Re: Just got back from rheummy

[Guest guest]

I think too many side effects counts as failing. If you can't tolerate a drug it is obviously not working for you. Too bad it didn't. It has held mine at bay for quite a long time.

Annette

On 12/20/05, aclavern33@... <aclavern33@...> wrote:

Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really didn't do much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork required by my disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He is not doing anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it would be a waste with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in full force. I go back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT looking forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention I really can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.

This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to pay for my lab tests cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to meet a deductible first before they will pay for anything...so the next few rounds of labs will be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs in office I would just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I asked the insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to call around and ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there contract with CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have doubled...and my coverage is half of what I had before the change to Cigna. The people at Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started December 1st and I have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards. So I had to print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.

So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to figure this all out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I can NOT afford to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me. Plus my insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on MTX...which I didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and I refused to take it anymore.

Toni

[Guest guest]

My Methotrexate experience was horrible...it was 6-9 months of pure

torture and hell!!! I had all the side effects. I was so glad to

get off the darn drug. I finally quit taking it and throw the poison

in the trash. Then came the big MTX shortage...my rheummy wanted me

to restart it and I just kept making excuses that there was none to

be had...the pharmacy was rationing what they were getting...a month

after that my rheummy moved away and I was so happy. He was a total

butthead. He never listened to anything I said and treated me like a

peice of meat. He was only concerned with my labwork.

I have a new rheummy who is a good listener. I like him. He also

has a nurse practicioner that is his wife which makes a really nice

office environment. He says he will not force me on a drug that I do

not want to take or make me restart one that I have not done well on

in the past.

I spent the entire afternoon on the phone with the insurance trying

to figure out how to pay for these meds. I learned that humira,

enbrel,remicaide, kineret and MTX injectable plus any needed supplies

are covered at 100% no co-pay. so I guess that is so far the only

good thing I can say about my new insurance.

Now I need to figure out how to pay for labs. I probably will end up

not starting on any high tech meds cause if the need for frequent

labs which I can't afford.

Toni

> >

> > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really

didn't do

> > much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork required by

my

> > disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He

is not doing

> > anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it would

be a waste

> > with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in full

force. I go

> > back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT

looking

> > forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention

I really

> > can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.

> >

> > This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to pay for my

lab tests

> > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to meet a

deductible

> > first before they will pay for anything...so the next few rounds

of labs

> > will be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs in

office I would

> > just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I asked

the

> > insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to call

around and

> > ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there

contract with

> > CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have

doubled...and my

> > coverage is half of what I had before the change to Cigna. The

people at

> > Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started

December 1st and I

> > have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards. So I

had to

> > print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.

> >

> > So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to figure

this all

> > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I can

NOT afford

> > to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me. Plus

my

> > insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on

MTX...which I

> > didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and I

refused to

> > take it anymore.

> >

> > Toni

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Toni,

I hope things get better. I know what you mean about

ins. co. The one I have has a $1000 deductable. I

didn't even meet it this year. Looks like we could get

some better coverage. But it seems like they want

everyone to suffer. You are in my prayers.

Beth in AR

--- aclavern33@... wrote:

> Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance.

> He really didn't do much

> this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork

> required by my disability

> insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He

> is not doing anything at

> all until the weather warms up. He claims it would

> be a waste with everyone

> getting sick with the cold and flu season in full

> force. I go back in two

> months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT

> looking forward to this. I

> do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention I

> really can't afford it. So I

> am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.

>

> This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to

> pay for my lab tests

> cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I

> have to meet a deductible

> first before they will pay for anything...so the

> next few rounds of labs will

> be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs

> in office I would just

> have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when

> I asked the insurance what

> docs have in office labs I was told I need to call

> around and ask the docs if

> they were approved as in house lab in there contract

> with CIGNA. This

> insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have

> doubled...and my coverage is half of

> what I had before the change to Cigna. The people

> at Cigna are less than

> helpful....plus the insurance started December 1st

> and I have yet to get any new

> benefits package or even ID cards. So I had to

> print out temporary

> cards...which are only good for one week.

>

> So I get to suffer for another two months while I

> try to figure this all

> out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any

> labs and I can NOT afford to

> take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with

> me. Plus my insurance

> will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on

> MTX...which I didn't really

> fail...but it had far too many side effects and I

> refused to take it anymore.

