Well, I have been on my new rx combo (Arava, MTX, Plaquenil and pred) for just about a month. I cannot believe how great I feel
I was worried that it was false because we also switched from hot and humid to the cool fall weather but, the last week has been in the high 80's and humid and still I feel great!!! My dh keeps reminding me that I need to not get discouraged if I get a flare and to remember how great I feel today... I guess now I want to get rid of the prednisone (the true test of whether I am improving). My one fear is how long I can stay on the toxic combo I am on before my liver is affected? or will my body become resistant to the med? But for right now I feel blessed!!
Thanks for letting me ramble!!
Connie
Connie, I am so very happy for you. Take good care of yourself. You have found the magic combo for now, and enjoy that.
I am envious, but happy for you!!!!! Stick around and keep us informed on how you are doing. I need to hear the good stuff.
Yay for you. I sure hope it continues for you.Great news, Connie! < =text/>_popupControl(); That is super news Connie!! Congrats to you!!! I always love hearing about people doing well!!AS far as how long you can stay on your combo of meds...there really is no answer for that. It is up to your own body and how well you process everything. I can tell you that there are people here that have been on the DMARDS and biologics for many years without them having any effect on the liver etc. I am not sure if it is that your body actually beccomes immune to the meds you are on...but more of your RA status changes and then the meds stop working. Like wih me, I was on humira for a little over a year when my RA just up and decided to be a brat and the humira was no longer effective. Fortunately there are many of these biologics now that we can chose from. They all basically do the same job...they are just made up of different types of formulas to get the job done. That is nice because that does allow us to switch and find out what works best for us.
As far as weaning off the pred....call your doc and let your doc know how you feel and that you really don't think you need the pred anymore and need a taper schedule. When I asked my doc if I could get off the pred, he was more than happy to let me taper down. There were a couple of difficult days here and there, but nothing to make me stop my taper.
You might have flares every now and then. Especially with the weather struggling to change right now. The meds should help those flares not be major huge ones anymore tho.
Oh hunny...I am just so happy for you. Good luck with everything. I hope and pray you continue to do this well for a very long time.
Go Connie GoGreat news and like your DH said, don't get discouraged if you have an achy day. I feel great 5 out of 7 days and the other two I just try and rest because those days are painful. Take care. LindyExcellent news! So happy for you. ROCKIN'!