Guest guest Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 I am a two-year reader and have learned lots from all the generous participants involved with the support group, for that I thank you. If this has been mentioned, please be patient with me: My rheumatologist is considering adding Enbrel or another drug since the MTX seems to be less effective. No real pain but too much swelling for her liking. The Primary Doc would rather I go back on prednisone. Where can I find info about the positives and negatives of prednisone vs another medication? Thanks so much and have a happy, comfortable day, Suzanne from PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2005 Report Share Posted March 3, 2005 I am a two-year reader and have learned lots from all the generous participants involved with the support group, for that I thank you. If this has been mentioned, please be patient with me: My rheumatologist is considering adding Enbrel or another drug since the MTX seems to be less effective. No real pain but too much swelling for her liking. The Primary Doc would rather I go back on prednisone. Where can I find info about the positives and negatives of prednisone vs another medication? Thanks so much and have a happy, comfortable day, Suzanne from PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Greetings! My name is " ken " , well, " squarehead ken, and I am " the resident nut!.But I have someadvice for you,as I have had very severe R,A. for some time now. Try and stay away from long term use of steroids,like Prednisone! It's only a temporary fix, they are NOT good to take for a long while and can cause damage! I, myself , now have cataracts in my eyes, caused from taking too much Prednizone,and I have to wait 'till they get hard enough to remove! They also are not good for your heart! Asfar as taking " embrel " , it is a very good med!Youhave to inject it, but the needles are so tiny, so thin, you can hardly feel them going into your thigh!I used to take Embrel, but my doc switched meto Humire, because my condition got so much worse...but I remember that embrel was easy to take! If you have trouble affording it, write back to me, I will tell you of a foundation that can pay for it,and they will ship it right to your door! Good luck, and welcome to thisvery loving,caring group! love, squarehead ken Suzanne from PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Greetings! My name is " ken " , well, " squarehead ken, and I am " the resident nut!.But I have someadvice for you,as I have had very severe R,A. for some time now. Try and stay away from long term use of steroids,like Prednisone! It's only a temporary fix, they are NOT good to take for a long while and can cause damage! I, myself , now have cataracts in my eyes, caused from taking too much Prednizone,and I have to wait 'till they get hard enough to remove! They also are not good for your heart! Asfar as taking " embrel " , it is a very good med!Youhave to inject it, but the needles are so tiny, so thin, you can hardly feel them going into your thigh!I used to take Embrel, but my doc switched meto Humire, because my condition got so much worse...but I remember that embrel was easy to take! If you have trouble affording it, write back to me, I will tell you of a foundation that can pay for it,and they will ship it right to your door! Good luck, and welcome to thisvery loving,caring group! love, squarehead ken Suzanne from PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Suzanne, if you are lucky enough to have already weaned yourself off of prednisone, please do not go back on it. For long-term use in RA, the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Your rheumatologist should be able to explain why your primary is mistaken. To your MTX, you can add Azulfidine (sulfasalazine) or Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) or both, or add Enbrel, Remicade, or Humira. I'll post an article on this topic. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Request for advice > > I am a two-year reader and have learned lots from all the generous > participants involved with the support group, for that I thank you. > If this has been mentioned, please be patient with me: > My rheumatologist is considering adding Enbrel or another drug since the > MTX > seems to be less effective. No real pain but too much swelling for her > liking. > The Primary Doc would rather I go back on prednisone. > Where can I find info about the positives and negatives of prednisone vs > another medication? > Thanks so much and have a happy, comfortable day, > Suzanne from PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2005 Report Share Posted March 4, 2005 Suzanne, if you are lucky enough to have already weaned yourself off of prednisone, please do not go back on it. For long-term use in RA, the benefits do not outweigh the risks. Your rheumatologist should be able to explain why your primary is mistaken. To your MTX, you can add Azulfidine (sulfasalazine) or Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) or both, or add Enbrel, Remicade, or Humira. I'll post an article on this topic. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Request for advice > > I am a two-year reader and have learned lots from all the generous > participants involved with the support group, for that I thank you. > If this has been mentioned, please be patient with me: > My rheumatologist is considering adding Enbrel or another drug since the > MTX > seems to be less effective. No real pain but too much swelling for her > liking. > The Primary Doc would rather I go back on prednisone. > Where can I find info about the positives and negatives of prednisone vs > another medication? > Thanks so much and have a happy, comfortable day, > Suzanne from PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 Suzanne, I like your rheumatologist's plan much better than your primary. Enbrel has been great for me. Enbrel can reduce the damage from RA, but prednisone could possibly cause many health problems. Prednisone short term doesn't pose the risks. Of course Enbrel also has side effects to consider. Good luck with your decision. Hopefully after you read up on these meds, you and your doctor can figure out what is best for you. a On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 07:00:46 EST, mom5023@... <mom5023@...> wrote: > I am a two-year reader and have learned lots from all the generous > participants involved with the support group, for that I thank you. > If this has been mentioned, please be patient with me: > My rheumatologist is considering adding Enbrel or another drug since the > MTX > seems to be less effective. No real pain but too much swelling for her > liking. > The Primary Doc would rather I go back on prednisone. > Where can I find info about the positives and negatives of prednisone vs > another medication? > Thanks so much and have a happy, comfortable day, > Suzanne from PA > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2005 Report Share Posted March 5, 2005 Suzanne, I like your rheumatologist's plan much better than your primary. Enbrel has been great for me. Enbrel can reduce the damage from RA, but prednisone could possibly cause many health problems. Prednisone short term doesn't pose the risks. Of course Enbrel also has side effects to consider. Good luck with your decision. Hopefully after you read up on these meds, you and your doctor can figure out what is best for you. a On Fri, 4 Mar 2005 07:00:46 EST, mom5023@... <mom5023@...> wrote: > I am a two-year reader and have learned lots from all the generous > participants involved with the support group, for that I thank you. > If this has been mentioned, please be patient with me: > My rheumatologist is considering adding Enbrel or another drug since the > MTX > seems to be less effective. No real pain but too much swelling for her > liking. > The Primary Doc would rather I go back on prednisone. > Where can I find info about the positives and negatives of prednisone vs > another medication? > Thanks so much and have a happy, comfortable day, > Suzanne from PA > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.