>

> Toni

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Toni, I have been on enbrel x2 years and I don't have any regular labs. in fact, except for pre-op and post-op checks on my hip replacements, the only labs I have are for my yearly physical. gentle hugs! MarciaMs radar <aclavern33@...> wrote: My Methotrexate experience was horrible...it was 6-9 months of pure torture and hell!!! I had all the side effects. I was so glad to get off the darn drug. I finally quit taking it and throw the poison in the trash. Then came the big MTX shortage...my rheummy wanted me to restart it and I just kept making excuses that there was none to be had...the pharmacy was rationing what they were getting...a month after that my rheummy moved away and I was so happy. He was a total butthead. He never listened to anything I said

and treated me like a peice of meat. He was only concerned with my labwork.I have a new rheummy who is a good listener. I like him. He also has a nurse practicioner that is his wife which makes a really nice office environment. He says he will not force me on a drug that I do not want to take or make me restart one that I have not done well on in the past.I spent the entire afternoon on the phone with the insurance trying to figure out how to pay for these meds. I learned that humira, enbrel,remicaide, kineret and MTX injectable plus any needed supplies are covered at 100% no co-pay. so I guess that is so far the only good thing I can say about my new insurance.Now I need to figure out how to pay for labs. I probably will end up not starting on any high tech meds cause if the need for frequent labs which I can't afford.Toni> >> > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really didn't do> > much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork required by my> > disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He is not doing> > anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it would be a waste> > with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in full force. I go> > back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am

NOT looking> > forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention I really> > can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.> >> > This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to pay for my lab tests> > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to meet a deductible> > first before they will pay for anything...so the next few rounds of labs> > will be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs in office I would> > just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I asked the> > insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to call around and> > ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there contract with> > CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have doubled...and my> > coverage is half of

what I had before the change to Cigna. The people at> > Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started December 1st and I> > have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards. So I had to> > print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.> >> > So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to figure this all> > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I can NOT afford> > to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me. Plus my> > insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on MTX...which I> > didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and I refused to> > take it anymore.> >> > Toni> >> >>__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Beth,

Thanks for the well wishes. It seems like the insurance companies

are out to get us. I called hubby's HR department to day and

complained about how I had been treated. Also the fact that I had

not even gotten ID cards yet. The guy on the phone was very helpful

and let me know this is what they need to hear as they are planning

on dropping Cigna next year due to complaints and lots of disatisfied

employees.

Glad to hear that you are getting better coverage. I had already

said well if they refuse to cover it maybe I can get on one of the

free med programs.

Toni

>

> > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance.

> > He really didn't do much

> > this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork

> > required by my disability

> > insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He

> > is not doing anything at

> > all until the weather warms up. He claims it would

> > be a waste with everyone

> > getting sick with the cold and flu season in full

> > force. I go back in two

> > months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT

> > looking forward to this. I

> > do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention I

> > really can't afford it. So I

> > am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.

> >

> > This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to

> > pay for my lab tests

> > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I

> > have to meet a deductible

> > first before they will pay for anything...so the

> > next few rounds of labs will

> > be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs

> > in office I would just

> > have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when

> > I asked the insurance what

> > docs have in office labs I was told I need to call

> > around and ask the docs if

> > they were approved as in house lab in there contract

> > with CIGNA. This

> > insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have

> > doubled...and my coverage is half of

> > what I had before the change to Cigna. The people

> > at Cigna are less than

> > helpful....plus the insurance started December 1st

> > and I have yet to get any new

> > benefits package or even ID cards. So I had to

> > print out temporary

> > cards...which are only good for one week.

> >

> > So I get to suffer for another two months while I

> > try to figure this all

> > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any

> > labs and I can NOT afford to

> > take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with

> > me. Plus my insurance

> > will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on

> > MTX...which I didn't really

> > fail...but it had far too many side effects and I

> > refused to take it anymore.

> >

> > Toni

> >

> >

> > [Non-text portions of this message have been

> > removed]

> >

> >

>

>

> __________________________________________________

>

[Guest guest]

So not even to make sure the Enbrel is not suppressing your immune

system too much? I would be concerned about my white count as well

as my red count. MTX has really messed up my red count. Ihave been

anemic since taking it and since being off it.

I don't know why my doc wants to continue checking my labs...but he

checks my liver function, CBC with diff, ESR every two months.

Toni

> > >

> > > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really

> didn't do

> > > much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork required

by

> my

> > > disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He

> is not doing

> > > anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it would

> be a waste

> > > with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in full

> force. I go

> > > back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT

> looking

> > > forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to

mention

> I really

> > > can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.

