Thanking God | Arthritis Information

 

I haven't posted very much in the last few months but I do try to log on here every few days or so when I can. I just wanted to share with you what happened to me recently with my meds.

Last September my doctor and I decided I'd go off Remicade because I wasn't sure if it was helping. I'd been on it for about 3 years. I'd started golfing again and had so much pain in my elbows and fingers that I didn't want to be on such a strong drug if it wasn't working. I was ok until the middle of December when the flare started in my shoulders and continued to involve most of my joints from my neck down to my knees. Every movement was agony. Prednisone never seemed to do much for me in the past but I knew I had to have it. My doctor was out of town until the middle of January and, stupidly, I decided to wait until she got back to get a refill.

I started it on Wednesday, January 18th and the next morning I woke up 90% better. I just stopped taking it yesterday and I feel the best I've felt in weeks and I'm so grateful for the medications that enable us to live our lives as normally as possible. Every time I lift my arms above my head and every step I take without pain I remember what those weeks were like.

I re-started Remicade on Monday after realizing how much it really was working. I hope I don't sound like I'm boasting. My heart is with all of you who are hurting. I don't know how long I'll be feeling like this but for now, I'm thrilled and in awe and so thankful that I have the opportunity to get the medical treatment that I do. I golfed today and my elbows and fingers still hurt but heck, now I know how bad it can be and I'm not gonna complain! 

Thanks to any who stuck with this long post!

GwenI stuck with it. I did something like that when i was taking enbrel. I thought that I was "cured". I quit the enbrlw and the mtx. Wasn't long before i was crawling on all fours when i had to go up the stairs. Pure agony. It took quite some time for the drugs to start again and the enbrel never was as effective again. Glad you are doing so well. I enjoyed your story. I've done the same thing, probably most of us have.  I was off for 6 months and up till the last few weeks I was miserable like you.  Orencia seems to be helping even though I've only had two infusions.  Good luck and keep posting.  LindyWishing all of you continued success and improvement.Thanks for posting your experiences.  Helps to remind us that we do need to be on our meds or we would probably be in much worse shape.Lev and Linb, thanks, I don't feel as foolish now knowing that you've done the same thing. Hopefully the Remicade will continue to work like before. One thing I didn't mention is that even after the prednisone I still had pain in my upper arms that lingered. One day after my treatment, it too was gone. My body has never responded like this before which is why I'm so excited.

Milly and Flamingo, I hope you have a good day and feel good soon. Thanks for writing back everyone.

GwenI think a lot of us have done this, myself included. Hi Miles, I have talked to my rheumy about reducing my Enbrel dosage and have always been fearful that it may stop working altogether. From some of your stories it sounds like it is a good possibility and it is something to be considered. That's why this board is so valuable to me.

Thanks!
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