You might talk to your doctor about Celebrex. I am off all my RA meds right now due to some other medical issues but I did start back on my Celebrex. I have good luck with this medicine. Good luck. ;)

Linda

I already take 2 Naprosyn every morning and an occasional Darvacett or Hydrocodone in the evening

Hey TerriH52,

Have you tried higher doses of MTX - four tablets I think comes to 10mgs right? I think the max is 25mgs and then you can actually get more of it into into your system if you inject it as it isn\'t completely absorbed when taken through the stomach. But then you may get more side effects and may need to take prescription levels of folic acid.

Are you on plaquenil too? Aka hydroxyqloroquine? That seems to help many especially when piggy backed with MTX it\'s also dirt cheap when compared to the other drugs out there.

I can\'t handle MTX and we won\'t do Enbrel anymore (tried twice nasty reactions both times) so we are talking to switching me to Sulfasalazine as Arava just takes to long to get out of the system just in case a pregnancy does happen....

Oh so many drugs - I just wish they worked faster! Good luck on finding your new happy cocktail of drugs!

Ask the insurance company what other alternatives they will pay for let them know if this has been working for you and you stop it they may end up paying for more frequent Dr visits, meds, etc. There are exceptions to every rule, ask for the insurance company Dr\'s to review the case and make a recommendation. Sometimes if your Rheumy sends them info they will make exceptions (mine did) but I had to fight it. In the mean time if Enbrel can\'t help anymore than that get the rheumy to try to get Humira or one of the others to come up with a better offer. I take 25mg MTX weekly, 2mg folic acid daily, plaquenil 400mg day and a host of varying pain meds as needed. Was on enbrel but stayed sick with respiratory infections constantly, but it worked for the RA, the other stuff I am on does not work as well and am considering Orenica. Check their website they have some sort of special deal going on to help with payment also. Good Luck and hugs.

I agree with the other members. There are other drugs available, and increasing MTX then adding maybe Plaquenil and/or Sulfasalazine may be a good next step. Your doc has experience with all of these meds, so don\'t lose heart. The silver lining is you may find a drug combo that does NOT include the high-dollar stuff! BONUS!

At one point I was taking 7 MTX and he has lowered me down to 4 now. I do take 1mg of Folic Acid daily. I will ask him about the other meds. Thanks you for your advice. Terri

Terri there are many more good meds out there that your doctor may decide on so don't be scared. He will help you get on another med plan.

I'm in the same boat. I don't know yet what med plan my rheumy will put me on.

Linda

Well, there are many other DMARDS..such as Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine, and a few others. If the mtx doesn't do the trick alone, you could get on another DMARD too. Good luck to you. Erica