> > >

> > > This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to pay for my

> lab tests

> > > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to meet

a

> deductible

> > > first before they will pay for anything...so the next few

rounds

> of labs

> > > will be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs in

> office I would

> > > just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I

asked

> the

> > > insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to

call

> around and

> > > ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there

> contract with

> > > CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have

> doubled...and my

> > > coverage is half of what I had before the change to Cigna. The

> people at

> > > Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started

> December 1st and I

> > > have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards. So

I

> had to

> > > print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.

> > >

> > > So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to figure

> this all

> > > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I

can

> NOT afford

> > > to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me.

Plus

> my

> > > insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on

> MTX...which I

> > > didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and I

> refused to

> > > take it anymore.

> > >

> > > Toni

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I had monthly labs when I took mtx = but had to go off, as my liver function was really poor. I bounced right back to normal when that poison finally got out of my system. On enbrel, I feel really good. My flares are fewer, and don't last as long. I have no problem "shooting" myself x2 weekly. I always tell myself, that I am blessed not to be diabetic, and having to inject x3 daily, plus finger sticks. Marcia Ms radar <aclavern33@...> wrote: So not even to make sure the Enbrel is not suppressing your immune system too much? I would be concerned about my white count as well as my red count. MTX has really messed up my red count. Ihave been anemic since taking it and since being off it. I don't know why my doc wants to continue checking my

labs...but he checks my liver function, CBC with diff, ESR every two months.Toni> > >> > > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really > didn't do> > > much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork required by > my> > >

disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He > is not doing> > > anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it would > be a waste> > > with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in full > force. I go> > > back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT > looking> > > forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention > I really> > > can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.> > >> > > This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to pay for my > lab tests> > > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to meet a > deductible> > > first before they will pay for anything...so the next few rounds > of labs> > > will be totally on me. If

I went to a doc that does labs in > office I would> > > just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I asked > the> > > insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to call > around and> > > ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there > contract with> > > CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have > doubled...and my> > > coverage is half of what I had before the change to Cigna. The > people at> > > Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started > December 1st and I> > > have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards. So I > had to> > > print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.> > >> > > So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to figure > this

all> > > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I can > NOT afford> > > to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me. Plus > my> > > insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on > MTX...which I> > > didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and I > refused to> > > take it anymore.> > >> > > Toni> > >> > >> >> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I think I chose Humira so I wouldn't have to stick myself so often and agree totally about being very grateful that I'm not diabetic.Marcia Stoyle <marciastoyle@...> wrote: I had monthly labs when I took mtx = but had to go off, as my liver function was really poor. I bounced right back to normal when that poison finally got out of my system. On enbrel, I feel really good. My flares are fewer, and don't last as long. I have no problem "shooting" myself x2 weekly. I always tell myself, that I am blessed not to be diabetic, and having to inject x3 daily, plus finger sticks. Marcia Ms radar <aclavern33@...> wrote: So not even to

make sure the Enbrel is not suppressing your immune system too much? I would be concerned about my white count as well as my red count. MTX has really messed up my red count. Ihave been anemic since taking it and since being off it. I don't know why my doc wants to continue checking my labs...but he checks my liver function, CBC with diff, ESR every two months.Toni> > >> > > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really > didn't do> > > much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork required by > my> > > disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess. He > is not doing> > > anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it would > be a waste> > > with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in full > force. I go> > > back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am NOT > looking> > > forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to mention > I really> > > can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.> > >> > > This new insurance is a PPO and it

sucks. I have to pay for my > lab tests> > > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to meet a > deductible> > > first before they will pay for anything...so the next few rounds > of labs> > > will be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs in > office I would> > > just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I asked > the> > > insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to call > around and> > > ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there > contract with> > > CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have > doubled...and my> > > coverage is half of what I had before the change to Cigna. The > people at> > > Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started >

December 1st and I> > > have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards. So I > had to> > > print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.> > >> > > So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to figure > this all> > > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I can > NOT afford> > > to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me. Plus > my> > > insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on > MTX...which I> > > didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and I > refused to> > > take it anymore.> > >> > > Toni> > >> > >> >> > > > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Its good it works for you. I hated the injections twice a week. It

was just a pain in the butt. But I was also on MTX injections at the

same time...the whole thing was just VERY unpleasent.

