I read where you are only supposed to take DMARD's(enbrel, metha,etc for no longer to 6 months to a year. I also read they induce remission. Can anyone attest to this?
I've been taking a DMARD for about 13 years and for me I've experienced long bouts of "remission" provided I stay on my meds. Their certainly long term medications though.....6 months to a year is just long enough to find the right combination and know it's working.
Biologics such as Enbrel & Humira are also designed for long term use. Not sure what you've seen. Can you post your research?
I haven't been around much this week but Welcome Newbb! Hope to see more of you here.
thanks. i honestly don't recall the site. It was just one of the many i read over a few days ago. I read it wasn't supposed to be taken long due to side effects. Wow 13 yrs? So would you say you have more good days than bad day? How long did it take to work?
thanks
I've been on methotrexate for 6 and 1/2 years....it has been a wonderful med for RA. Biologic was added a year ago when I got to the point where the pain was not being handled by MTX alone. Not able to take Arava which was great for the RA, lousy for the GI tract.
MTX took about a month or 6 weeks to work. It certainly wasn't a quick fix. Remicade takes (for me) 1 or 2 days to notice the difference. It, too, has been beneficial in handling the symptoms.
glad you are here!!
at this time there is no time limit set for the use of DMARDS. The goal for any of these meds is to take the lowest dose possible and to acheive remission...which of course is often easier said than done.
I was on MTX for qbout 18 years with no problems. I know people who have been on the biologics since they were approved and are still doing well
Thanks for the info. Do you guys still experience pain while on it?Oh yes!!! But the inflammation is down which is when damage occurs.