HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

I'm new here..just wanna say Hello ;)

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/31/2010 3:52 AM (GMT 0)
I'm new to the forum and I just wanted to say Hi.....I'm a 34 yr old female diagnosed w/ RA in July/06....Currently on MTX 20mg, Plaquenil 200mg, Folic Acid and recently added a dose of Prednisone a couple weeks ago due to the lovely flaring:(

I've always done pretty good on the MTX and Plaquenil with little to complain about untill recently and then Arthur started showing his funky face again....I started having more than just little flares about a month ago and didn't do anything about it except the usual 800 mg of Ibuprofen just thinking that it's a fluke and it will go away.....then I finally called my Rheumy and she gave me prednisone...so I'm tapering off and I'm taking 10 mg daily untill gone but I can feel it trying to come back...it's just not as bad as it was about a month ago...I'm sure that shes gonna want me to start Embrel (shes already mentioned it)....I just can't afford it right now..about $400 per mo. w/ my insurance plan..(tier 4 copay)shocked  Thats with any of the biologics..I called Anthem BCBS on this..  

Anyway...I was just wondering if any of you had any luck w/ any other drug that may help your RA??

Thanks In Advance!!

Posted 3/31/2010 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mslane and welcome!

The only non-biological I have had luck with is Plaquenil. Arava was helpful as well (it is in the same class as methotrexate and I used it to boost the Plaquenil when a flare hit that I couldn't shake), but I eventually started having a reaction to it.

Good luck!

 

Posted 3/31/2010 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome! I am on 20 mgs. of MTX and just added Humira last month. Still am not where I would like to be feeling. Abbott (the company that makes Humira) has a prescription assistance program. My co pay was going to be $150 per month with my insurance but they pick up all but $5- no salary questions at all. It's a big help.
Posted 3/31/2010 10:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi mslane, welcome to the forum! I'm 33 had Arthur for 5yrs but was Only diagnosed in aug last year. I'm on mtx injections, folic acid, depot steroid injections, Prednisolone and due to severity of current flare i'm on Morphine. How have u found mtx? I was put on pill form in aug but due to sickness, pain still being bad and high CRP I started on injection form 3wks ago. Having a bad flare at mo so been put on Morphine as Tramadol and Co Dydramol weren't working and they said If still bad after 3more injections they'll try something else. Maybe a biologic. I guess like everyone, I just want remission. Anyway, Go well X
Posted 4/1/2010 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks WearyRAsufferer....So I should just ask my rheumy about the prescription assistance program or is that something that I take care of myself online w/ Abbott?

Abol 76....I don't have any big problems w/ the MTX..fortunately!! The only problem that I do seem to have is thinning hair....co-workers are constantly taking a lent roller brush to my back...at least twice a day..I hate that part of it....but for the most part it's been very helpful to me...then we added the Plaquenil about 1 1/2 years ago.... 

So do you think if I asked her about increasing the folic acid..that might help w/ the hair loss? I have read on here that some ppl take 5mgs of Folic acid?

 

Posted 4/1/2010 2:07 AM (GMT 0)
Mslane- I just went on the Humira website and called the number listed there- everything was takrn care of by them. They contacted my insurance and set up paying all but $5 of my copay.

I would try adding 5000 mcgs of biotin for your hair loss. It has worked wonders for me!
Posted 4/1/2010 4:23 AM (GMT 0)
Taking a B complex daily may also help, it also has the folic acid in it. I remember my hair was always EVERYWHERE when I was on Mthx. Felt like I had to have a vaccuum with me all the time picking up the trail...lol.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply