Rheumatoid Arthritis Q & A

I am taking Plaquenil,Methotrexate, Prednisone, and NSIAD for my RA and My doctor wants to add Enbrel. The meds that I am on now are not help very much. My doctor says that my RA is still very active. If I try Enbrel and if that don’t work, then what is next? Is there any new treatments out there now?

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 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 borther 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?