How long? | Arthritis Information

How long have you stayed on one treatment with success? I've heard some people say that even if you find something that works at first your body may form an immunity to it after a while. Is this the case?
If so how long have you stayed on one before having to switch?
I really don't know much about the treatments at all, I have an appointment Tuesday to start something hopefully.
Thanks!
Many people have great help from medications.

I am one that so far nothing they try works for me except prednisone but they won't up that for me.

I have been on methotrexate, plaquinil and arava along with other drugs like meloxicam, celebrex, naproxen etc.

But, for me, nothing works yet. Keeping fingers crossed still.

I probably haven't had RA long enough to be of any use. I'll also bet you get a variety of answers to this question since everyone responds differently to medication.

The longest run of success I had was the first three years or so after my diagnosis. I was on Plaquenil and Relafen. I've also heard that drugs tend to be less effective the longer you are on them. But, I've also seen people who have had many years of success on some of the medications. I've also seen people who have been unable to find relief on anything.

I've been on Rituxan for 15 months. It is the first med that has worked for me. I have been able to stop using MTX and prednisone. My RD thinks I'm close to remission and I agree with him. All that from one set of infusions....

I know a lot of people who have used the Ra meds longterm and are doing quite well. My sister-in-law has taken MTX for over 15 years and has had very good success with it.

I was diagnosed 1 1/2 years ago and began taking MTX. I am now pain-free (most of the time). I am still on a low dose and consider myself extremely fortunate.OK I hope my answer doesn't jinx me.....I have been on enbrel for 9 months and have been prletty well. I have had ra for 3 years. I have tried plaqenil for 6 months and it didn't work. I took pred. once and refused and still refuse to take it. I took sulfasalzine and found out I was allergic and a couple others that I was allergic to. Took humira for 8 months. I worked somewhat but not enough. SO then I tried enbrel and have been doing well. **Knocking on Wood!**** I fired my ra dr of 3 years a week ago and am going to see a new one on the 15th of Sept. So I will know then how my blood work is. I take relafen twice a day and muscle relaxers twice or more a day and I know that helps me alot.

Good luck, it can be a long journey but the destination is awesome!

take care

What you're saying has been true for me. I've had RA for 14 years and in that time I've been on numerous treatments and found success with pretty much every one of them for a while. Started with Sulfersalizine. Did great for a while then had to increase the dose. Then had to switch to plaquinel since the sulfersalizine wasn't working good enough. The went on to plaquinel. Then increased the dose to get the same results. Then MTX. Did great for a while then had to increase the dose over the course of three years and eventually had to include Humira.

Over time I've had to use more and more and stronger and stronger to get the desired results. This is why I always recommend folk start with the lowest dose and weakest medications possible because over time you'll have to move up no matter what it is you're taking. At least that's been my experience. Migh not be true for all.....but it has been for me.

I have been on Remicade since Oct 2005. so far its working pretty well, but I can only go 5 weeks between infusions.

Before that I was on Enbrel for 4 months and Humira for 4 months.