I am iff MTX and Enbrel now. I had weight loss surgery(lapband) and

had to come off for surgery. I just never bothered to go back on. I

did try once and it made me sick as a dog again and I told the doc NO

more POISON.

Since then I have changed rheummy's and at first this one wanted to

sart with one med at a time. It was easy cause I had not been on any

meds for nine months. So he started with Doxycycline after having a

severe case of bursitis in my hip. The Doxy made me real sick..my

pouch(stomach) could not handle the doxy...so he stopped that and

added Plaquinil which I have been on now nearly 4 months...when I

remember to take it. I have Lodine XL to also take but I have to

take Nexium when I can get samples or Prilosec which doesn't work

when I can't get samples to protect my stomach.

So I am running out of drug choices. so far I have been on MTX pills

and injections, Arava, Doxycycline, and Enbrel. He says next is

Humira..or I guess Kineret or Remicaide. Which I have told him NO

INJECTIONS IF THEY BURN. Which I heard that Humira, Kineret and

Enbrel pre-mixed burn like hell!!

So my small sensitive pouch is a real issue when prescribing meds.

PLus I am allergic to all sulfa drugs so that eliminates some meds.

Toni

> > > >

> > > > Well I went to the rheummy with my new insurance. He really

> > didn't do

> > > > much this visit except fill out the tons of paperwork

required

> by

> > my

> > > > disability insurance. My toes, ankles and hips are a mess.

He

> > is not doing

> > > > anything at all until the weather warms up. He claims it

would

> > be a waste

> > > > with everyone getting sick with the cold and flu season in

full

> > force. I go

> > > > back in two months and he plans to start Humira then. I am

NOT

> > looking

> > > > forward to this. I do NOT want to take this drug. Not to

> mention

> > I really

> > > > can't afford it. So I am still on Plaquinil and Lodine.

> > > >

> > > > This new insurance is a PPO and it sucks. I have to pay for

my

> > lab tests

> > > > cause my doc does not do labs in his office. So I have to

meet

> a

> > deductible

> > > > first before they will pay for anything...so the next few

> rounds

> > of labs

> > > > will be totally on me. If I went to a doc that does labs in

> > office I would

> > > > just have a co-pay. Well that would be great...but when I

> asked

> > the

> > > > insurance what docs have in office labs I was told I need to

> call

> > around and

> > > > ask the docs if they were approved as in house lab in there

> > contract with

> > > > CIGNA. This insurance really sucks. My co-pays are have

> > doubled...and my

> > > > coverage is half of what I had before the change to Cigna.

The

> > people at

> > > > Cigna are less than helpful....plus the insurance started

> > December 1st and I

> > > > have yet to get any new benefits package or even ID cards.

So

> I

> > had to

> > > > print out temporary cards...which are only good for one week.

> > > >

> > > > So I get to suffer for another two months while I try to

figure

> > this all

> > > > out. At first look it appears I will NOT get any labs and I

> can

> > NOT afford

> > > > to take Humira...which on the Humira issue is fine with me.

> Plus

> > my

> > > > insurance will not pay for Humira unless you have failed on

> > MTX...which I

> > > > didn't really fail...but it had far too many side effects and

I

> > refused to

> > > > take it anymore.

> > > >

> > > > Toni

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Enbrel burns for you???? you must be on the pre-mixed. I never took

that. I always took the one you have to mix.

At one point I was just like you...now it kinda moves around. Now

its my hands and feet that are the worst.

I just don't tlike the idea of frankenstein medicine...these drugs

are still very new with serious and sometimes fatal side effects. I

met a lady with RA that went blind on Enbrel due to a rare side

effect optic neuritis. Another lady that now has lymphoma and is

fighting for her life. So I would rather avoid any drus that have

not been around for a LONG time.

Toni

>

>

>

> In a message dated 12/22/2005 9:44:48 P.M. Central Standard Time,

> aclavern33@a... writes:

>

> So I am running out of drug choices. so far I have been on MTX

pills

> and injections, Arava, Doxycycline, and Enbrel. He says next is

> Humira..or I guess Kineret or Remicaide. Which I have told him NO

> INJECTIONS IF THEY BURN. Which I heard that Humira, Kineret and

> Enbrel pre-mixed burn like hell!!

