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Posted 2/8/2010 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
Hi...I have RA and am having some difficulties with medications working. Or I am expecting to much from them. Mainly I am taking Methetrexate, humera, predisone. I will be coming here a lot...
Posted 2/8/2010 2:55 AM (GMT 0)

Hi tundradove and welcome to HW and the RA forumsmilewinkgrin

I take all three of those meds too - wonderful arent theyeyes

How long have you been on each of them?

I have been on pred for nearly 7 years straight, MTX for 3 years and Humira since Oct 09.

Sometimes they take a while to kick in, what mgs do you take of the pred and MTX?

Come on here as often as you like and need, the  people here are a helpful and compassionate bunch:-)

Jo

Posted 2/8/2010 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
What symptoms are you still having, what doses and for how long.

For me prednisone works in about 4 hours.

Humira should work well after a few doses.

Methotrexate-well my doc said months-but she said it like I should expect it to be many months and then it worked for me in like 6 weeks even though for part of that time I was taking only two pills.

I was expected to get off the prednisone as quickly as possible-still ended up being on it for 8 months.

Have you discussed/tried plaqunel?

Posted 2/8/2010 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on the predisone for almost a year now,same with the mtx.. Just started the humeria about 6 months ago. was doing really good then had a flare up but got some better. They started me on 30 mg of the predisone but are now trying to wean me off it.. I am down to 7.5 now but  my ankles and wrist are swelling bad and hurting again. but .. my RA Doctor stopped taking my insurance at the beginning of the year and I am waiting for my first appointment with new Doctor in mid march. so i havent been able to tell anyone that i have started hurting and swelling again. I take 15 mg of mtx once a week and one shot of humera everyother week. I am hoping they can increase one of both of these and keep me coming off the predisone as i have gained so much weight and have gotten the moon face. Do they ever get the medicine regulated so you dont hurt all the time. or do we just learn to live with it some what. the pain level isnt as bad as it was but I still cant do a lot of things for myself ...some days worse than others.
Posted 2/11/2010 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi tundralove, the mix of meds, this wonderful cocktail that we all have tailored to suit us seems to be an ongoing juggle.

I was on the same mix as you and flared so badly, they might put up your mtx to 20mg to help you drop the prednisone. Ask to be changed to prednilisone, it seems to be more effective, that way you could drop to 5mg and then slowly taper off it.

Everything is so slow. Coming off prednisone just hurts. Ask for a pain killer to help while you're dropping it. My rheumy won't prescribe pain meds so I went to my local doctor for that help. I found panadeine forte good, this is a mix of codeine and tylenol at a good strength.

Then come and rant here, because there is no easy answer and it does get so frustrating. Goodluck, golitho
Posted 2/12/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone, just catching up on posts.  I find it really interesting the meds you all seem to be on, here in the UK we only get the methotrexate to start on, then after around 6 months we may get others added.  I have just added planequil to mine, after the rheumy visit today, and am currently on prednisolone, which is being tapered down to 5mg.  I just read here that some people have been on this med long term I was told by my rheumy to come off it within 3 months.  I am not wanting to, as it really helps, nowhere near the pain I have had, and its only been one week!!  They are also looking into overlap syndrome, but not showing up much so far, although the rheumy says that the planequil should help the "other symptoms".  I work with young children, its absolutely exhausting, and to be in less pain is fantastic.  Anyhow, hope all is going ok for everyone, will try to catch up on thingsblush
Posted 2/12/2010 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
Don't forget most of us here are here because there meds aren't working as they should. We may not be the norm. My rheumy seems to start on the lighter meds first though before throwing in the mtx but friends have had the same experience that you've had. So it must be an indivdual rheumy response.

A friend with Psoriatic arthritis went straight onto mtx too.

What ever works for you, prednisone is evil, it can cause so much damage long term to organs and bones, teeth, eyes etc so best to be off it. A small dose of 5mg is not going to cause much trouble over3 months so you should be fine.

Best wishes, golitho
Posted 2/13/2010 3:35 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for the advice.. Will ask my new doctors WHEN I get to see them if they can up my mtx and /or Humira to help with the flare ups and to take the place of the predisone.Has anyone ever gotten off predisone and had the moon face and tummy go away?? If so how long after you were off it did it take . Also those who are on 5 mg is that for all times or will they take you off at some point. Have you gotten the moon face? at that doseage What test were ran to determine what kind of arthritis you have.. My remy just started me on pred and mtx from looking at my hands and feet and neck. Hoping these new doctors tell me more of what to expect.....
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