The Rd has been trying to get me back on track. I was doing so well last year on residule arava (had to stop it) and remicade. Now I take 10 mg of mtx plus remicade every eight weeks. I did better this cycle than last cycle. Last time the remicade lasted just 2 weeks. This time it lasted 5 good weeks and then It was tolerable til this week and my infusion is in 6 days. The only thing I have for pain is mobic. I wonder what would be good to add when i'm on that last stretch. I keep hoping that as the mtx gets built up in my system, I will last the whole 8 weeks. Maybe next time. What helps you with stabbing pain in joints that occurs even when you are perfectly still? Right now my wrists and thumbs are the worst. I take Aleve for the regular level of pain, Vicodin if I know the Aleve isn't going to be enough and Oxycodone if it's a really bad night. My RD said one of the good things about Remicade is the frequency can be adjusted, I get it every 7 weeks, have had it every 6 weeks and every 8 weeks, maybe discuss adjusting how often you have it, if it's wearing off before your next infusion date.
Thanks Deidre, I haven't discussed it with my rd. He is closed on Friday and I think it's going to be a long week end. I'm fretting about going to a company party tonight with my husband. Anyway I'm hoping this level of therapy will work. I'd like to give it one more round, but it is tough to be in pain during the holidays!
I take the equate (walmart) version of Naproxin (which I believe is what Aleve is). It works *SO* much better than the tylenol arthritis, because it is an NSAID. It works so well for me, that I have been able to avoid having to take prescription pain killers.