>

> Just how bad is your RA? Mine was so bad that I couldn't dress

myself,

> wear shoes, open

> doors... ect. It was a living hell. I don't mind injecting

myself once a

> week with Enbrel and taking the 4 pills of MTX once a week since I

am pretty

> close to normal now. Sure, Enbrel burns, but I didn't complain

until I had

> been on it for 5 months, then the doc told me to let warm up

longer, for 45

> minutes. It still burns, but there are people worse off than I am -

the ones who

> have diabetes who have to stick

> themselves several times a day.

> With MTX, my hair grows a lot slower and I haven't any hair on my

legs.

> I am not sure what is going to happen next though, because since I

started

> Enbrel, I've had this sore that popped up on the back of my neck

and it won't

> heal, I am pretty sure it has

> to do with Enbrel.

> Also, I have a lot of pain with my right hip and was told it was an

injured

> tendon, but I am

> not so sure. I have a difficult time walking long distances, ice

packs helps

> but that's about it.

>

>

>

> Becky

>

[Guest guest]

I really don't care for any medication, but I care even less for permanent joint damage and a wheelchair. To each their own. I use Methotrexate plus Remicade. God bless.

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

From: Ms radar

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, December 23, 2005 12:33 PM

Subject: Re: Just got back from rheummy

Enbrel burns for you???? you must be on the pre-mixed. I never took that. I always took the one you have to mix.At one point I was just like you...now it kinda moves around. Now its my hands and feet that are the worst. I just don't tlike the idea of frankenstein medicine...these drugs are still very new with serious and sometimes fatal side effects. I met a lady with RA that went blind on Enbrel due to a rare side effect optic neuritis. Another lady that now has lymphoma and is fighting for her life. So I would rather avoid any drus that have not been around for a LONG time.Toni

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/23/2005 2:34:32 P.M. Central Standard Time, aclavern33@... writes:

Enbrel burns for you???? you must be on the pre-mixed. I never took that. I always took the one you have to mix.At one point I was just like you...now it kinda moves around. Now its my hands and feet that are the worst. I just don't tlike the idea of frankenstein medicine...these drugs are still very new with serious and sometimes fatal side effects. I met a lady with RA that went blind on Enbrel due to a rare side effect optic neuritis. Another lady that now has lymphoma and is fighting for her life. So I would rather avoid any drus that have not been around for a LONG time.Toni

Yep, Enbrel burns going in, and I have the 50 mg pre-mixed needles, and I don't think I would want to do it any other way.

The biologic drugs are considered "designer drugs" and were made especially for RA.

My Rheumy told me that Enbrel has been around for "years" and I read that something like

250,000 people worldwide are taking the drug.

What drug is really considered "safe"? Even Tylenol is dangerous for the liver, and it's been

around for many years.

Life is too short not to have some quality of life. I am want quality, myself.

My only option without Enbrel, MTX, Prednisone and Celebrex. My other option would be

to stay in bed, but I could barely make it to the bathroom.

When you are backed into the corner you'll come out fighting...

When I ended up in the emergency room unable to keep anything down from the high dose of

MTX and Arava, I was more than willing to do the injections of Enbrel, as long as it works.

Plus, I have a job, bills to pay and my elderly mom to help take care of, no lying down here, too many people care about me to let me do that.

Becky

[Guest guest]

I hear ya Harold. That's where I would be

without Mtx and humira.

People can get cancer and lymphoma without these drugs, I've had enough

family members die from cancer than have not used any new drugs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maggie

http://www.4HockeyFans.com

http://www.4FloridaHockey.com

MSN: Maggies1429

AOL: Maggies85

Harold Van Tuyl wrote:

I really don't care for any

medication, but I care even less for permanent joint damage and a

wheelchair. To each their own. I use Methotrexate plus Remicade. God

bless.

[Guest guest]

I'll agree with you Becky. Actually I would like to try Rituxan. I don't have the joint inflammation I used to have but Sjogren's is inflamatory and I think there are other things going on in my body due to inflammation.

Annette

On 12/23/05, StarsHutch@... <StarsHutch@...> wrote:

In a message dated 12/23/2005 2:34:32 P.M. Central Standard Time, aclavern33@... writes:

Enbrel burns for you???? you must be on the pre-mixed. I never took that. I always took the one you have to mix.At one point I was just like you...now it kinda moves around. Now its my hands and feet that are the worst. I just don't tlike the idea of frankenstein medicine...these drugs are still very new with serious and sometimes fatal side effects. I met a lady with RA that went blind on Enbrel due to a rare side effect optic neuritis. Another lady that now has lymphoma and is fighting for her life. So I would rather avoid any drus that have not been around for a LONG time.