Hi All,
I was having additional joint pain/stiffness and limited ROM in my rt wrist. My RD upped my MTX from 15 q wk to 20. He said a few months ago that we could "start to think about biologics"....Frankly, I don't think my RA (it is seronegative) is bad enough to go that route. And yet I am taking some serious meds (MTX) which makes me wonder if Enbrel or Remicade would be a safe alternative or adjunct to the MTX I am currently taking. I am able to work full-time (altho when the joint pain kicks in, I am greatly fatigued as well as in pain), but know that in 3 years or less, I will retire "early." I don't like needles and the thought of self-injection makes me cringe. When do you know it's time to "move on"...?
Molly, I didn't take the biologics until nothing else worked. About five months after diagnosis. My ra is aggressive. All I can say is I love Enbrel so much, I would RATHER take it than mtx. It also feels safer. The self injection scares most people but you know what - IT IS SOOOOOOOOO EASY. Good luck on your decision. I've had RA since 1992 and just this past August was put on Humira. Probably more my fault it took so long as I just started seeing an RD again a year ago. He said that we were at a stand still with pred and MTX and I needed to try something new. I've also got severe aggressive RA. Humira has made a big difference in my life since August. Good luck.Molly Bee I am glad to see you posting again and I see you joined RA Friends a couple of weeks ago.
I fought for a few years about going on MTX. I went as far as stop going to RD's. I went a whole year just taking Celebrex and pred... Then after having son... I was worst. I went to my GP and told him what the last Rd said I was on my way to, which was MTX and he RXed MTX for me. But sadly MTX only worked for 2-3 months and then made me worst off then I was before taking it.
I put off taking MTX, because I knew that once that option for me was gone I would be on biologicals and I HATE needles. They freak me out. So, now that MTX was the last resort before biologicals, I am more then likely going to be on them before the end of this month. As I am going back to my old RD the 19th.
You will know when you are ready to move on. You will get tired of struggling to do things and you will think there has to be something that will help me do this better. For some it does not take long and for others like me that are afraid of needles you prolong that for as long as your body and mind will allow you.
Molly; I think it all depends on the person. I didn't start biologics until about 9 years into it. I started out with weaker DMARDS and pretty much just worked my way out of those. As my disease progressed it has taken stronger medications to control it....and I also feel like the medications lose their effect after prolonged use. (Personal opinion from my own experience....I don't claim to be a doctor)
I take Humira. It's been really good for me; but I don't like the shots. Needles don't bother me that much....but I do weekly injections. I assumed it would be something I would just "Get use to" but honestly I really haven't. My husband does them for me....and as much as I look forward to my weekly boost; I dread the shots every week. If I had it to do over again I'd choose Remicade. That's given by infusion every eight weeks or so. To me; it would be better to go once every eight weeks; spend a couple hours and then forget about it until eight weeks later. My doctor gave me the information on all the biologics and then asked me to choose the one I wanted to try. I choose Humira because originally I started with every other week shots. That's only twice a month compaired to twice a week with the Enbrel he was offering me. After 6 months on the medication I had to switch to weekly injections.
If you aren't sure you want to go with the biologics yet but MTX isn't quite enough you might ask your doctor to consider another DMARD in addition to MTX. Something like Sulfersalizine or Plaquinel. Many people with mild RA have great sucess with that sort of combination.
Good Luck to you whatever you decide.
Hey Lovie and Joonie (and Murphette!!), it is sooo good to be back here. Not sure how often I can post, but I can always count on you guys for so much. Lovie, I am like you when it comes to needles. I really hate them...but I'd be willing to do the Remicade if it is offered. The time would be the hard part, but again it would be easier than self injections. (My hubby would sooner faint than look at any needle!)
I have dealt with joint pain for several years and I've had some rough times and some really manageable and even painfree times. I already take Plaquenil with the MTX and truly I love Plaq. When a previous RD took me off it (for Arava) my RA flared like crazy. Had to go to physical therapy and use pred so that I could raise both arms above my head. My shoulders were badly affected by the flare.
MTX and Plaq have combined to give me a pretty good quality of life. You are right in that I should recognize when I have more bad days than good ones. And then act accordingly. Right now I am able to hold my 10 mo old grandson...a few short years ago I could not hold a niece without incredible joint pain. So if I reflect on this, I know I've come a long way. And it's good to recall all this now as I sometimes feel sorry for myself. It could be worse...it has been worse...and these times are not that awful. I had thought of giving myself a "med vacation" but think that is probably a bad idea.
I'll stay open to the idea of biologics, knowing that for me right now I can walk and do MOST of what I need to do. (Cannot open jars or containers...and have days when washing hair or steering the car is difficult)...
Glad for the good days...and glad to have found my way here again. Feels just like home!
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