Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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Caren28 05/12/2016

Has anyone else tried a drug called CellCept? I saw my rheumy today and am going to give it a try as long as today's blood work comes back ok. My understanding is that it's a DMARD, and my doc described it as being similar to methotrexate in strength and risks. It was developed as an anti-rejection drug for transplant patients. For me it will be in addition to the Arava, Plaquenil, and prednisone I'm already taking. I'm quitting Kineret, as I'm on week 7 with no improvement. Anyway, if any of you have tried CellCept I'd like to hear about your experience.

Thanks!
Caren

2leftfeet 05/12/2016

I ave not heard of it before I hope it works well for you.

mamawjo 05/12/2016

Hi Caren,

I was on CellCept for 4 1/2 years. It does tone down the immune system and reduces symptoms. I took it in combo as you will be with a mix of Arava, Plaquenil and methotrexate as well as Sulfasalazine, Plaquenil and Methotrexate and prednisone at times of flares. (I have overlap with Lupus and Sjogren's) It helped for quite a while and I think it would have been even more beneficial for me had I been able to tolerate a higher dosage. I got up to 2000 mg per day and I felt good, but my white blood cell count got dangerously low. I transitioned down to 1500 mg and then 1250 mg. I had no other adverse reactions to it. Like almost every other drug combo I've had seems to have gotten much less effective over time. I am currently off of CellCept to clear it from my body and awaiting Rituxan infusions. My insurance denied it the first time so we are appealing. I can definitely feel the difference without it and I guess if I can't get the Rituxan I will see if my rheumy thinks it can still give me some relief. Hope it will give you some relief.

Well wishes,
Jo

depotblue 05/12/2016

what was your white cell count - the number - mamawio? (referenced as dangerously low on cellcept)

thanks
Depot

mamawjo 05/14/2016

depot, my white count was down to 1.2, I believe. My rheumy sent me to a hematologist and he did a bone marrow biopsy to see if they could narrow down the cause since Lupus can also cause the low count.

buddhacat, thanks for the encouraging words about Rituxan. I'm hoping it can give me some normal semblance of life again.

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