Firstamendment

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-09-2004
Firstamendment
1
Tue, 11-30-2004 - 10:44pm
Hi there! I hope this isn't too personal, but are you taking one of the new biologics for your RA? I have Psoriatic Arthritis, which is a form of RA and I take Enbrel - what a lifesaver! I was just curious to know if that's the type meds you were referring to in your post about your trip to NY. (If it's too personal, just tell me so and I'll be ok with that. :) )
iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
In reply to: juls68
Wed, 12-01-2004 - 9:41am

I take Humira and methotrexate (17.5mgs weekly), and I'm almost weaned off prednisone (been on that for about a year 1/2). I have my next rheumatologist appt next week and hopefully I can drop the last 1mg of daily prednisone, in which case I will do a huge happy dance. My mom has been on Enbrel since it was in the trial phase and it was a miracle drug for her. When I got RA my goal was to get on one of the biologicals. The methotrexate was fine for the first six month after I was diagnosed, but then it progressed and we added Humira. Things have been going very well since I started the Humira last January.

I heard Enbrel is coming out with a prefilled syringe soon - Humira is prefilled and it is so easy. I spend less than 5 minutes every other week to take it. My rheumy would have prescribed Remicade but the nurse talked me out of it because of the time committment to get the infusions, and I am so glad I went with the Humira. I won't probably ever go off methotrexate, but when I am off prednisone then the only thing I'll take on a daily basis are vitamins and the extra folic acid because of the methotrexate. I hate being tied to all these drugs, although I'm grateful for them at the same time. But only having to take my 'drugs' weekly (mtx) and bi-weekly (Humira) is going to feel like a new kind of freedom.

How long have you had psoratic arthritis?

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