hey guys i am at the end of the line (enbrel) and i am still experiencing pretty bad damage
my meds are listed in my signature..
any suggestions? Im scared of kineret and humira because they havent been out as long as enbrel.. are they any different? Has anyone switched with greater success?
HAPPY NEW YEAR
dood, people on here LOOOOOVVEEEEE their humira. Try it, you might like it.
I have heard that Remicade infusions help severe cases. I start trying Enbrel next month and sure hope it helps!
I take Humira and do love it....but I take it weekly and also have been up as high as 25mg on my MTX. Before you switch you might want to try increasing your MTX....it helped me. Maybe it could you too.
Good Luck.
I have been on Enbrel, Humira, and Remicade. Remicade has by far beenI have seen more people do better with Remicade than the other biologics.
If you have iron deficiency anemia, methotrexate can make you worse as it stops production in the bones of the new blood etc. in some people (like me).
I take and love Arava that replaced my methotrexate.
I also take celebrex and refuse to stop it as it takes care of a huge portion of my flairs.
I took humira for 2 yrs and did great! It has gotten to where it doesnt work as well now, and Doc is starting me on Remicade. I felt more "normal" on the humira than any other meds I have taken. I would stay on it if I could, but insurance wont pay if I double the dose. So I have to change. I would really give it a try if I were you. Its only 1 shot every 2 wks. Cant hurt to try!marksberryfarms, if your insurance will not pay for it, humira will! Contact the company that makes it, and they will pay for it if you qualify. Most people do. :) That way, since it works for you, you don't have to risk starting on something new! Your Mthx can be upped. I have been on Mthx and Humira for about 1 1/2 years now. I am happy with it. Other than the injection, I am not aware of any side effects other than being able to have a more normal life. I had great success with Remicade but it just all of a sudden quit working - enbrel and humira did nothing for me at all. Talk to your doc about this he may be able to adjust some of your other meds to help keep you on the enbrel. It is scary when something works and then doesn't but don't get discouraged - it may take some time to find your new cocktale, but it's there somewhere. Hugs and good vibes.I love humira. I take that along with 15mg of injectable mtx. I have also heard that Remicade does work better for more severe cases. Your insurance may make you try the kineret and humira before paying for the remicade. I guess you have to "fail" these drugs before moving on to more powerful stuff. Kineret is a once daily under the skin (subcutaneous) injection. Humira is usually done once every two weeks (subcutaneously) unless your RD feels you need to be slowed down faster then it is done once a week. The side effects for both are basically the same. Swelling, redness, bruising, itchy around the injection site...upper respiratory infections...kineret lowers your white blood cell count where humira does not.
Good luck to you and I dearly hope you find the right med for you. You are such a doll that I hate seeing you in pain. Well, I hate seeing anyone in pain. Research out your options. There is tons of info out there on the net about all the arthritis drugs.
marksberryfarms...call 1-800-4HUMIRA they will send you out the paperwork to get on their drug assistance program. There are a couple options out there. Most drug companies will do this you just have to call and askEnbrel didn't work for me, but Remcade is working after 3 infusions. I still have some bad days, and I don't love getting the infusions, but I love feeling better!