Hi, just saw your post. Antibiotics are used to treat an active infection that has triggered reactive arthritis. Most people find that antibiotics don't help cure the underlying disease. Enbrel does help me, but it is given as an off label use for reactive arthritis. That means that it may be hard to obtain unless you have another qualifying type of arthritis. I have the clinical profile of someone with ankylosing spondylitis and that is why my insurance company paid for it without my having to try other drugs first. If you are in pain and suffering it is worth the effort to try and see if your insurance company will cover the cost. If you don't have the funds to pay for it, the company that makes Enbrel has a special program for patients to help those without financial resources who need the medication. I hope you find some relief soon.
Also, it's not a great idea to be on steroids long-term. Some people get relief from Arava, another DMARD. If you get the generic form of Arava, it is very inexpensive. It can take a couple of months to kick in, but it might work if you cannot get Enbrel.
Eve
Post Edited (EveSasser) : 2/4/2007 10:33:19 PM (GMT-7)