I am not sure mthx does make us more susceptible. When I had my foot reconstructed, back in 2009, I was told that mthx made no difference in making me susceptible to an infection. I was also told not to go off of it.

However, I think if you add the biologic, then we are immune suppressed, and we really do need to be safe. Tomorrow, I need my blood tests done. Hubby found some N-95 masks our doctor son-in-law gave us, so I will wear that, and plastic gloves, too. Hard to fit on my left hand that has so much ulnar drift.

Then I am going to come right home. I only get mine every 6 weeks, and last time it wasn't good. Liver enzymes were quite high, but I think it was Lipitor, not mthx. So, I held the Lipitor for 2 weeks, and we will see if it helps.

WarriorGal, I also do Stelara every three months, and the usual supplements: folic acid, vitamin D. Plus not-Celebrex for inflammation, I'm blanking on the name - I took Celebrex for awhile and switched to another one, and the name hasn't yet imprinted on my tiny brain.

That seems like a lot of meds. I looked up Stelara and it says its for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and moderate to severe Cohn’s Disease. RA is not listed.

Have you taken the biologics designed for RA like Enbrel, Humira, Orenicia, Zeljanz and the new one... [ blank on name, too! Starts with R ] ??

I have been on biolgics (all of the above except the newets one) and they work for me without MTX and certainly without any NSDAID or anti-inflam.

Of course, we are all different. My RA is pretty severe and my sed rate high and yet I am in total remission just on one pill a day. No more infusion or injections. I would discuss options with your rheumy unless you've already tried the biologics....or don't want to? Have you been explained why Stelara was chosen since it seems off label?

Yes, I did Humira. And officially I have an 'undifferentiated autoimmune disease" since it doesn't quite fit any of the categories. Since RA was my first diagnosis, I've just sort of stayed with that when discussing it with someone (which is actually rare anyway.)

I have no skin issues at all, but I believe at the moment my chart says I have PsA simply because that will ensure coverage for the cost of the Stelara. And the combination does appear to be working, in that there has been no significant further deterioration and my energy level is back to a degree I can at least live with.

My doctor is excellent with communications. She's expanded her practice and now has a two physician's assistants, so in addition tot he time I spend with her, I can also take more time to discuss things with either of them. That's been helpful for me, because sometimes you just need to hear things twice.

The one I couldn't think of was meloxicam. And that is actually more for a non-RA/PsA issue with my hip than anything else. The prescription for that originated with my family doctor, after he consulted the rheumatologist.

Sounds like you are getting excellent care!! I'm glad to hear it!!

oh this is funny.

buddha cat you are back ON.

mama mia.

Funny, folks went from telling everyone they were being over concerned to wearing an N 95 mask all in the span of one month! What happened? It's difficult to be to definitive soothsayers, or perhaps it's easy in print just harder in real life. Laughing.

Hi everyone!

We were told wear masks/don't wear masks/make homemade masks/wear masks but I'm not going to! HEAD SPINNING! And now we are re-open hell!

Good article: https://www.vox.com/2020/4/10/21215494/coronavirus-plans-social-distancing-economy-recession-depression-unemployment

I think what happened, is the numbers jumped.

Trudeau lied and did not close the border, either at Roxham Road from NY State to Quebecs, or the other crossings or airports. It is not Americans coming through, but people from 3rd party countries, especially Africa. Meanwhile the Iranians, Chinese and Italians are flying into our airports, and nothing was required. So, Alberta and BC have been checking passengers, and quarantining them. It is a federal responsibility, but Trudeau is playing to China and the UN, he wants a seat on the UN security council. He is totally useless and he has spent billions buying off small countries in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. China, he gave $16 million dollars worth of PPE in early Feb., so we do not have supplies. A lot of companies are retooling, GM and Ford are making ventilators, and lots of companies making masks.

Where I am is fairly safe. They have stopped most travel, except trucks with needed supplies. Some people are taking it very seriously, but so many are not. I am taking my Plaquenil stash, and it is helping my RA tremendously. I got my mthx knocked down to 12.5 mg a week injectable, and I was so stiff I could barely use my hands or stand up from a chair from the stiffness. Plaquenil didn't do anything for me the year I was on it but It is helping now. Lucky me! IF I can get it prescribed.

Nice to hear everyone is still doing ok, even if we are suffering with the isolation. We are doing Zoom with our church, which is very nice. We can talk before and after the service, which you can't do with just a broadcast. Other than that, everyone stay safe. Garden season is rapidly approaching, not sure how I will get bedding plants. I guess I should have started things like peppers and tomatoes in early March! I had no idea it would turn into a pandemic.

Sorry to hear Trudeau is a mini Trump! Albiet much better looking.