Re: From Enbrel to Methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Sorry to hear the Enbrel isn't working for you, Priscilla. You must fall into

the +20% that doesn't respond to TNF-a drugs. Maybe the Methotrexate will

help you. I've had just the opposite experience with Humira (which is the same

type of drug as Enbrel, an anti-TNF drug). Before my doctor added Humira, I was

taking increasing doses of Methotrexate...until I was taking 20 mg weekly. We

gave it a good try, about 8 months, before adding the Humira. I took the big

jump towards the big guns...because of the uveitis and glaucoma threat. As it

turned out, I really should have started on them sooner. They may have helped

save the sight I have permanently lost from the glaucoma. I've learned, first

hand, what doctors mean by the " benefits outweighing the risks " on the drugs in

our arsenal. I've now decreased the Methotrexate to only 7.5 mg weekly and

Humira, every other week. It has greatly decreased my arthritis pain and

stiffness and seems to be finally helping my uveitis! I had to go off the Humira

for

the glaucoma ahmed implant surgery and after 4 weeks was back using a cane to

get around. After I started back on the Humira (about 12 days ago)...I

noticed a significant improvement, again after only three days...and it is still

getting better. We all react to medicine differently and we have to keep trying

different ones until something helps us. I hope the Methotrexate works for you.

I can appreciate and sympathize with you on hip and sciatica nerve pain and

will remember about the neurontin helping you...in case it rears its ugly head

again.

I'm doing much better after they took out all the stitches from my eye

yesterday. It has been a rough month. My IOP is 6. The doctor says after having

so

much inflammation for so many years...it may take a couple of months for the

pressure to go up. He would like it to be in the teens, but says if it gets up

to at least 8....he would be happy. I'm thankful for what ever sight he was

able to save. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there won't be any more

complications down the road. Like Kay mentioned, we don't fully realize how

precious

sight is. God knew what He was doing by giving us two eyes...for dimension and

depth and ease in seeing both sides of the world around us.

Best wishes, Connie (granny)

[Guest guest]

Hi Connie Priscilla,

I too, having been taking Enbrel, twice weekly for three months,and

Methotrexate tablets at 15mg per week. My doctor has moved me to 20mg of

Methotrexate by injection as the Enbrel wasn't helping as of yet, I will still

take the Enbrel, he said that they are getting a lot of good results when they

are used together. I also take Vioxx. My confusion about Spondy, I have the Un

diff variety, is that there are a lot of times when I can not distinguish my

Spondy pain from other pain. I have had three laminectomies, last one with a

fusion. I have some new bulges above the fusion. Sometimes when my back acts up

I have the steroidal blocks done which may or may not help. I have had the

Rotator Cuff repaired on my left shoulder and a MRI has shown a tear in some

tendon in the right shoulder, I am to see my surgeon on the 13th. I too, have

tons of pain in my right hip and sometimes in my leg. I doesn't feel like any

Sciatica that I have had in the past. To this point we can not find any cause

for this pain. I also have had fun chasing around some Kidney stones, which I

hope will be lessened with the Alpurinol that I am taking for that. But when the

stones were going nuts, it was more pain in some of the general areas, which

added to the confusion. Of course the real confusion is that at one minute one

area is killing you, then nothing there, but another area is killing you. It's a

good thing that I'm having fun or I might get discouraged. Hey Connie, I am in

your league, as I am a grandfather of 10.

Take care all,

Dean!!!!!!!

_______________________________________________

Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com

The most personalized portal on the Web!

[Guest guest]

Grandpa Dean,

Don't give up yet on the Enbrel/Methotrexate mix. I've read where it may take

up to 6 months for it to kick in. Sometimes, doctors will give higher Enbrel

dosages until it kicks in. Sounds like you need a lot of help here. How long

have you had the spondy? Sometimes it is hard to know what all the aches are

from. I had surgery on my knee a few years ago...the Rheumatologists said it was

from AS, but when the Arthropod went it they found a large tear. Now I'm

having trouble in the other knee, but I believe this time it is all related to

AS.

It goes away with the Humira shots...came back when I was off it for a month.

So go figure? A tear wouldn't go away like that. Kay (on our list) has had

the shoulder problem, like you. I've had multiple flare ups in shoulder....but

no tears or surgery. Hope they are able to give you some relief.

About the grandchildren....I have 13 now (one in the oven will make #14 in

April), but I've decided to wait to change my screen name until all are

finished. TeeHee. That may take awhile as some of my children have not started

their

families yet. I have two great-grandchildren, so far.

Best regards, Connie (granny)

[Guest guest]

Methotrexate works well for me, as long as I take the folic acid with it.

You can't take it if you are trying to have a baby, though, especially if

you are female, but also for males. Otherwise, I've really had no side

effects so far (after about 10 months.)

Ben T-G