I need to ask a question concerning the Remicade treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis. My sister is trying the Remicade for the second go round. The first time see only made it thru three treatment sessions because she experienced some breathing problems. Her new doctor has recommended that she try it again and this time she experienced breathing problems again on the second treatment. What are the side effects of this treatment? Her doctor still wants her to continue taking the treatments and now she is fearful to continue. I am a little skeptical about this treatment because it appears to be putting my sister at risk. The treatments are done in a doctors office and no one was in the room with her when she was experiencing problems. Is this a normal problem with the treatment. How can I get more information on this treatment?

For the past 8 years I have been on a weekly dose of 17.5mg of oral Methotrexate and 500mg of Plaquenil( the dose of plaquenil was reduced after 2 years of taking it, when it stopped being effective.) I have had several minor flares all along and taken NSAID .However since the last 6 months my joint flares are frequent and I am on constant anti-inflamatory’s . Please could you tell me if the dose of Methotrexate is increased , will I experience less number of flares? Or has Methotrexate stopped being effective ?I am waiting to get an appointment to see my rhuematologist. I am 52 years old and was diognosed with ‘Poly-arthritis”

Would there be any reason to be on both Remicade and Humira, at the same time?

Thank you for your response to my earlier question, “Effectiveness of increased Methotrexate “.This is a follow up question . The flare ups that I experience are not very severe, in that there is not much redness or much swelling (as experienced when I was first diognosed with the disease).Usually the maximum recommended dose of NSAID for 3 or 4 days and with restricting the movement of the affected joint, either with a brace (as in my wrist)or resting a painful hip, I am able to get back the functioning of the joint.However movement of any joint beyond a certain limit causes it to flare . My question is, if Methotrexate does not work as effectively as before and I am wary of the TNF blockers as well as the phenomenal cost of the treatment , is it safe to continue with using NSAIDs. Also will injecting Methotraxate be more effective than pills?

Thank you for your response to my earlier question, “Effectiveness of increased Methotrexate “.This is a follow up question . The flare ups that I experience are not very severe, in that there is not much redness or much swelling (as experienced when I was first diognosed with the disease).Usually the maximum recommended dose of NSAID for 3 or 4 days and with restricting the movement of the affected joint, either with a brace (as in my wrist)or resting a painful hip, I am able to get back the functioning of the joint.However movement of any joint beyond a certain limit causes it to flare . My question is, if Methotrexate does not work as effectively as before and I am wary of the TNF blockers as well as the phenomenal cost of the treatment , is it safe to continue with using NSAIDs. Also will injecting Methotraxate be more effective than pills?

Hi, Iam planning on getting pregnant. Currently I take 5mg prednisone daily, 25 mg enbrel twice a week, and 15mg Mobic daily. When i do find out that Iam pregnant what and when should i stop the medications. If i continue to stay sore, what medication is the safest to take, and is tylenol safe to take everyday instead of one of the other medications especially the first trimester? and do any of these cause any side effects or birth defects if taken, especially first trimester?