What else can I take besides a biologic?

Hi all. I usually post in the Crohn's forum. I have PA and it's been under control because I've been on remicade or humira for the last 10 years or so. I stopped the Humira 14 weeks ago because it induced a severe psoriasis reaction. Now the arthritis is raging and I am back to being in SO much pain. I have an appointment with a rheumy very soon, but in the mean time I've been popping advil like candy. It mostly helps the arthritis pain, but I'm terrified of a GI bleed.

Do I have any options here? It's been so long since I've taken meds for arthritis. The last pill I took was "Celebrex". I don't even know if they make that any more. Is there anything that gives the same relief as remicade or humira, but comes in pill form? I'm trying to avoid prednisone because I've been on it for over 20 years and trying to get away from it instead of boosting my dose. What do you all take?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Stef

Thanks for the post jeanneac. I can't take plaquenil. I took it in my early 20's and spent an entire summer waking up every day feeling like someone beat the poo out of me. It actually caused my arthritis to spread to several more joints and I can't believe it took me so long to figure out it was the plaquenil. It totally destroyed me. Anyway... I'm hoping there's something else that will do the trick. I'm open to methotrexate, but I was hoping to have one more kid before I close shop. :) I'm pretty sure methotrexate is a no-no for that. I'm hoping some more people will come along and post. I'm curious to see the variety of what people are taking.

I hope the plaquenil works for you!

stef,
I see you can't take plaquenil. I am on it along with methotrexate, and predisone. Plus pain meds. You are right, you can't take it if you want more kids. In fact my Rheumy said he wanted to make sure my tubes were tied before prescribing it so it may not be an option for you. the plaquenil helped me pretty quickly but just as quickly stopped working which is why he prescribed the mttx. I have't noticed anything yet but i have only been on it just over 3 weeks. I agree you need a good Rheumy to explain your options to you. Have you tried sulfur..something..can't remember what it is called. i did but had no help from it at all. Everyone is different though.My son was just dx with chrohn's. I feel so bad that you are having to deal with so much. Hang in there. Good luck with whatever you decide.Heather

Thanks everyone for your responses. It really means a lot to me that you would take the time to answer.

Bstrong - I was on the Humira about a year before the psoriasis kicked in. I started it when I was pregnant and it didn't appear until 2 months after I weaned my baby. I personally think the pregnancy/breastfeeding hormones kept it at bay. Then it just exploded.

Mama6 - I think you might be talking about azulfadine? I remember trying that as a teenager, but the drugs are all mixed up in my head because I don't remember which ones I tried for the arthritis and which ones I tried for the CD. I don't remember if it worked or not, but it must not have or I would have stayed on it for a long time. Anything is worth another try, though. I'm sorry to hear that your son was just dx with CD. That really, really stinks. I wish him all the best. If you find meds aren't doing what you want them to with him I HIGHLY recommend the Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It was a lifesaver for me. Just for whatever it's worth.

Golitho - I am POSITIVE the humira caused the psoriasis. I know I have PA, but I have never EVER in my entire life had so much as a blip of a red spot. In fact the docs who dx'd me told me they knew it was PA because I had pitted fingernails. Now I look like I have leprosy - literally. I think you are right - I need to consult a dermatologist.

I'm just so bummed because so many of the meds that are used to treat all of what I got - are supposed to help with the psoriasis too and now I'm afraid it will just make it worse. Oh well. "Ugly" isn't going to kill me. The arthritis however is too much to deal with so I'm hoping the rhuemy has something good to tell me this week. Thanks again everyone for all of your input!!!

I take Celebrex, Tramadol, sometimes Soma and the I take an occassional Medrol pack and get steroid injections in my joints. If I take the Celebrex faithfully, I don't need to take Soma or prednisone very often. I can't take Plaquenil ,either. It did work for me, but six months in, it caused an allergic reaction. I had little red bumps on my tongue and my tongue was sore. I tried Chloroquine, too. That made my ears ring...they are still ringing. :(

The doctors are still at odds on whether or not I have RA, so I am not taking anything else for the arthritis at the moment. I am having an MRI of my knee next week. That may show RA, my ortho said. I'm so sorry you are in this situation. It is very difficult to navigate the waters when you don't know which med is going to help or hurt. Hang in there and try one thing at a time and see if it helps. If I were you, I would ask for Celebrex. I have a bad stomach due to a rheumy giving me 2400 mg of Ibuprofen for a year, several years ago. Celebrex is the only thing I can tolerate.

Best Wishes to you,
V