Comments on: How well do Biologic medications help Rheumatoid Arthritis? http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/ Bringing information & encouragement to fight RA Wed, 23 May 2012 12:58:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Cindy http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-176155 Cindy Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:36:24 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-176155 I took Plaqenil for about 6 months, I began to have bad muscle pain in my arms and was dropping things. So my RA doc took me off and with in two weeks the pain faded away. The depo medrol shots worked the best for 120 ml every 3/4 months. He said it was such an over all low dose it wouldn't hurt me. I just got messed up doing the shots so now I think if my new RA doc will give me a shot in my finger and wrist of cortisone that I could get back to where I was. Doing great... so hope that he will. I took Plaqenil for about 6 months, I began to have bad muscle pain in my arms and was dropping things. So my RA doc took me off and with in two weeks the pain faded away. The depo medrol shots worked the best for 120 ml every 3/4 months. He said it was such an over all low dose it wouldn’t hurt me. I just got messed up doing the shots so now I think if my new RA doc will give me a shot in my finger and wrist of cortisone that I could get back to where I was. Doing great… so hope that he will.

]]> By: Cindy http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-176152 Cindy Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:32:56 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-176152 I just feel like I already have all this going on in my body from the RA, I hate to add meds that have a ton of side affects that can add more problems. Right now I am doing the predinsone, cause its what I have on hand. I do the depo medrol shots every 3 months, it was working very well with just the shots, but then we had to go thru the rabies series and I was delaid a shot and now I am having a hard time getting my symptoms under control. My index finger is swollen and hurting. My wrist is wrist swollen, and hurting. I have to wait till April to meet my new RA doctor [we moved to another state] I can't take asprin or ibuprofen, I am allgeric. I am taking some prednisone I have on hand for emergencies, I hate it, they are 20mg, I break them in half. I have dry tongue and a nasty taste in my mouth from them. I take glucosamine/chondroitin/msm, D3, vita C botin and folic acid, tylenol when needed or tramadol. I am thinking about taking Syn-Flex 1500. Any advice.... I just feel like I already have all this going on in my body from the RA, I hate to add meds that have a ton of side affects that can add more problems. Right now I am doing the predinsone, cause its what I have on hand. I do the depo medrol shots every 3 months, it was working very well with just the shots, but then we had to go thru the rabies series and I was delaid a shot and now I am having a hard time getting my symptoms under control. My index finger is swollen and hurting. My wrist is wrist swollen, and hurting. I have to wait till April to meet my new RA doctor [we moved to another state] I can’t take asprin or ibuprofen, I am allgeric. I am taking some prednisone I have on hand for emergencies, I hate it, they are 20mg, I break them in half. I have dry tongue and a nasty taste in my mouth from them. I take glucosamine/chondroitin/msm, D3, vita C botin and folic acid, tylenol when needed or tramadol. I am thinking about taking Syn-Flex 1500. Any advice….

]]> By: Pat R http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-123781 Pat R Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:13:38 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-123781 I've been on Plaquenil for about a year now, taken twice a day. The first rheumatologist I saw wanted to start me out right away on methotrexate and Enbrel. I was concerned about the side affects of both of these drugs and wanted a more conservative approach. Her argument to me was: "we need to hit it and hit it hard." Okay that might be her theory but mine was the disease can make you sick but the cure will kill you. I sought out a second opinion with another rheumatologist who told me I needed to be on something and prescribed Plaquenil. Like most of you, I have good days and not so good days but am tired of hearing myself say, my bones hurt. So, what's the answer here, Plaquenil (the conservative approach) or hit it hard with the big guns. I'm still confused by this disease and how to sort it all out. What to take, what not to take, and do I have the right doctor. I’ve been on Plaquenil for about a year now, taken twice a day. The first rheumatologist I saw wanted to start me out right away on methotrexate and Enbrel. I was concerned about the side affects of both of these drugs and wanted a more conservative approach. Her argument to me was: “we need to hit it and hit it hard.” Okay that might be her theory but mine was the disease can make you sick but the cure will kill you. I sought out a second opinion with another rheumatologist who told me I needed to be on something and prescribed Plaquenil. Like most of you, I have good days and not so good days but am tired of hearing myself say, my bones hurt. So, what’s the answer here, Plaquenil (the conservative approach) or hit it hard with the big guns. I’m still confused by this disease and how to sort it all out. What to take, what not to take, and do I have the right doctor.

]]> By: Liz http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-123723 Liz Sun, 27 Nov 2011 21:28:41 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-123723 Regarding Methotrexate in my case...I'm not on an biologics (yet) I am on an RX strength anti-inflammatory drug along with the folic acid but that's all. I was given the names of two RA drugs by my rheumy over the phone, told to research them on the internet and from that I was to decide. The other drug impacts the eyes and I chose Mxt over that thinking BOTH sounded nasty. I'm grateful for the internet but the information sure doesn't give alot of HOPE. NO cure in the near future and doctors not knowing the cause of the disease doesn't make for alot of hope. Regarding Methotrexate in my case…I’m not on an biologics (yet) I am on an RX strength anti-inflammatory drug along with the folic acid but that’s all. I was given the names of two RA drugs by my rheumy over the phone, told to research them on the internet and from that I was to decide. The other drug impacts the eyes and I chose Mxt over that thinking BOTH sounded nasty. I’m grateful for the internet but the information sure doesn’t give alot of HOPE. NO cure in the near future and doctors not knowing the cause of the disease doesn’t make for alot of hope.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-121794 Kelly Young Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:16:42 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-121794 The odds are about the same for each one of the meds - but what we hope is that new meds may help different people. There are at least 1/3 of us who are not helped by any of them -which is why companies are spending such expense to find more of them. The "don't give up hope" message is something I hope is found on every page of this site. The odds are about the same for each one of the meds – but what we hope is that new meds may help different people. There are at least 1/3 of us who are not helped by any of them -which is why companies are spending such expense to find more of them. The “don’t give up hope” message is something I hope is found on every page of this site.

