Pred and mtx vs Humira | Arthritis Information

I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I am now at 1 cc mtx injectable once a week plus 5 mg prednasone per day. I have been unable to get below the 5mg pred. level despite repeated attempts.

These days I generally feel good and carry on much as before. However I have been having a small flare in one or the other of my hands. ( About once a month). I have learned to control these with a 15 mg pred dose day followed by a 10 mg day then back to the "normal" 5 mg pred per day.

I have discussed with my Doc the possibility (and risks) of moving on to Humira. He wants the decision to come from me.

I have learned a lot from the very kind and knowledgeable people here and would appreciate others thoughts and experiences.

Thanks
Actually Ketch, it's simple....you still have active disease and therfore damage is progressing. If MXT hasn't slowed the disease then Humira or Enbrel would be a consideration to add to MXT. You might find that adding a biologic would steer you towards remission. Remission is what you want to achieve and it doesn't sound like MXT is cutting it. I'm on Humira and I'm in clinical remission for the first time in 10 years. Lindy Ketch: I have been on Humira for over 2 years. I have not had any problems with it and it has improved my life. Everything has its risks. If you haven't had your drugs working for you, you might need new ones. There is arava on the market (one i am playing with) that is much like methotrexate and maybe something you want to try before going to a biologic.

My doctors prefer i try any and all things not biologic first because none of them trust them. My rhummy was trying to get me on Hem because arava was thought to cause breathing problems (it was a dairy allergy instead) so, i can't take biologics due to an infection that won't go away, so arava is being tried again.

But, like i said, my doctors don't like the side effects, the easy way of getting an infection etc. from biologics. Some people do well, some don't.

it's a decision each of us has to face. Some drugs work for some, others won't work for another.

i wish you well and hope you find the right treatment.

My RA isn't controlled now either, I'm on 25 mg. MTX, 10 mg. Prednisone and now we've added Humira.

I don't know about you, but I'll try anything so that I'm able to be more like my old self.

There are so many people on biologics that don't have side effects. Everything has side effects. My goal is to get off of Prednisone because that definitely does damage to your bones and the side effects (puffy, hungry, etc.) are driving me nuts.

I hope you find what works for YOU.

Prior to adding Humira, I was also unable to wean from Prednisone. Every time I tried to go below 7mg, I flared horribly. I've been on Humira for a year, and am now down to 3mg of Prednisone with no flaring!!! I'm reducing my dose by 1/2mg a month, and hope to be off the evil stuff by September. I suspect that prior to using Humira, my Adrenal glands simply couldn't handle all the inflammation without help ... now they can. I'm going slow because I've been on Prednisone for over two years. I could probably go faster, but I figure why take a chance on flaring. I'm thrilled to simply be down to 3mg. I am on Humira and mtx and have been on them for about 5 years or so. The humira has done well on getting me back under control. Prior to Humira, I was on Enbrel which worked quickly and was fantastic. I was taken off Enbrel to have my last baby then after he was born, it no longer worked on me so we switched. I have had only site reactions, and a few at that, for side effects. If you are still feeling crappy, I'd switch. Well worth it!
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