re DMARDS

[Guest guest]

Hi

Don't let what happened to me happen to you. I was complaining of

hip pain for years and orthopedic doctors kept brushing me off,

because at first Aleve controlled the pain and I only limped

intermittently. It wasn't until I could not walk at all without

using two canes to assist, and had severe LS back pain before the

light finally went on and I was referred to rheumatology (at the

time I had an HMO and couldn't see a specialist without

referral....the problem was getting my THEN internist to GIVE me a

referral to a rheumatologist instead of always sending me to Ortho.)

The rheumatologist diagnosed me with psoriatic spondyloarthropathy

and started me on Methotrexate right away. For me, the Methotrexate

was a miracle drug; within 2-3 months I was walking again and able

to return to work full-time....however the damage had already been

done; I had enough damage to my hip to need a replacement at that

point, but I kept putting it off, afraid I'd be out of work too long

and stuff, plus I was only 44 at the time. The hip continued to

slowly get worse and ultimately I needed to use a cane again, and I

began to start showing joint damage in my feet, hands, ankles, and

right wrist a couple years ago, so Enbrel was added to the

Methotrexate at that point.

Did well until I had to go off the Enbrel and Methotrexate this past

summer for nearly 2 months while I finally had that damaged hip

replaced. My hip feels great now.....but my lumbosacral spine, feet,

hands, ankles, and right wrist have not been the same since then,

although I have restarted the meds. We're hoping they will kick back

in, but if not, we may be talking a change to either Humira or

Remicade.

The point is, most reputable rheumatologists WILL treat PA

aggressively once diagnosed, even if there doesn't seem to be much

damage, in order to PREVENT the damage from occurring, or at least,

to slow the progression of the disease. I'm just sorry that my

internist at the time didn't refer me to rheumatology WAY earlier;

maybe if I'd been treated with the medications way back when, I

wouldn't have needed the hip replacement just yet.

Best wishes to you!

Wanda