Treatment

[Guest guest]

We are all different in symptoms and treatments, but mtx has done wonders for

me. I've had PA 4 yrs now am 67, on pred. 10mg. for flare then down to 2

again, on celebrex 2x/day, folic acid, plaquinil and activity. Have done

real well except wt gain, hair growth and other things I can get fixed. That

was a good combo for me. My Rheu. wanted me to try enbrel 2x/wk to get off

pred, and cut down on others. I have taken it 5 wks now and stopped for this

wk. as my arms are all broken out from? sun reaction. Any way I had no

unpleasant reaction to mtx, just keep track of freq blood work. Day we take

mtx we should drink max water to help get it diluted through our organs.

Good luck. Betty in VA

moderator note: I like it that blood work isn't necessary while on Enbrel. PatB

[Guest guest]

<davids@...> wrote:

Hi all,

I know you have all probably been down this path before, but (cliche) I am at

the crossroads. I am currently taking 200mg Celebrex and 10mg prednisone daily.

I take Ibuprophen for pain. My rheumy suggested that I go away and find out

about MTX before he prescribes it (if I want it) on my next visit on 5

But do I need MTX?

,

Not many of us are doctors, so we can only give you our opinions. I would

say,YES, to your question. It sounds like to me you are not getting what you

need to have a good quality of life.

I don't have PA in the sternum, but those that do, tell us it is very painful. I

have PA in knees,ankles, toes,feet, fingers and wrists. I also have it in my

lower spine. I am not on MTX now but took it three years for P. I didn't notice

any change in the PA while on it. My P cleared up somewhat. I still had the

pain. However, I was taking it orally so that might have caused the difference

for me.

Bless Gillian's heart for telling me about Evening Primrose Oil. I've been on it

3 months now and I am almost pain free all day. I can get out of bed without

waiting ten minutes to take that first step. I still hurt when standing too long

or walking a lot shopping. But basically I am feeling better than I have in

years. It is not only helping my PA but other systems in my body that have not

worked properly in years. I only take Naproxen for the PA now. I could hardly

walk back in the summer.

Whatever your decision, I wish you well. Have a better day tomorrow.

Donna in nippy Michigan.

[Guest guest]

,

I was on the MTX for several months. It made my joints feel wonderful, but it didn't improve the swelling much. But at least it made my job a little easier. I had to quit taking it. My hemoglobin dropped, my hair thinned in leaps and bounds, and then I got a sinus infection that no antibiotic would get rid of. I was on antibiotics from Easter until Sept when they finally had to do surgery to remove an abcess. My doc tells me that the Celebrex and the like aren't enough, if any inflammation persists then the joints can deform. I just now started on Arava 3 days ago. My case with the MTX was NOT typical, I have horrible allergies and horrible sinuses without the MTX, the MTX just worsened it all.

Rae

[ ] Treatment

Hi all, I know you have all probably been down this path before, but (cliche) I am at the crossroads. I am currently taking 200mg Celebrex and 10mg prednisone daily. I take Ibuprophen for pain. My rheumy suggested that I go away and find out about MTX before he prescribes it (if I want it) on my next visit on 5 October. I've found out enough about MTX to know that I will take it. However, I read your mails, and feel that my PA is not as bad as that of others. Without meds, I can't move, let alone work. But with Celebrex and Ibuprophen, I can move, but am VERY fatigued. With the prednisone added, I've gained 3 kilograms (6.6 pounds for the unconverted!) in three weeks, and am even more tired. I don't like the prednisone. My P is only on my scalp and forehead, one patch on my neck, and another on my side. Luckily, insurance companies don't determine health care in Australia, doctors and the Government do. If a drug is too expensive, your doctor simply gets a special approval to prescribe at the normal (A$21-23) rate. My question is, what will MTX do for me? I have (according to my rheumy) the worst arthritis in my sternum that he has ever seen. Because it is not a joint, it is not that obvious, yet I have had constant headaches for over six months because of it. I have PA in my fingers, wrists, shoulders, toes, ankles and hips. But do I need MTX? I am interested to see that some of you in the US are now on benefits because of the PA. There's a famous old epitaph "See, I Told You I Was Sick"!!!! How do we make the world believe????? Regards, in the Olympic City Please visit our new web page at:http://www.wpunj.edu/icip/paThis past year had moderated a chat on arthritis at www.about.com on Thursday evenings and hopes to start up doing so again soon- we will keep you posted! Meanwhile, if anyone would like to start a weekly chat on egroups, please contact or . Thanks

[Guest guest]

>My question is, what will MTX do for me? I have (according to my

>rheumy) the worst arthritis in my sternum that he has ever seen.

