Comments on: FLARE-UPS: How much can one person take? http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/ Advice, support and information on rheumatoid arthritis Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:12:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: S.P. http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-2133 S.P. Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:48:33 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-2133 Thanks! i hope some of them work for you. Thanks! i hope some of them work for you.

]]> By: Mrs. Mordecai http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-1861 Mrs. Mordecai Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:16:22 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-1861 Thanks for the suggestions! I've been having icky reactions to all NSAIDS lately so it's good to see some new ideas. Thanks for the suggestions! I’ve been having icky reactions to all NSAIDS lately so it’s good to see some new ideas.

]]> By: Candy http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-544 Candy Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:55:54 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-544 Good advice. I also take a 5 mg prednisone on any morning when I feel a flare up coming on (about every other week) and it usually does the trick. Good advice. I also take a 5 mg prednisone on any morning when I feel a flare up coming on (about every other week) and it usually does the trick.

]]> By: S.P. http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-183 S.P. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:02:13 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-183 If you are still having flare ups, you may want to play with adding another drug (such as Arava or Imuran) to the mix. or switch up your biologic (try Remicade or Humira). I had flare ups on Enbrel (and I was taking 1.5 doses a week!), but switched to Humira and have just about no flare ups. Don't ever except that this is the best it gets. Talk to your rheumatologist! As for long term effects, they really don't know since most of the biologics haven't been around long enough to show long term effects. Methotrexate can hurt your kidneys and liver and you should be taking plenty of water, little to no alcohol at all, and folic acid (on pill a day). This helps to reduce the chances of having kidney or liver problems, but you should get your liver functions tested every few months to make sure you are doing ok. Can't give you much more info than that. I think there aren't any horrible long term effects other than those from the disease itself. But I'll let you know if i hear anything more! If you are still having flare ups, you may want to play with adding another drug (such as Arava or Imuran) to the mix. or switch up your biologic (try Remicade or Humira). I had flare ups on Enbrel (and I was taking 1.5 doses a week!), but switched to Humira and have just about no flare ups. Don’t ever except that this is the best it gets. Talk to your rheumatologist!

As for long term effects, they really don’t know since most of the biologics haven’t been around long enough to show long term effects.

Methotrexate can hurt your kidneys and liver and you should be taking plenty of water, little to no alcohol at all, and folic acid (on pill a day). This helps to reduce the chances of having kidney or liver problems, but you should get your liver functions tested every few months to make sure you are doing ok.

Can’t give you much more info than that. I think there aren’t any horrible long term effects other than those from the disease itself. But I’ll let you know if i hear anything more!

]]> By: Cindy http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-181 Cindy Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:57:14 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-181 I am 49 years old and have RA. I am taking Embrel methotrxate, and a few others. It has helped with the energy level and fewer flares. I think I will always have flares. At these times it is difficult to do anything. I have had no side effect from the medications. But does anyone know what the long term use side effects are? I am 49 years old and have RA. I am taking Embrel methotrxate, and a few others. It has helped with the energy level and fewer flares. I think I will always have flares. At these times it is difficult to do anything. I have had no side effect from the medications. But does anyone know what the long term use side effects are?

]]> By: Keisha http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-158 Keisha Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:45:53 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-158 I have Polyarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pleurisy, Raynaud's Phenomenon,Infertility,Keratosis Pilaris and also suffer from a few other problems. Was diagnosed with some of that when I was 16. Am now 22. If anyone wants to talk feel free to email me at allens_wife02@hotmail.com but please put RA in the subject line. I have Polyarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis, Pleurisy, Raynaud’s Phenomenon,Infertility,Keratosis Pilaris and also suffer from a few other problems. Was diagnosed with some of that when I was 16. Am now 22. If anyone wants to talk feel free to email me at allens_wife02@hotmail.com but please put RA in the subject line.

]]> By: S.P. http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-11 S.P. Mon, 28 Jan 2008 00:24:48 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-11 I talked to another woman recently who was diagnosed in her thirties (with three kids as well) and went through trying all the meds. She had really bad reactions to all of them. She got sick from methotrexate, rashes from biologics and other problems. I know I am really lucky to have responded well to the medications. I know that a lot of research is being done to be able to come up with new medications for people who medication isn't working for. I talked to one doctor who said they are working to be able to alter medications to cater for each individual. Hopefully they get there soon. Are you able to take anything? The women I know is taking prednisone and said she responded really well to steroid shots (like amazingly well). Good luck with your treatment. I know it must be really hard. I talked to another woman recently who was diagnosed in her thirties (with three kids as well) and went through trying all the meds. She had really bad reactions to all of them. She got sick from methotrexate, rashes from biologics and other problems. I know I am really lucky to have responded well to the medications. I know that a lot of research is being done to be able to come up with new medications for people who medication isn’t working for. I talked to one doctor who said they are working to be able to alter medications to cater for each individual. Hopefully they get there soon. Are you able to take anything? The women I know is taking prednisone and said she responded really well to steroid shots (like amazingly well). Good luck with your treatment. I know it must be really hard.

]]> By: Sheryl Boudreau http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-12 Sheryl Boudreau Sun, 27 Jan 2008 21:43:54 +0000 http://theyoungandthera.com/2008/01/26/how-much-can-one-person-take/#comment-12 I agree with you in a sense here, but do wish to say that I wish I COULD take something. With treating my RA, I've tried 8 meds so far and am allergic to every one of them. It leaves me with Enbrel/Humira to try and my rheumy doesn't want to even risk trying me on them. She's afraid I'll have a major reaction and since they stay in the body so long, it would require hospitalization for up to 4 weeks should I have one. I am happy that you are able to take anything, at least you have some chance of it controlling your disease. I on the other hand am at the point where my options are running out and I was only diagnosed 2 years ago. I'm 32 and have been told I will probably have to "retire" in 3-5 years. With 3 kids that should be interesting. I must cross my fingers (on the days I'm able), and hope for a natural remission. Please remember to be thankful for what you are able to take, there are some of us who can't take anything. Keep your chin up and good luck to everyone with RA that they eventually figure out how to treat this disease without killing us in the process. I agree with you in a sense here, but do wish to say that I wish I COULD take something. With treating my RA, I’ve tried 8 meds so far and am allergic to every one of them. It leaves me with Enbrel/Humira to try and my rheumy doesn’t want to even risk trying me on them. She’s afraid I’ll have a major reaction and since they stay in the body so long, it would require hospitalization for up to 4 weeks should I have one.

I am happy that you are able to take anything, at least you have some chance of it controlling your disease. I on the other hand am at the point where my options are running out and I was only diagnosed 2 years ago. I’m 32 and have been told I will probably have to “retire” in 3-5 years. With 3 kids that should be interesting. I must cross my fingers (on the days I’m able), and hope for a natural remission.

Please remember to be thankful for what you are able to take, there are some of us who can’t take anything. Keep your chin up and good luck to everyone with RA that they eventually figure out how to treat this disease without killing us in the process.

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