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Alternatives to Methatrexate

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 3/8/2015 9:01 AM (GMT 0)
Long story short, I'm 42, dx with RA 5/14. Started Methotrexate at that time and was doing better pain and mobility wise. 12/14 my liver enzymes spiked for UNK reasons (very light infrequent drinker, no other meds that should interfere etc, in relatively good shape otherwise).

I was OK for about 3 weeks off of the MTX, then gradually started getting sore again, till I had flare about 1 month ago. Was put on a burst and taper of Prednisone, which helped, but only short term.

Getting pretty bad again with all the usual pain to my hands, wrists and feet plus new ones like the left side of my Jaw which makes it hard to eat and actually has my bite out of alingnement! My left shoulder is getting sore too, which is also new and my nodule in my left elbow is worse.

So after being off MTX since 12/15 my labs are still elevated. What other alternative meds/combos that my Dr and I can explore? I'm not against sticking myself with a needle/auto-injector if needed, just looking for some relief. I'd like to have some info going into my next appt with is set of 5/15 (but I hope to get it moved sooner).

This is starting to affect my job (Police Sergeant), my home life as I can not do as much with my kids and I tend to me a little more grumpy (lol) and my hobbies which mainly is flyfishing.

Thanks for any info, experience, suggestions etc,
J-
Posted 3/8/2015 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
I'm allergic to mtx, so my doctor has me on plaquinel and Arava. Can you take them?
Posted 3/9/2015 6:36 AM (GMT 0)
Have you considered Humira or Enbril. There are risks, but the benefits outweighed the risks for me. Was not able to work, or even walk, without it, myself. Email me if you like and I will tell you my story.
Beth
Posted 3/9/2015 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Starting Humira soon, just waiting on the TB test results from today.Dr did not want to put me back on MTX since it always ups my enzymes and they come down slower each time.

Started a burst and taper of prednisone today too since I literally went from just sore to worse than I was a year ago pre diagnosis over the course of about 36 hrs.

Maybe ill be able to get some sleep since the pain made it impossible to get comfortable and sleep for more than about an hr at a time.

Thanks for listening,
J-
Posted 3/10/2015 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
J,
It took me a year to get dx and Jim thru hoops. The good news is the relief with tumors was almost instantaneous and I finally got some sleep and my life wasn't ruled by RA. It is far from pain free but I am able to exercise and work and care for husband and grandkids. I hope you have good results too! Best wishes,
Beth
Posted 3/10/2015 2:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, should have checked for typos. Meant humira not tumors...dang spell check!
Posted 3/13/2015 7:35 PM (GMT 0)
Was on both MTX (which I stopped doing with the needles eyes ) didn't do anything but make my hair fall out. Started with that and Enbril auto-inject that left me with skin infection,but after starting the Embril I felt great ! Pain went from a 20 to a 1 that fast. Because of the skin infection I could no longer take any auto-inject. I'm now on Remicade infustions every 5 weeks 200 mg, started at 500 mg and am now pain free since summer turn Talk to your RA doctor about something then what you are taking because it will only get worst,trust me.
Much love to all...
Posted 3/22/2015 6:32 AM (GMT 0)
J, wondering if you started humira and how you are doing?
Beth
Posted 3/22/2015 4:56 PM (GMT 0)
Beth. Yep did my first injection on this past Friday. Went off with out s hitch and was easy/painless.

I may be crazy but seems to be working already too. Pretty pain free,much more than I have been for quite a while.

Hope in the long run its w winner.

Thanks
J-
Posted 3/23/2015 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
J, You are not crazy. It kicked in for me that quickly too! Good sign! Best wishes.
Beth
Posted 3/23/2015 6:57 AM (GMT 0)
J, Out of curiosity, where do you fly fish? I was originally from CO, but now live in NO CA. It's time to to tie one on, yes?
Beth
Posted 3/23/2015 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
Beth

I'm from Michigan so I do most of my fishing in Michigan but also hit Ohio, Pennsylvania and western new York on a pretty regular basis. I do a fare amount of sal***er fly fishing too in Florida and Belize, when I get a chance. Lol. I've yet to make it out west but I am planning a trip to Wyoming next spring to fish with some friends.

Thanks again for all the info and encouragement in this thread.

J-
Posted 3/23/2015 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
Have you looked at alternative medicine? There is a belief that if you alkalize the blood the body can repair itself. This is done by eating raw fruits and vegetables. It is the acid in your body that destroy your joints and give you pain. Acid in the blood is created by eating animal protein, drugs and simple carbs(sugar). Try an alkalizing diet for a month and it could be the answer.
Posted 3/24/2015 7:00 PM (GMT 0)
Eat2be,
I would assume you are not suggesting that J quit using the drugs that are working for her, but possibly adding a diet change. If I changed my diet based on every recommendation that came my way, I would eat only turmeric and fennel! Lol
Beth
Posted 3/25/2015 1:27 PM (GMT 0)
I am not suggesting that anyone stop their medication without discussing it with their doctor. If I were taking more than one medication I would discuss this with my doctor because multiple medications can interact with each other causing side effects. The purpose of eating is to provide the body with vitamins and minerals. If you are eating a lot of sugar and process foods you are not getting the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body to repair itself. The raw fruits and vegetables give us the vitamins and minerals necessary for the body to make repairs. It will alkalize the blood getting rid of the acid which results in disease. It is up to each of us to figure out the diet which is best for us but the principal of eating real food to get the vitamins and minerals is sound. When I was very sick I used diet as the main principal for getting my health back. We have a big problem with our health due to the fact there is a McDonald's on every corner. Alternative medicine believes you have to eat real food to get your health back.
Posted 3/26/2015 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
Eat2be,
Well I do agree with you that McDonald's is not real food, and fast food and processed foods have really become a problem leading to obesity and a host of other problems for a very large part of our society. And I personally think the real stuff tastes better! I also like chocolate cake and ice cream, so I exercise a lot ;)
Beth
Posted 3/27/2015 5:06 PM (GMT 0)
turn You people are funny and happy and happy the auto-injec is working. When I was at first doing the Enbril I felt great after the 2nd shot, so glad you found what works for you. Wish I cound have stayed on it. As far has food, if food worked instead of going for infustions I would be on a diet that takes the RA away. I take vitamins and minerals and drink a protin shake full of the same but it doesn't stop the pain. I take all this just to up the game for my skin,hair, and body knowing I'm on Remicade and what it can do to me and does do to me. Right now I'm eating low-carb to lose lbs I put on from not moving for months. Well I did move I went from the couch to the bed all winter. turn

