A possible RX conflict | Arthritis Information

I would like to ask for comments on one part of my prescription situation:

If I am on MTX to stop RA erosion, Plaquenil for lupus to control inflammation, and now have started Boniva for osteoporosis - isn't this kind of a conflict? I haven't done well at all since starting the Boniva, which has been 3 times now. Each month is a different reaction, but this month has been the first actual real RA symptoms of stiffness in my hands in the morning, and deep bone pain.

So I am trying to figure out if I am getting this right: I am taking Boniva to make my new bone growth be denser and less likely to fracture, but taking MTX to stop bone erosion? Is this a conflict or am I missing something here? I feel like my bones are in confusion and the pain has been pretty severe, which is not my usual symptomology.

I see my rheumy next Friday for my three-month check and am going to bring it up since this has happened since I last saw him. He never ordered a bone density test.

Thanks in advance - Cathy

Cathy I have no clue. Just wanted to wish you luck with getting this figured out. I am glad you see your doc. And to say I am sorry the pain is bad. It does sound like your poor bones just don't know what to do.

No - at least I don't think so, and this is why. The bone errosion that you're seeing, and that Boniva is treating is internal. It's not like the errosion that the MTX is controlling. MTX is controlling the disease that causes inflammation at the joint, which errodes(sp) the ends of the bone away.

Does that make ANY sense??? Plus, OA and RA act differently, and so the treatments are different.

The mtx is suppressing you immune system to stop the RA progression.
It is not actually affecting your bones just stopping what is.Thanks for the feed back. Cathy

I'd give feefback - but I have no idea :-(

Pip

Bone tissue is constantly breaking itself down and replacing lost bone tissue. Osteoclasts tear down old bone; osteoblasts build new bone. When this process is unbalanced, the bones can become weak because the osteoclasts break it down faster than the osteoblasts can build it up. Bisphosphonates, like Boniva, work by inhibiting the action of the osteoclasts (the cells that tear down the bones). Boniva doesn't stimulate bone growth; it slows the natural process of bone breakdown.

One of the known side effects of boniva is joint pain. If you feel your RA symptoms are increasing around the time period you take the boniva let your doctor know. There are other meds is that category you can try.

You already have the explaination why MTX and boniva aren't in conflict so I won't go into that