Question

[Guest guest]

Happy new year group! I have a question concerning my rheumy's new

notion on my treatment. He is so happy that my P is better that he

thinks we should stop the Enbrel and just continue with the MTX. I

would rather quit the MTX than the Enbrel, but he was rather adamant

about it. We tend to disagree often on my treatment anyway. I have

had a bunch of bad side effects from the MTX, but he says they are not

related. I'm just wondering if the drug co. that makes MTX gives

kickbacks to the docs that prescribe it. Anybody else this

skeptical? And what do you all think about the drug changes? MTX or

Enbrel? Which would you choose?

Love & Kisses to all!

Sib

[Editor's Note: The patent on MTX has already run out so there really isn't

enough money in MTX to make it worthwhile to bribe a rheumy. I think the drug

companies do their raping and pillaging over price gouging on the newer drugs.

It is odd, however, that your rheumy wants to stop Enbrel since Enbrel is more

likely to control your P than MTX. I suspect that your rheumy has had 20+ years

of experience working with MTX vs. only a few with Enbrel and he is just more

comfortable with this much older treatment option. I would ask your rheumy to

explain exactly why he favors stopping one over the other. I would also print

out a lot of internet articles about the side effects of MTX and ask why he

thinks you are the only person on the planet not to have MTX side effects. It

is your body and your treatment and you have every right to understand fully the

options and treatment your doctor recommends. As to choosing between the two -

Enbrel's own website strongly recommends that Enbrel be taken WITH MTX since the

two together have been shown to be more effective than either drug used as a

monotherapy. Show that to the doctor, too, then look for a new doctor. Kathy

F.]