RE: Psoriatic Arthritis: long term drug use

[Guest guest]

Okay, so I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on biologics versus mtx....

I realize the biologics are almost always given with mtx as the combination is

the best, but they don't have to be and I have been thinking about trying to

exist on just one once (cross my fingers) this flare subsides. I was heading

towards the Remicade, as it so far has been a miracle drug for me (even without

the mtx ~ as I wasn't taking it when I recieved the very first treatment), but

the doctor feels if I try to make it on just one, he would recomend (although

would agree to my wishes) only because of it's proven track record (people have

been taking this drug for years and years and so they sort of know what to

expect after long term use), with the biologics, they don't yet. It isn't as if

they expect there to be issues, but they simply don't have the data yet...

Thoughts??

(idaho)

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My Rhuemy took me off the MTX becuase it wasn't helping much and left

me on just enbrel. After stopping the MTX my psorisis came back and

pain got worse. Now as you know, he is putting me on the remicade. I

asked him about the MTX and he said he doesn't want to restart it. He

wants to see the results of the remicade alone. I know personally, if

i get good results with just the remicade than I don't want to add

another drug to the list of meds I already take. I am glad you have a

Rhuemy who will work with your wishes.

Gentle Hugs

Pat

>

> Okay, so I'm wondering what everyone's thoughts are on biologics

versus mtx....

>

> I realize the biologics are almost always given with mtx as the

combination is the best, but they don't have to be and I have been

thinking about trying to exist on just one once (cross my fingers)

this flare subsides. I was heading towards the Remicade, as it so

far has been a miracle drug for me (even without the mtx ~ as I

wasn't taking it when I recieved the very first treatment), but the

doctor feels if I try to make it on just one, he would recomend

(although would agree to my wishes) only because of it's proven track

record (people have been taking this drug for years and years and so

they sort of know what to expect after long term use), with the

biologics, they don't yet. It isn't as if they expect there to be

issues, but they simply don't have the data yet...

>

> Thoughts??

>

> (idaho)

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am just trying to keep an open mind and do what my rheumy suggests. Having

said that, since I started Enbrel two weeks ago, they have cut my weekly MTX

dose from 25mg to 20mg and it will drop by another 5mg in another two weeks

and the lower it goes the happier I will be so maybe my mind isn't THAT open

after all. lol.

Hope you had a good holiday . By the way, I am impressed that you can

still cross your fingers. lol

Take care.