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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methotrexate + biologic

goawayRA
goawayRA
It's time for me to add a biologic :/ I've been on methotrexate for 3 months with no relief. I feel like I'm in a constant flare and the only relief I get is from prednisone. I told my rheumy I do not want to be on long term prednisone. I'm currently on my second bout of pleurisy with severe pain in my chest when I take deeps breaths or twist my torso. My hands are so swollen I can't bend my fingers. Sooo. time to start a biologic per my rheumy. I'm hopeful and terrified.

Anyone find they were in a constant flare until a biologic was added to their regimen? I'm trying to remain positive but I am reaching that point where I just need relief.

Thank you!
goawayRA
goawayRA
I push myself and have kind of just dealt with pain for so long that this is my new baseline. I do take prednisone on days where I can't deal. I'm starting Humira as soon as my insurance approves it. Excited and hopeful to get my life back. Thanks for the kind words!
achymom
achymom
I agree with bcatz's comments about aggressive early treatment. I added Enbrel to MTX and plaquenil 3 mths after being diagnosed and that put me in remission. My doc had been scaling back everything drug wise - moved Enbrel to every 2 weeks, was down to 0.4ml of MTX and was feeling great. Only prob was I caught every bug that went around and stopped all drugs (stupidly) in order to kick a nasty sinus infection. Have been in and out of a flare since before Christmas. Apart from the infections I loved Enbrel - it made a big difference. I have 3 young kids so my house is a Petri dish, and in retrospect I should have used purell more and eaten more veggies.

I hear you on the no alcohol rule :-). I missed a glass of wine a lot! It's only the MTX that has the alcohol restrictions. I know all docs are different, but at .4ml (I think that's 10mg) she was fine with a couple of drinks a week, just never more than one at once.

Good luck with the biologic choice. We landed on Enbrel given it had been around the longest and had the shortest half life if I needed to stop it.