I did...and wound up going back on.

Like you I switched from pills to i injections. Was on it for many years along with Orencia. In remission and wondered if it was doing anything. I was on a VERY low dose - .# - .4 ml. So I stopped an felt fine.

Then I got a bad infection (c-dif) an had to stop ALL RA meds - meaning gOren cia. I went in to a VICIOUS full body flare - RA and Sjogrens.

After infection cleared I want back on Orencia. Took a couple of months for it to really have full effect.... I felt OK but not like I ha felt prior so talked to my doc and we added Resuvo methotrexate injection "pens>" Now I am back to full remission.

Thank you for your response!

I had a feeling the methotrxate needs to br a keeper! I too use racuvo mitigates methotrexate side effects.

I failed mthx in 2009 when my liver enzymes went too high. It was a great drug for me, in combo with a biologic. I tried Sulfasalazine, I didn't have quite as much energy, but after 8 months I became very allergic to it.

The next stop was Rituxan, which I was on for 3 years. I met a number of people at the infusion place who were on Rituxan and mthx. But I was just taking it alone. what I found, was that after 4 1/2 months it started to fail. The problem in Canada, is insurance wouldn't cover a 4 month protocol, and the way it works, is that you have to wait till 6 months was up to see the insurance nurses to get evaluated as needin the next infusion. Which I already did.

I think this is because, for some people Rituxan can last a year or even up to 4. But not me! So once you get insurance approval, the doctor has to sign it and write up the prescription. One summer, he left the day I got the first approval and it was over a month before he was back at work, Then the papers got lost. Then the company had to approve it. Then another wait to get booked for the actual infusion. So sometimes I was in failure as long as it worked.

But Rituxan also affected my lungs badly, right from the first infusion. And it got worse. So, I said - I want off. And that was the end. But I do wonder if I had been able to take mthx, whether I would have held longer?

So after 7 years, Orencia and Arava was not enough. So, after consulting with a liver specialist, and my enzymes being consistently in the range of normal, I went back on mthx, but only 10 mg. I feel so much better, although it is not making it quite the week. So hopefully on Tuesday my rheumatologist will ok me to go up another 5 mg.

As for you, I don't understand why you don't like the injections. They are so painless and easy. My opinon, of course. My stomach got really damaged on the oral mthx, so I take various enzymes now, and my stomach is almost normal. Maybe that is something you could look into? Also, Glutamic Acid has really helped my stomach, which I take at every meal.

I suppose you could try going off mthx, and see if Rituxan is enough. But if you already know you have severe RA, I would not take a chance. Sometimes, if you go off a med, they do not work the same way when you restart.

I hope that helps a bit!

This was very helpful and I thank you for taking the time to share your info.

I dont mind injections. I injected interferon for 9 years for my MS.

I want to leave methotrexate to get my tummy back I order. The methotrexate injection of racuvo is not a problem till he drug is in me. I am spoiled I that I want to get my tummy back to feeling better. I don't lose hair or have mouth sores or any other more impactful side effects so I really should just suck it up and be glad my rheumatologist office actually does a the insurance fighting for me!! (See spoiled)

Getting input helps. When I am on something that seems to work I get superstitious about coming off that drug.

I just hate all the drugs I take. I can't believe it can be good for me long term but until there is a cure the alternative is dire so I will stay where I am and be grateful I have access to what we need for now.

Thank you,
Multijo

I take Humira and MTX. Before that I was on max dose MTX [25 mg] injectable version.

When I went on Humira, and I understand this is typical for all/most biologics, they cut the MTX dose way back to 7.5 mg. With that lower dose I was easily able to tolerate the MTX pills....no nausea at all.

I hear you about all the drugs....I have a number of diseases, too, and take 11 pills in the morning [none are vitamins or supplements except for Folic Acid], then there's the evening and bedtime stuff.

I'm just grateful the drugs work.

I've been taking Riruxan for 9 years with Yuuuuge success. No MTX, no nuthin', except ibuprofen a couple of times a week, but not fir RA stuff. I started with MTX, but it failed me - why do people always say they failed this or that drug? it's the other way around. Anyway, it took a long time for MTX to work decently (5-6 months), and I was up to 25 mg pretty quickly. No side effects to speak of, save some fatigue, but none of the other complaints people usually have. That changed after 18 months, however, and I had a bad lung reaction, ICU for a week, hospital for 2 weeks, then no drugs, except high dose prednisone (for lungs). MY RD wanted to start me on Arava, but in one of the rare times I've had elevated liver enzymes (maybe because of the massive amount of steroids?), he suggested Remicade. That failed me badly, as well, so that's how I ended up on Rituxan. Rheumatologists seem to like people to take a DMARD with Rituxan, I think originally because all the trial data used both, but I've had no problem. I was off MTX for 9 months before I started Rituxan, and I have no idea if stopping it midstream would have an effect, so check with your doc.

Right, Buddhacat! From now on, the drugs failed me! Great way to put it.