Guest guest Posted February 15, 2004 Report Share Posted February 15, 2004 mlw402@... writes: <<I take it without MTX. Many docs recommend the MTX with it to, hopefully, keep your body from building antibodies . This could make the remicade ineffective. Since MTX makes me sick one rheum said go ahead and stop it and just take Remicade alone.>> HI Marti, I was just wondering how you would know if your body is building antibodies to the Remicade. Do they have a blood test to check that or will the Remicade just become ineffective? My rheumy said that if the Zoloft did not help the pain of the fibro then he may consider Remicade as well. I really did not want to take mtx. I started the Zoloft a week ago and it is not yet touching the pain. Maybe it take a while to kick in. Either I want to try Remicade or else wait to see if I can begin a trial with my derm for Enbrel which would be a double dose twice a week since the standard dosage did not work. It cleared the P but did not help at all with the PA. JANET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 16, 2004 Report Share Posted February 16, 2004 > I was just wondering how you would know if your body is building > antibodies > to the Remicade. Do they have a blood test to check that or will > the Remicade > just become ineffective? My rheumy said that if the Zoloft did > not help the pain of the fibro Hi Janet, As far as I know there is no blood test to check for antibodies to the remicade. It's a good question. In any case the remicade would become ineffective as our bodies built up immunity to it. Most of what I've read suggests a tricyclic antidepressant for fibro pain. I'm not sure why your doc chose zoloft for you but I'm sure he had a good reason. Mayo Doc recommended Effexor to me for it. Good luck...I know you have been waiting a long time for a med that will help you! Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 17, 2004 Report Share Posted February 17, 2004 mlw402@... writes: <<Most of what I've read suggests a tricyclic antidepressant for fibro pain. I'm not sure why your doc chose zoloft for you but I'm sure he had a good reason. Mayo Doc recommended Effexor to me for it.>> I have been taking Zoloft for a week and a half. Do you know when it is supposed to help with the pain? I am really upset because I walked from one end of the mall today to the other and was afraid that I would not make it back. My ankles and knees were unbearable. Personally, I don't think it is fibro and don't understand why my rheumy just tried Enbrel and nothing else. Like you said, I think it is time to find a new doctor. Janet JANET Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 18, 2004 Report Share Posted February 18, 2004 <<Do you know when it is supposed to help with the pain? I am really upset because I walked from one end of the mall today to the other and was afraid that I would not make it back. >> Hi Janet, That's an awful feeling to get stuck...when you just can't go anymore. I once got to the back of a K-Mart store and couldn't move anymore to get back to my car. I sat down in some of Martha Stuart's lawn and patio furniture...it was the only thing available...and fairly comfortable too. The manager kept asking me if he could help me and finally asked if I was interested in BUYing any furniture. LOL! I don't think you are supposed to sit in the displays. I'm guessing it would take 10 days to 2 weeks for you to see a change in pain level with the zoloft and then it could be subtle. Sounds like you have PA to me too. good luck, Marti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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