Failing Meds | Arthritis Information

What is your definition of failing meds?

I know a lot of people I talk on here seem to have a different definition of failing meds.

My definition of failing meds is -- the med just stopped working and were no longer providing the benefits they once were. OR the med never relieved symptoms it was suppose to relieve.

I would agree with that definition and add to it "or the med caused side effects that were not tolerable". And I might even adjust what you said to "the med never significantly relieved the symptoms it was supposed to relieve". Currently Orencia has relieved my symptoms by about 10%. That is not a significant enough improvement to continue taking such a powerful med on an on-going basis.I am sorry to hear that, innerglow. I remember you saying you were doing somewhat better when you first started Orencia. I was so hoping it was going to work for you. Because you of all people deserve to finally have a sucessful treatment.

So what is your next course of action treatment?

[QUOTE=InnerGlow]"or the med caused side effects that were not tolerable". [/QUOTE]

I do not really see that above as failing a med, because if the med was helping relieve symptoms, but side effects were not tolerable, I see it about the same as being allergic to a med. It did not fail you, you failed it.

But if the med was not helping to relieve symptoms and side effects are not tolerable, then the med did fail you.

I would think that failing meds would be I am on Orencia, plus relafen,plaquenil,was arava but now started mtx in August my sed rate was 83 I have had 3 Orencia treatments and several iv of medrol in august and several shots in areas plus epidural steroid shots in my back oly to still have a sed rate of 89 had 2 more iv's of medrol this week.. I feel like I am gong to explode. To me that shows something is not working. Laura

would you say ALL the RA meds you currently are on and have been infused with are failing you? Or could it be narrowed down to that only some of them are failing you and others are doing their job?

Like say the IVs of medrol improved your symptoms overall as compared to Orencia/plaqueniel/MTX combo.

I do not doubt that even with all the meds you have endured since august that they are still failing you. Just was curious as to if the IV medrol helped you any. As have had a couple of IV medrol treatments... one worked like a charm, probably as well as the Remicade, and the other did squat for me. To me I do not consider the medrol IV failed me, it was more of a disappointment.

Thank you for your reply, Laura! And I hope you do not explode and that you start feeling better soon because the MTX is helping you.
All I can say is that right now nothing is working for me. Don't know what med is not working. I am surving the exploding thing but just the overall feeling of coming apart at the seams is getting to me. My achillies tendon is back aching and swollen. It only gets better right after the iv for a couple days. Thinking I should get a 2nd opinion from an orthopedic Dr. or just chalk it up to Ra flare with a tear. I am so confussed about it all. I have been in remission almost the hole time I have been diagnosed so this is really new to me. Nothing has ever lasted this long. It has to stop soon right. Have a Blessed day. Laura
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