Hi All,
My rheumy and I are trying to decide if I should go on Kinaret or MTX and I was wondering if anybody wanted to share some war stories (particularly with Kinaret).
I'm on Enbrel and 20mg prednisone (tapering down from an absurdly euphoric 120mg) and my wrists are getting pretty bad again. (I have Still's which apparently loves to hang out in the wrists). I'm pretty nervous about Kinaret and injection site reactions but MTX doesn't sound like a picnic either (hair loss, nausea and..... no beer!!!!)
I also think I might try acupuncture if I can. So any stories there would be welcomed also.
Thanks,
-Jake
Dear Jake, that is quite a line-up of meds. If I took one darvocet I would be asleep immediately! I don't know any of the other drugs but please read my posts on MTX, it has really been great for me.....(in the past and am struggling with patients right now to let it get into my system along with Remicade.) My gosh I can't imagine what you felt like taking 120 mgs of prednisone! I would have been flying high. I know people who take Enbril & mtx and say, 'it works wonders', one friend just got back from a trip to China, so I know she felt great on the two meds. Good luck sorting this out, it is a bear.
take care, sarah
Wow that was quite a dose of pred. Did you ever sleep? Stop eating? LOL.
Has the Enbrel quit being effective for you and that is why you and your RD are thinking of switching? If it were me, I would try adding the mtx with Enbrel first. Sometimes it takes a biologic (the enbrel) and a dmard (the mtx) together to put the RA beast in check.
Yep, mtx can be no pinic that's for sure. However, you can avoid some of the nasty tummy side effects if you ask your doc for the injectable mtx. The medication is absorbed faster and better into the body anyways. I am only wiped out the next day after my mtx shot versus wiped out, nauseous, vomiting, stomach cramps, heartburn, etc. from the pills. It is an easy shot and doesn't burn. There are a number of people that are on mtx that do drink alcohol in moderation. You can also get a herbal supplement that works well to help with liver function. Just make sure that if you decide to go with the mtx that your doc also puts you on folic acid to avoid mouth sores and hair loss.
Let us know what you decide!
I can only describe 120mg of Prednisone as an awesomely positive mystical experience that unfortunately cannot last if you want to stay alive. I definitely had insomnia (that's what clonazepam is for) and ate truckloads of food and was crazy overproductive and happy. Now I'm back to my normal painful self. I only take Darvocet occasionally when it hurts a lot (I'm allergic to vicodin/codeine) and usually before bed.Seems like life with RA is nothing but one decision after the other sometimes. I loved your description of your experience on that high dose of pred lol. It made me think of Jim Morrison from the Doors for some reason lol.
There are several here that can give you great info on the AP therapy. There is also www.roadback.org for info on AP therapy and where to find a doc in your area that does it.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do and keep us informed!
My rheumatologist says you can have a beer on mtx, just don't have beers.