]]> By: Elmer http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-121734 Elmer Wed, 23 Nov 2011 23:58:08 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-121734 The difference in the response of different people to various drugs is amazing. As for me, I was completely debilitated -- I could not get out of bed by myself, I could not dress myself. I think it was even harder on my wife than it was on me. I went through a whole series of medications with little relief from any of them. Saying I was depressed is an understatement. Then came Orencia -- Hopefully my story of what Orencia did for me will offer hope to some others who are suffering. Since starting Orencia, I have practically no symptoms - I walk about two miles a day and longer on many weekends. It is like I have reclaimed my life. I have been on Orencia for over two years. I certainly hope that it keeps working. My final comment -- Do not give up hope (as I was about to do) you just have to find the medicine that works for you. The difference in the response of different people to various drugs is amazing. As for me, I was completely debilitated — I could not get out of bed by myself, I could not dress myself. I think it was even harder on my wife than it was on me. I went through a whole series of medications with little relief from any of them. Saying I was depressed is an understatement. Then came Orencia — Hopefully my story of what Orencia did for me will offer hope to some others who are suffering. Since starting Orencia, I have practically no symptoms – I walk about two miles a day and longer on many weekends. It is like I have reclaimed my life. I have been on Orencia for over two years. I certainly hope that it keeps working. My final comment — Do not give up hope (as I was about to do) you just have to find the medicine that works for you.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-67581 Kelly Young Fri, 20 May 2011 01:16:47 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-67581 Many have none, Debby, but there are many possible ones listed. But I have had a rash/hives from one and a persistant productive cough from another. the other 2 I had no problems from. One of them can cause weight gain in some people. Sometimes there are headaches for a day after an IV. It's really better to ask your doctor and do research on one at a time. Pick the one you might be prescribed and start searching about that one. Hope this helps. I know it's scary. Many have none, Debby, but there are many possible ones listed. But I have had a rash/hives from one and a persistant productive cough from another. the other 2 I had no problems from. One of them can cause weight gain in some people. Sometimes there are headaches for a day after an IV. It’s really better to ask your doctor and do research on one at a time. Pick the one you might be prescribed and start searching about that one. Hope this helps. I know it’s scary.

]]> By: Debby Goss http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-67534 Debby Goss Thu, 19 May 2011 19:08:25 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-67534 biologics scare the devil out of me. What are side affects that people have and how serious are they? biologics scare the devil out of me.
What are side affects that people have and how serious are they?

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-49694 Kelly Young Tue, 11 Jan 2011 15:08:55 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-49694 Jennifer, I hope the Enbrel helps soon. I can take longer than that so don't give up. 2 weeks is a best case scenerio. The outside is probably between 4 and 6months. Average might be around 6 weeks. But if Enbrel doesn't fit your type of RA, you can try another type of Biologic at that point. I know that's not a fun thought either. Also, if you're taking methotrexate with it, that might be increased by your doc. I appreciate how hard you are trying to be optimistic. I do the same thing with every treatment. I always say if hope can cure, I'm going to be fine since I've lots of that. I also hear you about the pain not going away. :( Sorry. Please tell your doctor about your pain (& all symptoms) - since there is almost always 1 more thing to try to make you feel a little better so you can function. Good luck!! Jennifer, I hope the Enbrel helps soon. I can take longer than that so don’t give up. 2 weeks is a best case scenerio. The outside is probably between 4 and 6months. Average might be around 6 weeks. But if Enbrel doesn’t fit your type of RA, you can try another type of Biologic at that point. I know that’s not a fun thought either. Also, if you’re taking methotrexate with it, that might be increased by your doc.

I appreciate how hard you are trying to be optimistic. I do the same thing with every treatment. I always say if hope can cure, I’m going to be fine since I’ve lots of that. I also hear you about the pain not going away. :( Sorry. Please tell your doctor about your pain (& all symptoms) – since there is almost always 1 more thing to try to make you feel a little better so you can function. Good luck!!

]]> By: jennifer http://rawarrior.com/how-well-do-biologic-medications-help-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/?show=comments-49563 jennifer Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:15:35 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1456#comment-49563 Hello all, I just took my 6th Enbrel shot this morning, so I've been on it for 5 weeks. I haven't felt any change yet in pain, inflammation, or fatigue. I kept reading about how it works in 'as little as 2 weeks'. Is there anyone successfully on Enbrel (or another similar biologic) that took longer to feel an effect? I am trying so hard to be hopeful and positive, but seriously....I am surviving, not really living. Just getting through what I have to. I would like some relief in a form other than prednisone and vicodin!! (which don't take the pain away either, just help) Hoping for reassurance, jennifer Hello all,
I just took my 6th Enbrel shot this morning, so I’ve been on it for 5 weeks. I haven’t felt any change yet in pain, inflammation, or fatigue. I kept reading about how it works in ‘as little as 2 weeks’. Is there anyone successfully on Enbrel (or another similar biologic) that took longer to feel an effect? I am trying so hard to be hopeful and positive, but seriously….I am surviving, not really living. Just getting through what I have to. I would like some relief in a form other than prednisone and vicodin!! (which don’t take the pain away either, just help)
Hoping for reassurance,
jennifer

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