Rheumatoid Arthritis Q & A

I was diagnosed just about a year ago. I have been on Humira injections since May of 08 and have been taking methatrexate since mid December. I started with 3 pills a week and I am up to 5. Nothing seems to work. I continue to have swelling and pain in my fingers and hands and pain in my feet and knees every day. The only thing that seems to work is 15mg of prednisone daily. Should I stay on the prednisone or talk to my doctor about a different medication.

I was diagnosed just about a year ago. I have been on Humira injections since May of 08 and have been taking methatrexate since mid December. I started with 3 pills a week and I am up to 5. Nothing seems to work. I continue to have swelling and pain in my fingers and hands and pain in my feet and knees every day. The only thing that seems to work is 15mg of prednisone daily. Should I stay on the prednisone or talk to my doctor about a different medication.

I just had a blood test done and m doctor said that my levels for R.A was 16 he is concerned that I may have R.A, he suggested that I see a specialist. Does this “Actually” mean that I am starting to develop R.A?

I have just recently been diagnosed with RA and am starting on my 4th week of Methotrexate. My doctor has told me I can have 4 glasses of wine a year. I have read where you should not drink on the day you take Methotrexate and that having a couple glasses of wine a week is permissible. Why is my doctor telling me otherwise? All my initial blood work came out fine. If one goes into remission after a year or two with RA, can you go off the Methotrexate or do you have to continue taking the drug no matter what?

I am on infusions,(remecade) I am wondering, which seems to be a better treatment, Embriel, Humira, or what I am currently on. Could you please advise Thank you Cindy Kwiatkowski

I am 49 and was diagnosed with RA 2 months ago. I have been on MTX for 8 weeks. I have not seen any improvement and have read that it can take even up to 3 months for MTX to work. I have also read that taking a combination of etanercept and MTX is more effective than just MTX. In 2002 I had a positive PPD test but went to a pulmonary specialist with X rays to determine if it was active. It was not. I have had x rays every year to 18 months since 2002. Is it too risky for me to take etanercept since I had a positive PPD test in 2002?