>Because it is not a joint, it is not that obvious, yet I have had

>constant headaches for over six months because of it. I have PA in

>my fingers, wrists, shoulders, toes, ankles and hips. But do I need

MTX?

>

> Regards,

> in the Olympic City

Hi ,

Yes, we have all traveled down one road or the other to attempt to

live with and hopefully overcome this condition called PA.

My PA began in 1994 and I noticed it while I was coaching my son's

soccer team. My lower back was hurting in the morning and finally

subsided later in the day. As many know, you don't have to have much

psoriasis to have PA. Some have more some have very little. I didn't

and still don't have too much P.

Since 1994, I tried a variety of anti-inflammatory meds with a

varying degree of success. I took a small dose of Prednisone (5 mg)

at the beginning but weaned myself off it, because it's not

considered very good over an extended period of time. I even tried

antibiotics, which worked well for almost a year.

In the middle of 1998, I experienced what I guess is considered a

flare in my condition. My joints really began to hurt pretty bad and

new joints in my fingers and toes were affected. I traveled to the

NIH (National Institutes of Health) outside of Washington D.C. to get

a review of my condition and perhaps enter a trial. One doctor told

me flat out that if I didn't take a more aggressive stand in treating

my PA I could wind up pretty crippled. Well, that kind of scared me

into my current course of taking more powerful medications to turn my

PA around.

That brings me back to your question: " what will MTX do for me " ? I

started taking MTX orally (up to 20 mg) once per week at the end of

1998. Emotionally I didn't want to take it, maybe because my mother

died in her mid thirties from liver disease, which is a possible side

effect from taking MTX. For me, it took a while before I noticed a

difference in how I felt. I'd say it was about three months before I

felt MTX was doing me any good. My joint pain decreased and my

condition stopped progressing. MTX is supposed to slow down or

possibly stop joint deterioration. That's very important!

Even though the MTX was helping me quite a bit, I still had a

constant low level of joint pain and as many of us have, fatigue.

The next big milestone for me was starting with the twice-weekly

Enbrel injections this past May. The Enbrel in combination with the

MTX have made me almost normal. My pain is just about gone and my

energy level has gone way up. Although Enbrel has not worked for

everyone with PA in our group, it has worked very well for me along

with the MTX. I'm also taking Celebrex but I don't think I really

need it any longer.

Do you need MTX ? Well if your PA is progressing and your

quality of life is not what you are willing to tolerate, I'd say try

the MTX for a number of months to see what it will do. I'd also

recommend eventually looking to add a drug like Enbrel, which might

give your PA a knock out punch when combined with MTX.

Well this is only, as we say in the States, my two cents of advice to

you.

Wishing you the best from one to another.

Bruce

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 9/27/00 12:56:13 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

davids@... writes:

<< My question is, what will MTX do for me? I have (according to my rheumy)

the worst arthritis in my sternum that he has ever seen >>

Hi david: Wow loaded question....I am a " newbie " on mtx...in my 9th week of

taking it and I can tell you that I also have a stubborn case of PA. MY P is

NOT that bad...tiny spots here & there and some on my scalp (the worse area),

but the PA has been horrible. If we reduce the prednisone from 15 a day to

even 12.5, I have trouble walking...but when winter is over we are going to

fight that battle again. After 8 weeks, I think the MTX is making me better

able to walk. I can do stairs better. I have pain & swelling in my ankles

knees and the hands and wrists seem to be going down hill. BUT I also have

NOT given myself a rest from a stress filled job and I KNOW I need to do that

here soon...As soon as I get 3.5 million dollars in A/R under control - it's

a new Job (June) so my performance is " on the line " at the moment. I feel

that if I could rest a bit ALONG with being on the MTX I would see better

improvement.

Basically, yes the MTX is helping me to be mobile. I had to be put on Pepcid

for the intestinal side affects and that helped with that. I am a type A

personality who " keeps on going " (Energizer bunny)...probably until I drop..

and I Know that's not good for these two diseases...so I tell myself as soon

as I prove myself on the job...I will REST...and the MTX will do BETTER for

me. But for now, it's doing OK. Your RD will build you up slowly on it (I

think) so you won't notice an improvement immediately but gradually.

I am sorry if I rambled on OT stuff, but job & job stress are connected with

recovery and letting the meds work....at least I think so. I love my job and

the one I came from....was a boss who basically said ... " you're not healthy

anyway so it's good you're leaving " ... that was before we had a definitive PA

diagosis and I was very hurt by it...the new job knows about it and are very

supportive.

