I have been sick with so much stuff the past couple of months (phenomia, whooping cough, bronchitis ect.). Of cource this is because of the remicade, but it works for my joints pretty well, as long as it is every 4 weeks. Before the remicade, when I was on embrel, i dont think I was sick every week like I am on this one. MY mom is starting to think that I need to try somthing else, but I think, as long as it is keeping it from doing anymore damage, then I should stay on it. Being sick like this is wearing me out though! All I want to do is lay down and sleep, and at the same time I want to exercise, it is so confusing! I dont want to go off the remicade, but I also dont want to always be fighting off anything I come 5 feet within. ARRHH, and my friends, I know they want to care, but I dont think they get why I am out of school half the time! I wish they could understand! DOES EVERYTHING ABOUT ARTHRITIS HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED?? Sometimes I just feel like giving up! I used to be so good at keeping my feelings inside me, and i'm not anymore! The complaning just spills right out, like now, and it is so hard to controll! I wish I could just hide my feelings again, life always seemed so much simpler, and I didnt feel like I was agravating people. You can just tell when people are tired of you talking about your problems and complaning, and then I feel really guilty for ever bringing the subject up! If you read this all, you are truly an amazing person for listening to me go on and on, but then again there are not many people with RA who are not amazing!
I am sorry makemelaff
What all biologicals have you tried? It might be time to change. You do not deserve to be sick like that, just to keep your JRA in check. Besides, what happens if you get really sick and not able to get rid of an infection? I know it is like catch 22... give up a med that is working for you, and not getting sick as much and JRA not being in check, or staying on the med and falling deathly ill.
I would go with trying another biological. All biologicals are different in some way. You might have a better result than the other 2 you tried.
Good Luck feel better soon!
My doctor wanted to put me on humeria, but I wouldnt, with all of the things I heard, about it being the cause of some deaths, I was to scared. TNF inhibitors and biologicals are the same thing right? In that case I have only been on embrel and remicade.Yes, they are the same thing... I think
Anyways... I am on Humira and have JRA. It was the first biological I have tried and it seems to work well for me. I have little to no swelling and it helps greatly with pain, like that pain I get in my spine and neck, when on Humira it is almost non-existant. I responded to my first shot of Humira with in a few hours. It does give me more energy and makes me feel better too.
You might want to give Humira a whirl. I like it and works well for me.
I heard the shot really hurts though! Alright so maybe I am being a bit of a baby, but wont I still get really sick on that too?Probably not... because all of the biologicals are made differently. Like Enbrel is made with human protiens and Humira is made from an animal protien.
It does not burn that bad... I know... as I have a very bad fear of needles... and well the burn is not that bad, if you let it set out and get room temprature. I usually let mine sit out for about 20-30 mins and then when hubby injects it, he does it very slowly and stops when I tell him I feel the burn coming on.
It is not as bad as it is made out to be... I promise. I actually quit going to RD's when they would mention injections. As soon as the RD would say our next option was injections, I would not go back for my next appointment. I went 3 years without real treatment after the RD, before the RD I have now, mentioned injections. I finally gave in as I was getting worse and had a baby to tend to, so I did not do it for myself, but for my kids.
I don't have better advice than Joonie on the meds. I do know that getting the infections under control is really essential. You said how you feel, how your mom feels. What is your doctor saying?
Hard decision and hard being so sick at your age. You miss out on so many things and friends don't often understand. (They're not necessarily better when they get older either.) But I am sure you are going to get on top of this.
Makemelaff22, Did Enbrel not work for you? I am just curious because that is where I am headed if i can swing the cost.
Sorry to hear that you have been so sick.
Just wanted to tell you i was thinkin about you. I know its hard i really do. though i havent had JRA i still sympathize with you. The humira doesnt sting that much at all. If you do it slow it doesnt burn as bad. You may want to try it. Hope you are feeling better hun. See ya i just over 2 weeks!!!! Awww hun!! :( You need a new med. I know you don't want to, but UGGGHH You don't need to be sick like that. Know why? Think about it real hard.Makemelaff, you nailed it! Why does everything about arthritis have to be so complicated?!
You've done this before, though, and you can keep doing it. Go for something better to make you better. We all understand how much easier it is to say that than do it though.