Comments on: My RA Methotrexate / Enbrel Test: How Well Do Methotrexate & Enbrel Work on Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis? http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/ Bringing information & encouragement to fight RA Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:09:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-7240 Kelly Young Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:44:44 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-7240 Yes, it's confusing when you change more than one thing at a time. Impossible to prove what is causing what. Just a thought: if it were the mtx, it's doubtful that the improvement would be so quick. That would lean toward the Advair. I hope you can get an answer - get another opinion if you need to... It could be something else entirely. Yes, it’s confusing when you change more than one thing at a time. Impossible to prove what is causing what. Just a thought: if it were the mtx, it’s doubtful that the improvement would be so quick. That would lean toward the Advair. I hope you can get an answer – get another opinion if you need to… It could be something else entirely.

]]> By: elizabeth moses http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-7161 elizabeth moses Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:54:55 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-7161 I have spent the better part of the evening researching the need for Enbrel alongside methotrexate. I started experiencing shortness of breath, anemia, and some dizzy and fainting spells, my general practioner sent me to a pulmonologist to have my lungs checked,and he also ran some blood work. i knew that I was slightly anemic, but I had never had any of these problems before. I know from researching on my own that methotrexate can cause pulmonary issues and anemia. However I learned that enbrel can excacerbate anemia as well. Since I stopped taking the methotrexate that my shortness of breath has gotten alot better. But, I'm also taking Advair too. Soooooo.....I don't know what to think! I'm so confused. Does anybody have any ideas? Thank You- Elizabeth :) I have spent the better part of the evening researching the need for Enbrel alongside methotrexate. I started experiencing shortness of breath, anemia, and some dizzy and fainting spells, my general practioner sent me to a pulmonologist to have my lungs checked,and he also ran some blood work. i knew that I was slightly anemic, but I had never had any of these problems before. I know from researching on my own that methotrexate can cause pulmonary issues and anemia. However I learned that enbrel can excacerbate anemia as well. Since I stopped taking the methotrexate that my shortness of breath has gotten alot better. But, I’m also taking Advair too. Soooooo…..I don’t know what to think! I’m so confused. Does anybody have any ideas? Thank You- Elizabeth Smile

]]> By: Lynn http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1879 Lynn Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:31:50 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1879 One thing I've discovered is that you never realize how truly badly you feel until you go off any of the drugs. If you think you're hurting while you're ON the drugs [and you are], it's nothing compared to being OFF the drugs. One thing I’ve discovered is that you never realize how truly badly you feel until you go off any of the drugs.

If you think you’re hurting while you’re ON the drugs [and you are], it’s nothing compared to being OFF the drugs.

]]> By: Helen http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1682 Helen Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:48:17 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1682 I had exactly the same experience being off Enbrel for 3 weeks - it was a nightmare. I was in so much pain I could hardly moved. The bright side is that it showed me how well Enbrel really does work and showed me I'd made the right decision to take it. I had exactly the same experience being off Enbrel for 3 weeks – it was a nightmare. I was in so much pain I could hardly moved. The bright side is that it showed me how well Enbrel really does work and showed me I’d made the right decision to take it.

]]> By: URandomnessK http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1670 URandomnessK Wed, 11 Nov 2009 04:24:04 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1670 Kelly: I hope that you are able to start meds and get relief soon. I pray for you all the time and hope that you soon will get the remission that you so very much deserve! Hang in there! I do think though that no matter how long we have arthritis, we have some form of denial. Though I have been suffering since I was in nursery school so about what 23 years now, I still have moments of denial, mostly of my limitations. Hang in there! Kelly:

I hope that you are able to start meds and get relief soon. I pray for you all the time and hope that you soon will get the remission that you so very much deserve! Hang in there! I do think though that no matter how long we have arthritis, we have some form of denial. Though I have been suffering since I was in nursery school so about what 23 years now, I still have moments of denial, mostly of my limitations. Hang in there!

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1669 Kelly Young Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:58:47 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1669 Hi Mer, Reality ck, huh? :heh: Hi Mer,
Reality ck, huh? Heh

]]> By: Viesta http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1666 Viesta Tue, 10 Nov 2009 23:39:06 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1666 Since I had the flu 5 weeks ago ( had the worse bout of RA flares during the 10 days I was sick- fever, so swollen) long story short, I have not had a flare, I can't tell you why... I am not stiff when I wake up in the morning, how long this will last, no clue. I know I did quit all dairy 4 weeks ago and all meat over the summer-- do eat fish-- some fish, anyway, I saw my Dr today, he gave me the go ahead for the * minocin * I am going with the antibotic theraphy for my RA for a few months, wish me luck folks, I think most of us have to try different routes and just need to keep each other informed, take care and thanks for reading Since I had the flu 5 weeks ago ( had the worse bout of RA flares during the 10 days I was sick- fever, so swollen) long story short, I have not had a flare, I can’t tell you why… I am not stiff when I wake up in the morning, how long this will last, no clue. I know I did quit all dairy 4 weeks ago and all meat over the summer– do eat fish– some fish, anyway, I saw my Dr today, he gave me the go ahead for the * minocin * I am going with the antibotic theraphy for my RA for a few months, wish me luck folks, I think most of us have to try different routes and just need to keep each other informed, take care and thanks for reading

]]> By: Mallen http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1665 Mallen Tue, 10 Nov 2009 22:00:35 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1665 I totally understand!! I accidently missed four doses of Arava. I couldn't pick it up and I thought, "oh well, it's only a few days, I'll be fine." Famous last words. I was hit with the reality that I do indeed have RA and I definately NEED these drugs. After five years of RA, you would think that I would have passed the denial stage!! I totally understand!! I accidently missed four doses of Arava. I couldn’t pick it up and I thought, “oh well, it’s only a few days, I’ll be fine.” Famous last words. I was hit with the reality that I do indeed have RA and I definately NEED these drugs. After five years of RA, you would think that I would have passed the denial stage!!

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1664 Kelly Young Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:58:20 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1664 Teresa, Thanks for commenting. :-D Most doctors will try to get you to take the mtx with your TNF (the Enbrel) since if you don't, your body will become "immune" to the Enbrel and it will stop working for your RA sooner than it would otherwise. What eventually happens is that people run out of options...faster than new medicines become available. Please let us know how it goes for you. Teresa,
Thanks for commenting. Grin
Most doctors will try to get you to take the mtx with your TNF (the Enbrel) since if you don’t, your body will become “immune” to the Enbrel and it will stop working for your RA sooner than it would otherwise. What eventually happens is that people run out of options…faster than new medicines become available.
Please let us know how it goes for you.

]]> By: Kelly Young http://rawarrior.com/my-ra-methotrexate-enbrel-test-how-well-do-methotrexate-enbrel-work-on-symptoms-of-rheumatoid-arthritis/comment-page-1/#comment-1663 Kelly Young Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:53:35 +0000 http://rawarrior.com/?p=1536#comment-1663 Sadly, I hear this a lot: I'm better now. I'm going off my these crazy meds... Unfortunately, the RA will not stop doing damage even if the symptoms DO wane (mine don't). So, that's a hard lesson we had to learn, but thanks for sharing to help others learn from your own "research trials" too. (BTW, Kay... :-* ) Sadly,
I hear this a lot: I’m better now. I’m going off my these crazy meds…
Unfortunately, the RA will not stop doing damage even if the symptoms DO wane (mine don’t).
So, that’s a hard lesson we had to learn, but thanks for sharing to help others learn from your own “research trials” too.
(BTW, Kay… Kiss )

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