Bottom line...it may be time for you to try MTX....

, Monroe, MI

[Guest guest]

try the methotrexate. it usually helps everyone . anyway if you dont like it

you can always stpo taking it . i usually take a pepcid one hour before and

i eat something . don't takeit on an empty stomack. trust me it will get you

through the winter months with a lot less pain .

good luck cathy from mass

[Guest guest]

Raf , Good Morning..Glad to know you will be getting treatment in January.I know you find some comfort in the decision your Dr. made..Remember we are here for you when you begin treatment..Please listen to this..On your next apptointment ask your Dr. for antidepressants as you made need them during treatment..That is very important..Almost everyone on treatment does take them ok..It is not uncommon..

[Guest guest]

So you mean i finally gave good advice on treatment???? HOORA fo rme..Usually I need it..

[Guest guest]

GOOD MORNING DIANE!!!!! I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!!! I'm sure the rest of us have too..Yes unfortunately I have behaved..Ask Dave he'll tell ya..I haven't heard from many others lately....They must be caught up with Christmas...It sure is good to see you on line..Now maybe things will get back to normal..I know your heart is heavy right now with your loss but we are all here for you...

[Guest guest]

Floyd isn't getting decorated or anything else from me girl!!!!

[Guest guest]

It helps to at least have a plan, doesn't it? They are

achieving pretty good results with the new tx and we

expect they will find better and less troublesome

treatments with time. We seem to have time on our side

as the disease progresses rather slowly. Good luck.

Most of us have type 1a or 1b which are a little more

difficult to treat, if you have a type 2 or 3 you may

have a shorter treatment schedule. -dz-

--- rafheule <rafheule@...> wrote:

> Goodmorning,

>

> Rhis morning I went to see the doctor. We decided to

> start the

> treatment. He did the last bloodtest to look for the

> type and we'll

> start in january next year.

> Here in Belgium the treatment is sponsored for a

> part by the

> governement and for another part by Roche a swiss

> company.

> I also should say that I feel more quiet now that I

> know what's going

> to happen.

> I wish a very good day to everybody.

>

> Raf

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Good point. I read from many people that were not put

on antideppressants until they started suffering from

depression, they expressed that they wished they would

have gone on them sooner. The medication takes a

couple of weeks to start working, so it is better

sooner than later. -dz-

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> Raf , Good Morning..Glad to know you will be getting

> treatment in January.I

> know you find some comfort in the decision your Dr.

> made..Remember we are

> here for you when you begin treatment..Please listen

> to this..On your next

> apptointment ask your Dr. for antidepressants as you

> made need them during

> treatment..That is very important..Almost everyone

> on treatment does take

> them ok..It is not uncommon..

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I miss you guys!!!!! Been really hurting inside over losing my

buddy.... Haven't even started to think about Christmas..... am going to

try to get out some today, and get the Grandkids something. I got my

decorations up and all my animated figures out...

Raf,

I just know you will do well on treatment when you start.... A New

Year and a new you.... ;o It takes time, but most people do end up

undetected....I will pray that you will giving us a great report some

time next year.

Jan. Are you behaving???????? -dz- , Dennis, , Vicky and the whole

gang will let me know...hahahaha

I had to wipe out a lot of e-mail cause I couldn't catch up.... Wasn't

into it..... Now I am going to try really hard to pick myself up and

move ahead....Love you guys!!!!!!

Give me a hepper kick in the ass to get me motivated. Those who wear

boots can get out of the line.... ;o

Angel Hugs,

Diane

May Rainbow Dreams Color Your World With Love, Hope, Peace & Unity

[Guest guest]

Thanks Jan!!!!!! I have missed you too!!!! Did you go out and cut down

your tree????? Or did you decorate Floyd????? ;o Miss you

girl............

Angel Hugs,

Diane

May Rainbow Dreams Color Your World With Love, Hope, Peace & Unity

[Guest guest]

I take it that Floyd is not keeping his word to you.... My heart goes

out to you Jan.... I also am trying to cope with the same type of

situation!!!!! We will come out on top!!!!!!!

Angel Hugs,

Diane

May Rainbow Dreams Color Your World With Love, Hope, Peace & Unity

[Guest guest]

Hi Raf

Looks like things are going to work out for you.

[ ] treatment

> Goodmorning,

>

> Rhis morning I went to see the doctor. We decided to start the

> treatment. He did the last bloodtest to look for the type and we'll

> start in january next year.

