DMARDs for Arthritis Q & A

Diagnosed with acute inflammatory Ra 2/06 – Being treated with methotrexate weekly and nsaids – pain and flare ups improved 60% – now have edema of hands legs and feet. — have been on toprol for a slight arrythmia for 3 years. Can methrotrexate or RA cause kidney malfunction? Cardioliogist and arthritis MDs disagree? I am 77 years old. Have had osteo arthritis for 25 yrs. I have been highly functioning up until January 2006.

I am 39 years old anaesthesiologist.I have been experiencing pain in both knees for the last three years.There has never been a swelling.I remain fatigued throughout the day.I am also having pain in the upper back for the last eight years that subsides on resting.I have chronic maxillary sinusitis for which middle meatus antrostomy was done three years back.My small joints are not involved.I am also having Gastroesophegeal Relux for which I regularly take Pentaprazole. Investigations show that Rheumatoid factor is positive,ANA is positive .ESR is always above 30. C-Reactive protein is negative. CBC is within limits.Uric acid level is normal. What more investigation you advice to reach at the diagnosis?Tell me the safe analgesic which can be given keeping in view of GERD. If DMARDS is advised then Whch one?

My mother is currently on methotrexate (injections)and prednisone for a combination of RA and OA. Her doctor is trying to get her off prednisone and has put her on Celebrex as a more economical method to control inflammation. We are unable to afford the Enbrel or the Humira methods. Has there been success using Celebrex? Are there other more economical alternatives than Enbrel and Humira that can be tried? She also has stomach problems with many meds, so that is why the celebrex was suggested, it was said that it would be easier on her tummy.

My brother has severe rheumatoid arthitis.Some days he can not get out of bed or feed his self he is only 47 years old he was always a very health man that enjoyed working out and staying fit this arthritis slowly hit him.My Question is would Humira injection work for him.

Is there an increased incidence, or severity, of leukocytoclastic (allergic) vasculitis with etanercept use? It looks like mine reappeared(confirmed by biopsy)and significantly increased in severity after having to drop MTX due to a low white count. I’ve been on etanercept for 18 months. My doctor and I are suspecting a sulfite sensitivity that was previously controlled by MTX and even prednisone prior to that. The impressive rash we’ve recently seen come and go on my lower legs had only appeared as an occasional low-grade vascular rash several years ago. If there is an increased incidence with etanercept use, I would expect it to only show up in the non-MTX etanercept users. I wonder if the early days of etanercept mono-therapy show this?

Right now I take 8 pills of MTX Friday night. I am about to start Enbrel. I am worried about any side effects. If I take them Friday then I will have all weekend to deal with the side effects. Can I take the two of them the same night?