DMARDs for Arthritis Q & A

Can you take regular shot of Enbrel on the same week of colonoscopy?

Do you think there is a greater risk of getting skin cancer if on the drug Humira? I have been on Enbrel, Remicade and now Humira for the last two years and I have had 6 skin cancers, 5 Basal Cell and 1 Squamous, and today found out that I have 2 more probable skin cancers. All of these cancers in the last 2 years.

I am pharmacy student on my clinical rotation. I recently had a doctor ask me if he could give the new shingles vaccine, Zostavax to a patient of his that was on Enbrel. The vaccine is contraindicated for patients on immunosuppressant therapy. It is a live vaccine and I have been unable to find any guidelines on its use in RA patients. I think this would become an issue since the vaccine is indicated in older patients who are more likely to have problems with RA.

My daughter is thirty years old and is taking Enbrel. When she goes off of it to try and get pregnant. When she goes off of the medicine and hopefully gets pregnant what happens to the Rhematoid arthritis? Does it usually get better or worse? Does it just depend on each person individually? Also after the hopeful successful preganancy how will the rhematoid arthritis be? Is is just a who knows?

I have found that when I am delivered my Humira, the drug is destroyed some times when the weather is either very hot or very cold, it just doesnt work every once in a while. I know how the drug should be handled, but it is not once it leaves Abbott. Same with Enbrel which I use to be on. The drugs get sent by way of Fed Ex, are tumbled around and put through temps that it will not survive in. This is frusterating to so many of us pts taking these drugs. I have talked with my RD, and he is frusterated too as he gets many of the same complaints by his pts (inconsistent drug). Do you see this as a problem with your patients? Do you have any suggestions. I even wrote an email and complaint to FDA and was never responded to.

I have been on methorexate for about 2 yrs. for Takayasus.Was having stomach problems and was switched to injections (15mg). Have been off 2 mos. of steroids and just on MTX injection once a week. Have been diagnosed with gastritis and am wondering if I should be taken off Methotrexate completely, since the Prevacid that I am taking twice a day is not helping, or try another stomach medicine, or could this be prendisone withdrawal.