Hi,
I have reactive arthirits, and am HLA-B27 +
My first episode was in 2000, and my latest was about 3-4 monts ago (2006) - still getting back to normal. My initial episode was treated very NON aggressively with low levels of cortesoids. Once eventually diagnosed, the treatment worked fine. My latest episode was treated with 50mg of prednisolone and 200mg celebrex, with the prednisolone decreasing over time. Now my Rhumo has put me on methotrexate. I am now on 10mg Mehtotrextae (once a week) + folic acid every other day to reduce side effects, 25mg of prednisolone (reducing over the next few months, apporx 4 months), and 200mg celebrex / day.
I had ESR of 80+, high liver levels , basically everything they measured was pretty high. They are all back to normal now and I am in no joint pain.
As I am HLA B27 +, my Rhumo has concerns about my eyes (uveitis). I am going to see a Opthomologist next month.
The Rhumo's argument for the use of methotrexate (and she says I will be on this for a minimum of 2 years, and maybe life), is that taking this drug may stop the re-occurance of the RA episodes, and therefore mitigate or reduce chances of permananet join or organ damage in the future. I get the feeling that it may help in reducing the risk of developing any eye problems such as uveitis.
I dont like this drug, the reading I have done says no alcohol, or two standard drinks a month as it is processed by the liver. I sound like a whinger, but I dont want to stop drinking all together. And I also dont want to be on medication for long periods of time if it is not necessary. My last Rhumo did not even test for HLAB27, and mentioned nothing of these problems or methotrexate.
Are any of my assumptions of keeping away re-occurances of reactive arthritis or minimising chances of uveitis correct if I continue to take the methotrexate?
Anyone's experieince or comments would be appreciated.
I have reactive arthritis and am on antibiotic therapy. I too can't have alcohol and that drives me crazy! I like my glass of wine in the evening. Helps relax me and truly helps with my pain. I totally understand what you are talking about!Yea, but hey, would you rather be dammaged for life, or not able to drink alot?
I have also been living with Reiter's Syndrome for 27 years and I have been on all the drugs mentioned here plus I have endured numerous cortizone injections and more. I would like to let you know that I have had Iritis, psoriasis, conjuctivitis, fatigue, severe joint pain and swelling in my neck, thoracic and lumbar spine, knees, hands, feet, ankles and at times it is totaly debilitating.
My purpose of this post is to inform you that Enbrel has turned my life around. I can play golf I can have a full night's rest and I can now do things with my family that I was limited in the past. Have your rheumatologist at least try this medicine for you - it may do the trick. I feel the side effects are no more as risky as methotrexate prednizone and other steroids. Quality of life was my issue - and I can enjoy a drink or two or three on Enbrel - Check this medicine out - it is however, very expensive, but hopefully you have a health plan. In Canada it is covered by our national and provincial health care plans.
Hi-[QUOTE=LynnAnn]I have reactive arthritis and am on antibiotic therapy. I too can't have alcohol and that drives me crazy! I like my glass of wine in the evening. Helps relax me and truly helps with my pain. I totally understand what you are talking about![/QUOTE]
hi do u have improvements using antibiotics?
i have also ReA and dr give me doxy but... im still skeptic cos my reA started 1 year after infection so now i have 2 years do u think is worth to try?
We stopped drinking wine in our family 20 years ago, it seems funny to even consider it now. We don't miss it as we feel good getting out first thing in the morning to the beach, golf or tennis! I got sick and tired of being sick and tired! I was not a one glass girl! I've been on MTX for 10 years and honestly it is the best for being able to regulate how much you take or don't take. I adjust to the circumstances going from 7 pills for the first dose after a nasty flareup to 4 and even down to 2 pills. After an operation I have to take Remicade, MTX and am on Prednisone right now, but I would love to just 'get back' to MTX and get back to my good 'old' life. I've been struggling since Dec.! Good luck with all this and be glad we have great drugs to work for us. People who suffered before us were in terrible shape (my grandmother was in a painful fetal position when she died, poor thing).I was diagnosed with reactive arthritis 2 months ago after a bowel infection (food poisoning during chrstmas holiday in
Inflammation first started in my heel then big toes, both knees, slightly in fingers and now top of neck, giving me awful head pain and numb arm wen wake up.
Iv'e had 3 steriod injections which give you false hope as the pain goes only to coe back in about 3 days.
I take 3 diclofenac a day
1 tablet to minimise bleeding due to diclofenac
4 Sulfasalazine (started 1 a day increased to 4 over a month) only been on sulf a 5 weeks, no side effects but no ease of pain yet.
I take upto 8 tramadol a day for pain, these stop the pain but are very strong they make me really dizzy and I find it hard to sleep.
Is there anyone out here whos symptoms of ReA have gone, need lots of hope.
I have been sick from work for almost 3 months, I'm a 32 year old teacher and find it impossible to teach at moment with pain or feeling I get from painkillers. I was a fitness fanatic too, went to the gym 5 times a week loved it, I haven't been able to go for 3 months, really frustrating, I really want to hear from someone with hope please.