Guest guest Posted October 14, 2006 Report Share Posted October 14, 2006 A lot of people with negative rheumatoid factor still have RA. About a third of the people diagnosed with RA have a negative RF and my guess is that many people with RA and negative RF are never diagnosed with RA, so perhaps half of the people who actually have RA do not have the RF. RA can be a hard disease to diagnose and no single test can either prove or disprove that you have RA. The American College of Rheumatology has developed seven criteria for diagnosing RA and only four are required for a positive diagnosis. One of these is RF and if you have any four of the remaining six you are said to have RA. You should be seeing a board-certified rheumatologist because few others are really able to diagnose RA. You might have tried Prednisone at some time because that is a strong anti-inflammatory and usually acts quickly to reduce the symptoms of RA. However it is not very effective for stopping joint damage and continued use at high levels has many bad features. It is often used while finding the right combination of other medications or to get over a temporary flare. I’m not medically trained so don’t take my word for things but you might want to discuss the above with your doctor. God bless. From: Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ] On Behalf Of Kellie Phelps Sent: Saturday, October 07, 2006 10:15 PM Rheumatoid Arthritis Subject: Started Enbrel I just started taking Enbrel. I have never had a definate dx of RA, because I have too tested negative for the Rhuematoid Factor and all the others. I guess by trying the Enbrel my Doc thinks maybe I have RA or something like it. I have only been taking it for three weeks and have felt alot of improvements. I am no where as tired as I was and my morning stiffness is almost completely gone. The only thing is it seems my hands are getting worse. It hurts to type and have had some trouble feeling asleep because of aching hands. I also seem to be having a " bad ankle " day today. This the worst day I have had with them since starting to take the enbrel. Does anyone have trouble some days even if most the time it seems like the medications are helping? Just wondered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 sounds good Clora....I am on darvocet too. I take one in the am and one pm sometimes. the enbrel is wonderful. Hugs..paula ************** Dell Studio XPS Desktop: Save up to $400 - Limited Time Offer (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1222466512x1201463496/aol?redir=http:%2\ F%2Faltfarm.mediaplex.c om%2Fad%2Fck%2F12309%2D81939%2D1629%2D3) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2009 Report Share Posted July 9, 2009 Clora, Enbrel keeps my pain away. In fact, while I had that horrible vaginal infection, I stopped my Enbrel until it was over. I went three weeks without it, and my pain did not return. My co-pay used to be $150 for a 102-day supply, but now has gone up to $100 for a 90-day supply. To save money, I have been spreading out my Enbrel injections, and the pain seems to be staying away. I hope that Enbrel works well for you. I'm so sorry that Humira did not. Sue On Jul 9, 2009, at 1:25 PM, CLORA wrote: > Hi Everyone...........Started my enbrel 2 weeks ago. So far so good. > I am on 4 mild darvecets a day till it works. Not taking anything > else. Seems I am allergic to a lot. The darvecets help a lot. I > wonder if anyone is able to get rid of the pain of RA completely on > medication? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Hi Sue - check out: http://www.enbrel.com/index.jsp They have wonderful patient assistance programs to help with copays. For those with no insurance, they have another program for that as well. I get mine for free right now and am so grateful, but disappointed that after 7 weeks I'm still not feeling any difference. Happy to hear its working for you, though. Wishing you continued pain free days.....Doreen > > Clora, Enbrel keeps my pain away. In fact, while I had that > horrible vaginal infection, I stopped my Enbrel until it was over. > I went three weeks without it, and my pain did not return. My > co-pay used to be $150 for a 102-day supply, but now has gone up to > $100 for a 90-day supply. To save money, I have been spreading out > my Enbrel injections, and the pain seems to be staying away. > > I hope that Enbrel works well for you. I'm so sorry that Humira did > not. > > Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2009 Report Share Posted July 10, 2009 Doreen, I can afford the co-payments: it's just that I'd rather spend that money on something else. And of course I know that the Enbrel is also costing my supplemental insurance company a bundle, so if I can save us both some money without bringing back the pain and inflammation, I don't see why not. Sue On Jul 10, 2009, at 10:01 AM, Mimi wrote: > Hi Sue - check out: http://www.enbrel.com/index.jsp They have > wonderful patient assistance programs to help with copays. For those > with no insurance, they have another program for that as well. I get > mine for free right now and am so grateful, but disappointed that > after 7 weeks I'm still not feeling any difference. Happy to hear > its working for you, though. > > Wishing you continued pain free days.....Doreen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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