Hi Group, I posted this same dialogue in the RA section... but thought I'd put it in here too???
I just found your site and have been reading all the supportive and informative advice from all of you.
I was diagnosed with RA in Nov. 03 - was put on Plaquenil, then
MTX was added and am now on 25mg of MTX... with 400mg of Plaq...
and 5mg of folic acid and my
NSAID is voltaren. The RA started out in my feet and xrays show
damage to a couple of joints in my feet - which have been
progressing. I also feel stiff in my
hands and currently my wrists have felt pain... here's the deal:
I've only been on the full dose of MTX for 6mths and I suppose the
voltarin is masking the pain because i feel fine and am not all that
limited. I understand the goal of ensuring quality of life and
stopping the disease from progressing... My Dr. wants to start me
on Enbrel. I've read a lot of the responses regarding enbrel and
must say I'm even a little more skeptical now.. but I think he's
pushing the biologics too early???
What 'shape' were any of you
in before starting Enbrel/biologics? They sound like 'wonder drugs' for
people who struggle to move... lately I've struggled at the gym with my
right wrist being a little sore, but when I rest my wrist, it's fine...
anyone?
Part of me wants to continue on the MTX for 6 more months and have him
try sulfasalezine or something with it...but I'm likely holding off the
enivitable... I know that the decision to take the drugs is personal...
I'm just looking for some input because part of me thinks my Doc is
jumping the gun early... or maybe that's what I want to believe...
thanks for your time in reading this mumble jumble
hey i was on MTX and Sulphasalezine before i satrted biologics. Neither of them worked and i was alergic to the 1st biologic i'm due to start enbrel in a few weeks but i would give it a go because sulphasalazine just made me really tried all the time and upset my stomach and i had the worst flare i have ever had while i was on it.
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