Re: Mono Therapy/To Harold

[Guest guest]

The things that you mention are interesting, Harold. In fact, I have been

having what I would term " low-grade " yeast infections, and have taken 2 of the

" one-pill " treatments, as well as eating yogurt 3-4 times a week and taking 2

capsules of acidophilis a day. Also trying not to eat sweets and overindulge

on breads and pasta but I admit that's tough, I am Italian after all!

The antibiotic treatment would not be an option for me as it has been

antibiotics taken from my last sinus infection that greatly contributed to the

problem.

Any more comments are appreciated.

>

> 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 them

>

> Anyway, just wondering if anyone just takes the TNF alone and what their

> experience is? Also, any suggestions would be most appreciated.

>

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