Make a connection, ask a question, share a concern, give advice or just chat. Our message boards connect you with a community of people who understand where you’re coming from and what you’re going through.
I joined in to get feedback on peoples experiences with different medications. I have not gone to a rheumatologist because I am afraid of the medications ie:methotextrate. What I read makes my skin crawl. I have a heart murmur and I experience bigeminy occassionally. Some of the meds I did try practically ripped my stomach out and made my head feel like it was going to burst. I am interested in how the new biologicals ie:humira are affecting other R/A sufferers.
Just a brief history about my experience with RA. I was dignose with RA at the ages of 20, now I am 24. I have tried so many medicines from steroids, methortxate, enbrel, and now I'm on Remicade. About a month ago I had surgery on my elbow to remove some of the overgrown tissue. The surgery didn't work well because now the pain is back. You asked about humira, I haven't tried it yet but I'm sure its next. Enbrel and Remicade worked wonders for months but it always stops, I don't know what to do I just tired of the pain. I want to be a normal 24 year old.
when you say you have not gone to a rheumatologist, that slightly concerned me. My first reaction is to say you are worring for nothing. But before I jump to conclusions, have you been tested to have a hight RA factor.
NSAIDS will and does tear everyone's stomach up. Some cause migranes.. You have to work with your doc to get the right prescripts and dosages. If you are newly diagnosed, they will not automatically put you on enbrel or Humira unless you already have onsetting or progressive joint damage. However Enbrel does work to keep pain and swelling at pay. However, it is not a cure for the joint errossion. It only slows it does. For me, Enbrel stopped working after 6 years. And Humira could not help as well. However it may have just been my body. Please discussion it with your doc. My only statement is if you are in enough pain and you RA has progressed enuff, you will overcome your fear of meds..they are the ying and yang of our condition. They are the good and the evil...lol
Posts: 2 | Location: norfolk, va | Registered: 02-19-2009
Rheumatoid Arthritis Community 
