Hi all, I don't know if this is of value to any of you who are struggling with medications, but here goes.
March : I started taking Prednisone (15mgs) after a horrible flare related to an operation, they couldn't give me any RA meds. My pain stopped.
April I was given 300 mgs of Remicade and 20 mgs. of methotrexate. Some improvement, but stiff, swollen hands, no pain. Still on prednisone
May-& June 300mgs of Remicade/20mgs. metho. (same but I started having severe pain in my left foot!?) Still on Prednisone but only 10 mgs.
July 500 Remicade, 20 metho, August & Mid-September. I still had pain in my foot. (5 pred)
September 21st. after last infusion of Remicade the pain left my foot!! (I kept begging for a cortisone shot , but my doctor just 'looked at me' and siad, be patient......Hurrah he was right.
Sept 21st until now, got off of the prednisone! I felt some stiffness and tired,but didn't return to the pred. I go for the next Infusion of Remicade in October. Still on 20 mgs of metho.
Someday, I'd like to reduce the Remicade? when, I don't know and take less methotrexate, but who knows? Maybe I'm stuck with this amount?
Right now I'm doing well, maintaining a comfort level without additional medication. No pain.
I hope you can all benefit from my medication trial and error. I don't know if it was because it took that long for the Remicade to work for me, and I don't understand why my foot started to hurt into the Remicade?????that was a mystery.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this continues to work for me. My insurance 'runs out of the deductable' in January, so I'll be paying 0, a month after that! (the medicare pays 00! of the Remicade! I can't complain too loudly, I could not afford this without government/insurance)
I hope this will give you hope if you are planning to take Remicade or any of these RA medications, they do take a long time to work! Take care all, Lynda
Thanks, I am Remicade "loading" now - I hope I can share a similar story soon!I have a question about insurance, if you don't mind me asking. I am
I may be asking something that doesn't apply in your case, but thought I'd ask anyway. Thanks for any advice you may have to offer.
So glad to hear you are doing well on the meds you are taking! I hope it continues to be effective for you.
Have a good night. Hugs,
Nini
Hi Nini, I believe it is the Medical B that is covering me. The medical A is for the hospital. Isn't this an awful cost. If I get well I believe I can get back on 'just methotrexate' and an occasional help from prednisone during flares it would only cost , as I feel guilty using up all of this medicare government money, while so many people are suffering. I hope this works for you also. Lynda
deb
Thank you so much, Lynda. I have a clear picture in my mind and I hope I can post this just like you. It is exciting to find something that works.
Thanks my friend!
Hi Lynda,
Sounds like you are enjoying some blessed relief from the Remicade. I've been on 300 mg of Remicade since July 2006 ...every 8 wks until the last infusion which he has now changed to every 7 wks. That last week was always the worst.
Today I have a sore throat, but no other symptoms to suggest a cold. Had the Remicade last Thursday...3 days ago. Not sure if this is related or not.
I did get my doctor to lower my MTX from 20 to 15 qwk. Hopefully you'll be able to taper yours too. He said that 20 was kind of a high dose. I've been on it for 2 years or so.
Best of luck to you!
thank you Ruthe for your encouragement. I'm so looking forward to reducing my medication, but not before I know I won't go back to the pain,swelling,etc. L (I have heard sore throaty feeling is one after affect, but I've been lucky not to have a bad reaction to any of the drugs he's given me. I just wanted them to work faster and so did my doc, he is such a sweet man, He wants me to get well)