> Here in Belgium the treatment is sponsored for a part by the

> governement and for another part by Roche a swiss company.

> I also should say that I feel more quiet now that I know what's going

> to happen.

> I wish a very good day to everybody.

>

> Raf

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well I do beleive that is one of the nicest compliments you ever gave me Dave..Thanks I needed that this morning..But as you said a slittle spice is always nice!!! You all ready for some?? I am!!

[Guest guest]

I'll plug him in standing in a damn puddle if he don't straighten up...LOL...Just joking you guys...Ok so I have mean thoughts when he ticks me off..who doesn't!!!

[Guest guest]

You give lots of good input. We all need a little,

too. -dz-

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> So you mean i finally gave good advice on

> treatment???? HOORA fo rme..Usually

> I need it..

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Just take care of yourself and know we are praying for

healing (emotional as well as physical). Hope your

Christmas season improves. -dz-

--- diane214@... wrote:

> Hi Everyone,

> I miss you guys!!!!! Been really hurting inside

> over losing my

> buddy.... Haven't even started to think about

> Christmas..... am going to

> try to get out some today, and get the Grandkids

> something. I got my

> decorations up and all my animated figures out...

>

> Raf,

> I just know you will do well on treatment when you

> start.... A New

> Year and a new you.... ;o It takes time, but most

> people do end up

> undetected....I will pray that you will giving us a

> great report some

> time next year.

>

> Jan. Are you behaving???????? -dz- , Dennis, ,

> Vicky and the whole

> gang will let me know...hahahaha

>

> I had to wipe out a lot of e-mail cause I couldn't

> catch up.... Wasn't

> into it..... Now I am going to try really hard to

> pick myself up and

> move ahead....Love you guys!!!!!!

> Give me a hepper kick in the ass to get me

> motivated. Those who wear

> boots can get out of the line.... ;o

>

> Angel Hugs,

> Diane

>

> May Rainbow Dreams Color Your World With Love, Hope,

> Peace & Unity

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Yes, Jan has been behaving (for her). We don't want

too much good behavior though, a little spice is

always welcome. She misses your bad influence.

-dz-

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> GOOD MORNING DIANE!!!!! I HAVE MISSED YOU!!!!!!

> I'm sure the rest of us

> have too..Yes unfortunately I have behaved..Ask Dave

> he'll tell ya..I haven't

> heard from many others lately....They must be caught

> up with Christmas...It

> sure is good to see you on line..Now maybe things

> will get back to normal..I

> know your heart is heavy right now with your loss

> but we are all here for

> you...

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Thanks for that picture, Diane... I can just see it

happening too... Just stand back, Jan, before you plug

him in... -dz-

--- diane214@... wrote:

> Thanks Jan!!!!!! I have missed you too!!!! Did you

> go out and cut down

> your tree????? Or did you decorate Floyd????? ;o

> Miss you

> girl............

>

> Angel Hugs,

> Diane

>

> May Rainbow Dreams Color Your World With Love, Hope,

> Peace & Unity

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I wouldn't want to bet against either one of you!

Fight the good fight! -dz-

--- diane214@... wrote:

> I take it that Floyd is not keeping his word to

> you.... My heart goes

> out to you Jan.... I also am trying to cope with the

> same type of

> situation!!!!! We will come out on top!!!!!!!

>

> Angel Hugs,

> Diane

>

> May Rainbow Dreams Color Your World With Love, Hope,

> Peace & Unity

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I'm ready. I need to get into the spirit of the

holidays. It seems a little slow in coming this year.

I think I'm going to sneak a little time at work today

and order a couple of gifts over the net for my

younger nieces and nephews. It's handy, because they

ship it right where you want it to go. The older ones

are all getting cash. We still don't have any snow on

the ground, although I've been scraping my windows the

past few mornings. -dz-

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> Well I do beleive that is one of the nicest

> compliments you ever gave me

> Dave..Thanks I needed that this morning..But as you

> said a slittle spice is

> always nice!!! You all ready for some?? I am!!

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Vent! We're here to listen. Better to let it out, then

let it build up and explode. We really don't want to

see Floyd wrapped in christmas lights and sparking.

But the picture is a little humorous... -dz-

--- Jannewilms42@... wrote:

> I'll plug him in standing in a damn puddle if he

> don't straighten

> up...LOL...Just joking you guys...Ok so I have mean

> thoughts when he ticks me

> off..who doesn't!!!

>

__________________________________________________