Welcome, Semalee!

[Guest guest]

Semalee, we strongly encourage you to " jump in with questions " ! Welcome

to the group! So sorry the RA came back.

All the drugs, including the biologics, can sound scary, but, if you

look at the statistics overall, the dreaded side effects are not common.

Untreated RA has serious implications; RA can be much more than just an

annoying, chronic affliction that impacts the joints. Unchecked

inflammation can have dire systemic consequences.

The biologics (Enbrel (etanercept), Remicade (infliximab), Humira

(adalimumab), and Kineret (anakinra)) have been used by many members of

our group without a problem. Some people didn't find relief with theses

treatments or had adverse reactions to them, but it seems that the

majority have found relief and control of their disease with these

revolutionary therapies.

May I ask how much MTX you are taking and is it orally or by injection?

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Re: [ ] supplements etc

> Hi, my name is Semalee and I am new to this list. I am wondering if I

can just jump in with questions?

>

> I was diagnosed in 84 with JRA and it went into remission when I was

17 and now at 29 it is back, but this time with a vengeance!! After a

year of being on MTX, and Naproxen then Ibruprofen then Vioxx now

Bextra, it is still progressing and I am in a lot of pain most of the

time. My knuckles and wrists are swollen and bumpy, gross looking. My

toes were all that were hurting, now it is my whole feet, ankles and

occasionnally my knees. My doctor wants me to move onto remicade,

humira, or enbrel, because we have otherwise hit a dead end. I am very

scared about these drugs, but also don't want to be in a wheelchair

either. I am wondering what everyone's feelings are on these drugs...

> Thank you very much for your help!

> Semalee