot longer than my doc had hoped. I gained 20 pounds on 15 mgs but lost 10 in fluid when I dropped the dose back to 7 mg. Still have 10 pounds to go. Becky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 20, 2005 Report Share Posted October 20, 2005 He did prescribe prednisone, and I do occasionally take it, but it's really helped me put a lot of weight on, so I avoid it as much as possible. ~StarsHutch@... wrote: In a message dated 10/19/2005 8:05:52 A.M. Central Standard Time, shelsmieg2000@... writes: I was until I lost my insurance. I didn't think it was doing too great, til I had to go off it because I couldn't afford to pay it all out of my pocket. Since then, I feel pretty awful most days and hurt unbelievable. I do try to wait on the vicodin, but then, when I do take it, I feel so bad that that's probably why it's not touching the pain. Take care! ~ How are you getting Vicodin but not getting some type of meds for RA? I would think that your doctor would at least put you on Prednisone or something for the pain. For me, the pain is unbearable without the meds that I am on now. Becky "If we do not do that which God has called us to do, then we have misused the specific gifts God has given and the work will be left undone". Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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