Quick question | Arthritis Information

How long doe your RD keep you on a medication when it isn't being effective?Are we talking about biologicals, which seem to take a longer time to work, or regular DMARD's or other meds?

On biologicals, I think my RD actually gets impatient, often wants to switch me after 3 months when some studies show they take 6 or even 9 months to become effective. I can generally talk him into 6 months, but then we switch.

On other types of meds, if I try it for a month or so with no results, then we look at alternatives.

if it is clear that the drug is not effective and we've tweaked doses or done everything else we could have to give it a chance we drop it

which med are you talking about?

My doctor normally gives meds about 12 weeks, depending on what he has prescribedDotty,

I think this is a very tough question to answer because everyone's RD is different.

In my case, my RD usually waits six months before deciding that a med isn't working....It worked out well for me with Rituxan because it took that long for it to be effective.

I should have been more specific. I'm talking about Enbrel. I've been on it for two and a half months. I will need to reorder soon. I'm hoping they will send me a one month supply as opposed to 3 months. My RD says 4 months but if I can only get a 3 month supply, then I will stay on it 4 6 months. I don't really want to keep taking it for an extended period if it's not going to work and I certainly don't want want to waste it.

Thanks for your replies. Hope this clarification helps.

Dotty,

I do not take Enbrel, but I do take Betaseron ( interferon) , like you, I remember trying to figure out if it was working...well many many years later I am still taking it and I must say I have only had 2 exasperation since I have started the medicine. So I use that as my compass...I have ms related symptoms but I do not have the number of flares I once suffered before the Betaseron.

My point is that there is no cure for MS as for RA., only treatments, we have to ask ourself is this medicine helping?, reducing the symproms, reducing the flare....I hope your treatment works for you.

Do not worry about trying the med for 4 months, you never know when you might just turn the corner and it "kick" in.

I wish the very best dotty.

Take care,

Lisa