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New to Forum...Dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/2/2010 6:50 PM (GMT 0)

I came upon this site by accident but have found information to help me.  I have been on Methotrexate four months now (8 pills, once a week) and it is not helping with the pain or relieving the symptoms.  My specialist is running a few tests in preperation of starting me on Remicade Drip in April.

With all of the side affects the Remicade has listed I started to panic!  I really had thought about not trying Remicade until I started reading some of the posts on here.  It seems it is helping so many people.

In the last year I have seen my life go from being active and full of energy to dealing with horrific pain, no energy, body swelling and wondering if I will ever feel vibrant and looking forward to each new day.

Thank you for sharing your experiences with me and I look forward to moving forward with this wonderful support group.

Sincerely...Ally

Posted 3/2/2010 10:11 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Ally Welcome to HW and the RA forumsmilewinkgrin

The meds we have to take for our relief are quite scary. I too take MTX and I also take Humira and am tapering the pred.

Hopefully adding Remi to the MTX will give you relief.

Keep posting and let us know how the Remi goes for you.

Jo

Posted 3/3/2010 2:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ally,
My first experience with RA was during a 4 day, 240 bicycle mile ride through the San Juans of SW Colorado where I live. That was 8 years ago.
I think the most any of us can do is tell you about our experiences and hope it inspires you to push on.

I was on MTX and Enbrel for almost 3 years, it helped significantly; about 2.5 years ago I stopped taking both; in the last 4 months I've been on Prendisone and back on Enbrel.

It sucks at times, but it also inspires me at times, it is just like everything else.
Fight the good fight ... Craig
Posted 3/4/2010 8:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ally, Welcome to Healing Well. I use to be on Remicade for my CD which it helped but it did
nothing for my RA. I am now on Humira. It works good for my CD but with my RA I am on Mobic
for now.
Posted 3/4/2010 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
Remicade has worked wonders for me. It's awesome.
Posted 3/9/2010 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Runaround, Teddybearweiser, Cbrossman and SydneyJo, 

Thank you for responding to my post...I have to admit this disease has me scared!  I am still on the Methotrexate, 8 tabs-once a week.  My doctor is running Remi through my insurance company to see if they will pay for it.

I have noticed in the last week or so that both of my hands are stiffening up and are painful at times. 

I have received a watch from my son's company that is made of surgical rubber with Germanium in it.  I was truly surprised how wearing this watch has taken the pain out of my whole left side.  I was in so much pain I could hardly bear it...at least now I can go to the grocery store without having to turn around and go right back out because of the pain.

I have heard some bad things about the Remi...some have said they almost died when given this medication.  After reading some of the responses on this site I feel maybe there is hope for me.  My son just had twin boys last week and my other son's little girl is due in July.  I just want to be able to hold them, play with them and look forward to seeing them grow.

I have always been a very active person and this has slowed me down...changed my life.  I find it hard to do much of anything at this time.  I hope the Remi will help me to have a more mobile life.

Allym

Posted 6/3/2010 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
Each person is different due to a strong or weak immune system. My doctor told me to stay away from it. He stated it can cause cancer. I pray all goes well for you because RA is no fun. RA and OA has changed my lifestyle too.
Posted 6/4/2010 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
You have to weigh up the positives and negaitives. It's worth a try, remicade can give you your life back. or it might not work. But its worth the try especially if mtx is no longer enough. The thing with the biologicals are they lower your resistance to infection so you can't muck around.

If you catch anything you have to go to the doctor and get anti biotics. I didn't realise and tried to fight the flu on my own, I ended up with pneumonia after days with the flu! I was thinking its only flu!

If remicade doesn't suit you there are many others to try but if they work its like a miracle, no pain, ease of movement, no stiffness. Definately worth it. golitho
Posted 6/6/2010 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Allym

I have been diagnosed for 4 years with RA and I have been on mtx and pred (low dosage) all that time. I also take celebrex which is an anti-inflammatory and occasional painkillers at night. The RA mostly affects my shoulders, arms and hands. All those meds combined have managed to mostly control the pain.

So in your case, it sounds like you need something to boost the mtx to make it work better for you. I am sure your doctor would know the best thing to give you, but sometimes like the others have said, it trial and error before you get one that suits you.

Good luck, I hope you are out of pain soon and please continue to post to let us know how you are going.
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