Hi All -- opinions needed again!
I haven't posted in a while (had to re-register under a different name -- oops! Used to be Boofie) because things had stabilized, or so I thought. Off pred, doing ok w/ remicade every 4 weeks. Am also on plaquenil, feldene, folic acid, mtx injections, etc. The remicade usually lasts almost three weeks, then a flare starts. I saw the Dr yesterday for a routine visit and he felt I should also start getting gold injections on top of everything else. He said my hands are showing signs of muscle loss and some changes. I don't want to rock the boat by adding another med with potential side effects...but he said damage from not treating the disease is a side effect, too. Ouch! How many of you are on gold along with all of these others, and have you found it to be worth the risk? I know everyone is different, but hearing experiences helps. Thanks.
Gold is old school and on average it is used for 9 months before side effects or it stops helping. If I had a doc that suggested gold I would get a new Doc.