Much love to all...
Posted 3/29/2015 4:08 AM (GMT 0)
Mgape, Happy spring! It's so great that the infusions are helping you and you seem to be working through the grief of losing your loved ones. You are a real inspiration and I hope you find much joy this spring as you are able to get out and enjoy your day. Keep moving forward, unless it's to stop and smell the flowers blooming! ;)
Posted 4/1/2015 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
J-sorry to hear about the RA and the Mtx failure and the liver enzymes. I work in health care and had a mild case of Hep B back in the early 80's so I wonder what kind of drugs I will be eligible to take.
I am interested to hear what your Dr. will try for you next. I've got to find a new rheumy.
Posted 4/3/2015 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi J,

Sorry that you are going thru the cocktails of medication due to your RA.

I can empathise with your situation. There was a point I felt like committing suicide.

I suffered from AS(Ankylosing Spondylitis) at age of 17... initially, the sacroiliac joint fused up, then as I grew older, it affected my left hip. Limping for 2 years, right hip also got affected. During this period of time, my only hope is to rely on my doc, which prescribed me naproxen, ibuprofen, sulphursalazine, voltaren, indomethacin, and many many more...

I kept hoping that one of these drugs will control my disease, and i tried traditional methods too.... from going to acupuncture, to going to chung hwa clinic at Toa payoh (prescribe with cockroaches, centipede, wood lice, scorpion), drinking raw potatoes juice 2 full cups a day with empty stomach.

Eventually, I also went thru the stage of taking MTX with prednisolone. Still not working for me... I went for trial remicade, sitting together with the cancer patients in NUH... effective for a week, then all symptoms came back again... Dr said I must continue the remicade and there is a subsidy from government. $3000/mth!!! either I inject myself on the stomach or I come to NUH once a week for a drip. I really can't afford such bill.

THe pain worsen and I walked with crutches for almost a year while working as network engineer... i still can remember the sympathetic look my colleagues gave me every time I walked pass them.

Cut things short, I went for left hip replacement surgery in 2003, then right hip replacement surgery in 2008. and was given arcoxia 180mg (3 times a day) to control my pain from other parts of my body such as neck and shoulder blade pain. Dr again asked me to consider a new improved version of remicade (humira), which is now more affordable. $2000/mth! Mind you, when I was in New York last year Nov 2014, there were TV advertisement on Humira every day! portraying the impression that you can immediately recover and start doing normal things, but at the end of the commercial, it has warning message and said may cause heart failure, and other very scary symptoms , and if anyone experienced such symptoms, please contact the legal hotline on how to make claims... I dont even dare to consider! If can cure my illness completely, yes I will take it. But humira only control your symptoms, and is long term medication.

i should have done my surgery earlier, else my right hip will not be affected. Just that the thought of someone sawing my bone off and replaced with a titanium metal really freaked me out.

Been taking Arcoxia for more than 10 years already, and all it does is to reduce my pain on my neck and shoulder blade, and "reduced inflammation", which my ESR and CRP are super high! 150 if I can remember. Normal people is below 10!

Since 2 years ago, I changed my lifestyle by sleeping early, take soupy food, take more whole food. My ESR and CRP went down to 65, 50, 44, and finally around 20.... and becomes rather stagnant for almost a year. I still take arcoxia, but reduced the dosage from 180mg 3 times a day to 60mg once a day. I read about the side effect of arcoxia, and really afraid that one day I might die of heart attack!

However, just last week, someone introduced me to drink a product which contains concentrated resveratrol, claimed to reduce body inflammation, joint pain, control cancer,diabetes, high blood pressure, eczema, and many many wonders... You can go google it to find out. ITs a break through product in US...

Guess what? I havent been on Arcoxia for a week now. I didn't even on any special diet.I ate fried chicken, laksa, satay at moderate level. I can still feel the stiffness from my neck and shoulder blade but At least I can skip the arcoxia for now moving like a robot the next day cos the neck and shoulder blade are so painful.

Overall, I am feeling better and I hope the effect can continue and I can break free from all the medicine which I have been taking for years.

I am having the next quarterly blood test at NUH on 3 May 2015. HOpe my ESR and CRP improve by 50%! Am I too greedy? ok lah, 20% i think is good enough.

I hope I can share some good news with you. Not sure I can post my blood test results here... so excited...
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