Hi, new patient with PA here and have just stared MTX today. Wondering would Enbrel be safer? Any advice?
my rheumatologist started me on methotrexate but within 6 mths it began affecting my liver so i was then put on arava. this has been fantastic although i am still in pain i dont have any of the horrible side effects i had with the mtx. i dont know if arava is used in ireland but my doc hasnt mentioned embrel. i think they mainly use that in the usAllycat,
Thanks for that. Did you notice your hair thinning. Do you have any side effects on the Arava?
i noticed a slight thinning of my hair. but the worst was the other side effects. i would take it on a sat night and then not be able to get out of bed all day sunday. even to go to the toilet my husband had to help. then all day monday i would have severe headaches and felt hungover . tues , wed , thurs would be ok then friday i would be getting sore again . and annoyed knowing the next day it would start all over again. i was actually releived when the doc said i had to go off it. the arava has been fantastic with no side effects at all. but i have heard of others on methotrexate saying how wonderful it is. so you never know it might work well for you.Time will tell
Chris,
I am on MTX and Humira (similar to Enbrel). Every drug has pro's and con's so you will need to research and make a decision for yourself. Personally speaking I would give the MTX a chance to work. I know of alot of people who are doing fine just on MTX. My PA was not controlled enough with just the MTX and my rheumy added a biologic. I am doing great with the combo but would have preferred just the one med.
Good luck.
Thanks windyone. Something I noticed since the PA started ( pain started in february for the 1st time) is that my fingers nails are more effected from nailbed seperation then normal. Has anyone found this. Could it be a sign that a flare was going to start?Hi Chris,
I started on MTX but couldn't tolerate high doses so I am now on infliximab plus MTX (only 7.5mg a week) which works well. I know that most biologics they like you to take MTX aswell if you can - it stops your body from reacting to the biologic and fighting it. I would give the MTX a go - you need to allow a good few weeks for any side effects to settle down and then 12 weeks plus to see a positive effect. Not everyone gets bad side effects with MTX, for some it works well. I know it's scary but the only way you'll know if the MTX will work is if you try it.
Good luck!
KT
Chris,
Yes, my nails are affected too but are much better on my current meds! Could be that the nails are a progression of your PA prior to getting treatment. MTX may help it some. Be sure to keep in contact with your rheumatologist especially if you are still having problems in-between your visits.
hi chris, i am sorry if put you you off taking methotrexate. just because it didnt work for me doesnt mean it wont for you. now the arava is starting not to work so thinking of starting on embrel. had a bad week with pain. so feeling a bit sorry for myself. if there is any one who can give me info on embrel it would be great. a bit nervous about injecting myself but i also dont want to take stronger pain meds.I started with 20mg MTX oral and it helped with swelling but didn't really help the pain and I was flaring once a week for about 24 to 36 hrs. This past Feb I added Enbrel and changed the oral MTX to injectable in April.
Though I still can suffer a lot of pain these meds have given me a bit of a life. I was bedridden and needed a cane, a walker or a transport chair and I no longer use them except very rarely. I have only had 1 bad flare since starting Enbrel and that was because I had to skip a week due to a cold. After the first time I now have no problem injecting myself and I do both on the same day.
The day after is a pajama day due to fatigue but like I said I have had a lot of mobility improvement.
Take care.
No allycat, you haven't put me off the MTX. Will continue with it for sure. It just seems reading the various mails that Enbrel appears to have better results and less side effects. It is something I will hold in reverse if the MTX does not go well. I have PA and I know that most on this forum have RA which can be a much hard nut to crack. I am very hopefully that my treatment will go well. Positive thinking or newbies dream? time will tell.