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Have a question about the AF Community? Get answers from our community members or our community administrator.
Ra and med's
Posted by:
Terri Hardin on
October 27, 2008 at
8:18AM EST
My name is Terri. I was officially diagnosed with RA about 2 years ago but I had it for many years before that. Couldn't go to a Rheum. doctor till I got insurance. He has me on 7 Mtx. a week and 5 mg. Pred. a day. he tried to take me off the Pred. back in Sept. and that lasted 3 weeks. On my last visit in Sept. he told me the Mtx. was not maintaining the disease and wanted me to go on one of the biologics. He told me to research them and in Nov. to tell him what I have decided. I will probably go on Enbrel as that is the one that I found that will help me with the cost. Even thought I have ins. my deductible is so high on name brand med's I couldn't afford to do it otherwise. My question is once I start on Enbrel and it starts to work will it help with the pain? I take a Darv. at night and Tylenol during the day. I would like to take the Darv. during the day but it makes me dizzy and I can't do that at work. Also will I have to stay on the Mtx. while I am Enbrel? Does the Enbrel help with the fatigue? Any help with this would be greatly appreciated! Terri
(4) Comments
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Posted by: Kimberly on October 27, 2008 9:08AM EST
The combination of the MTX and the Enbrel will make you feel so much better. I was one the two of them for 5 years and they worked wonders. I did have to eventually switch to Humira, because I guess, sometimes we become immune to one thing over time.
You will stay on the MTX and should be able to come off the Pred.
Check out www.helppayra.com and see if there is anything that can help you with the cost.
Good luck, welcome to the community and keep us updated.
RA Mom (Kim)
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Terri, I am so sorry you are suffering so much. I have RA plus OA and have had for 4 or 5 years. I wasted a whole year on Humira while my joints continued to deteriorate. I've had a spinal fusion (lower lumbar), my left thumb joint removed, and now my right foot is so crippled they are needing to fuse all my toes. Also I need my right thumb joint removed as well. You know the worse thing? Its the FATIGUE! I hate that. But, For two years I've been on Remicade and Methotrexate ....and they've just now got the dosage right so I am feeling so much better. I go every 6 weeks for a 4 hour infusion of the IV and I take 10 mg of Methotrexate each week. If I could deal with the fatigue I would be happy. Also, I have to wear a narcotic pain patch that I change every 72 hours or I couldn't live with it I don't think.
So, If you can just keep from letting your RA damage your joints like I did, then you won't have to suffer all the surgery llike I did. That is soooo important...If there is one thing I could preach to any RA patient, no matter what you have to do, reach out to any agency for help with the cost for your biologics. and they are out there. I asked my doctor's insurance gal for help and she pointed me in the right direction. But don't wait. Don't let the damage occur, because once it happens, it can't be undone. Good luck dear.
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Hello, I started taking Enbrel this year (Feb) in combination with MTX and I definitely have improved. For me Enbrel really helped with fatigue, I used to have to take a nap in the afternoon with my sons but now I don't feel I need to anymore. I've also been able to reduce my other meds. (MTX & prednisone) as well as Tylenol that I used to take on a daily basis. Hope that helps :)
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Posted by: Dawn~Maria on October 30, 2008 11:50PM EST
Hi there,
You will see a major improvement once you start the combo. I have been taking Enbrel for over 8 years..and so far...it's been a lifesaver for me. I couldn't handle the MTX, so my Dr. switched me to CellCept and Hydroxycloroquine. My "cocktail" works for me...but everyone is different
Originally, I was on a large dose of Prednisone..now, I just take during extremely painful periods of flare-ups (pre-set amount, pre-determined by Dr.). In addition, I also take Celebrex daily.
You will probably notice an immediate relief within just a few days of starting your injections of Enbrel. I know if i miss a dose due to insurance hang-ups or shipping...or if I have to skip a week or two due to infections...I can tell a big change in my body and the pain levels escalate rapidly and my movement range becomes very limited ..very quickly.
The fatigue will become less...but will still be there. It should decrease, as once you start your Enbrel therapy...you will be able to rest better at night, thus reducing your fatigue during the day.
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