do you take MTX as well as biological treatments?
Wonkylegs
Member Posts: 3,504
HI
just trying to get my facts straight for my decision-making regarding future treatment.
Have read on the NICE documentation that adalimumab, etanercept & infliximab are usually given AS WELL AS MTX.
I had thought that one of these would replace the MTX - have any of you moved from MTX & Leflunomide combo onto biological drugs and did you keep just the MTX, both MTX & leflunomide, or did you not keep on with MTX?
just wondered what seems to be people's experiences ....... it's so confusing!!!!
thanks
wonky
just trying to get my facts straight for my decision-making regarding future treatment.
Have read on the NICE documentation that adalimumab, etanercept & infliximab are usually given AS WELL AS MTX.
I had thought that one of these would replace the MTX - have any of you moved from MTX & Leflunomide combo onto biological drugs and did you keep just the MTX, both MTX & leflunomide, or did you not keep on with MTX?
just wondered what seems to be people's experiences ....... it's so confusing!!!!
thanks
wonky
0
Comments
-
I take Humira and MTX. I also take hydroxychloroquine and prednisolone. Befoe I went onto injectionable MTX I was on azathioprine.
If you can, they like you to be on MTX as well as an anti-TNF. If for any reason you can't take MTX (I couldn't take the tablets and injections weren't available) then you get another DMARD and the Anti-TNF. I take 2 DMARDs and an anti-TNF. It may be that they keep you on both the MTX and the leflunomide if neither upset you and they are both doing something.0 -
Hi Wonky,
Can't help you but just dropping you in a big ((((((( ))))))) and hope it will all make sense to you...... Me I know I'm heading for at least an add in so I shall keep watching to see if I can understand any of it actuallyLuv Cris, oh and even here he sends his very best behaved slurps........ xx
0 -
Hi
I take Enbrel and MTX together. Before that i took inflixamab and MTX. I thought they preferred it if you continued taking MTX if you can tolerate it. I don't think you have to though. The good news is my MTX dose is much lower now than it was when i took it on its own without anti TNF.
Good luck with your decision!0 -
thanks a lot
it is tough knowing what to do for the best, but I am definitely going to need to increase the MTX from 15mg to 17.5mg, but we know that any higher won't work with the Leflunomide, but it is helping more than the higher dose of MTX on its own.
hence the need to add in something else it seems,
I just hadn't realised that they would want to continue the MTX, but in a way that makes my decision easier .... I'd opt for an injection rather than an infusion as I would already be going for an injection at the surgery anyway, as my practice nurse does the MTX injection for me as I wimped out a while ago!
Just wondering .... can you take the MTX & the anti-tnf drugs on the same day if you injecting both? Might have to do one myself if not!
thanks again
Wonky0 -
Yes you can inject on the same day. My Humira goes into my thigh every two weeks and the MTX goes into my tummy every week. Not had any problems yet!
I think it's just like taking a handful pill at breakfast.0 -
I tried to replace mtx with Humira a few years ago as I didn't like the thought of taking too many meds. :shock:
I found that for me mtx didn't work on it's own and the Humira had no effect on its own either. :x However, when I took them both my joints significantly improved within a couple of months.My specialist nurse told me that the anti TNFs tend to work better with mtx.
Poppy x0 -
poppy30 wrote:I tried to replace mtx with Humira a few years ago as I didn't like the thought of taking too many meds. :shock:
I found that for me mtx didn't work on it's own and the Humira had no effect on its own either. :x However, when I took them both my joints significantly improved within a couple of months.My specialist nurse told me that the anti TNFs tend to work better with mtx.
Poppy x
HI POppy & Scattered,
thanks to you both for such positive news
I am starting to feel that it is not such a bad thing that I might need to add these in ....... I know that I am lucky to be given the opportunity ... others in the past didn't have the choices of meds that we do have today.
Been to see OT today and feeling soooooooooooooooo positive for a change
thanks a lot
Wonky0 -
Hi
I take enbrel as well as mtx both injections, I was also told that the anti=tnf works better with mtx thrown in. I have another DMARD, sulphasalazine, pred and painkillers. Have had it since October, but I don't think it's working.
Janie0 -
Wonkylegs wrote:HI
just trying to get my facts straight for my decision-making regarding future treatment.
Have read on the NICE documentation that adalimumab, etanercept & infliximab are usually given AS WELL AS MTX.
I had thought that one of these would replace the MTX - have any of you moved from MTX & Leflunomide combo onto biological drugs and did you keep just the MTX, both MTX & leflunomide, or did you not keep on with MTX?
just wondered what seems to be people's experiences ....... it's so confusing!!!!
thanks
wonky
hope this help's laurence0 -
Hi
I tried Enbrel with MTX, plus all my other meds - RA was good and actaully had energy, that lasted for 4 months and then I reacted to the Enbrel - re-challenged and had the same problems (stomache problems). Was then started on Humira last July and RA was ok - did not seem as effective as the Enbrel, but, unfortunately now having problems which they think could be Humira related so it has been stopped!!! They want me to have a re-challenge but I am reluctant, and reluctant to try anything else new.
My MTX was not reduced during any of this time - I continue to inject that and have been fortunate to not have side effects with it.
Am off work at the mo getting over the side effects of the Humira - hopefully will feel better soon. Work say they understand but I don't think they actually mean it - feel bad about being off - especially as I had time off just before Christmas with a heavy cold!! Can't seem to win....
Hazel x0 -
Hi,
I have taken Infliximab, Enbrel and now Humira and always had MTX aswell. I was told it supports the biologic meds by generally supressing the immune system and stopping your body reacting to the biologics (especially with infliximab which is made of mouse proteins or something). I am now injecting MTX (20mg) as well as Humira weekly because MTX tablets make me too sick and the Humira isn't working as well as it was. My Consultant told me it's taking a risk to take Humira weekly as not licensed to be used that way but if it helps it will be worth it...
KT0 -
scottishlass wrote:Hiya wonky,im on both MTX and Enbrel--I inject the MTX on a Wed and the Enbrel on a Thursday...this combo is working well,ive had the sulfasalazine discontinued and my MTX reduced from 25mg inj to 15mg inj...good luck with your new treatment.
Hi scottishlass - good to hear from you!
I am glad that your treatment is working well for you ..... doubly good to read all these positive posts about the biological treatments. I suppose it is just scary because it is new and different.
I'm to ring rheumy nurse on Wednesday and then i WILL :oops: have to pick up some 17.5 ml syringes from a local hospital for a few weeks, until we are sure that I can take the increase, then they will want me to be on the higher dose for a while to see if it helps. Fortunately I am seeing an OT at the mo and getting help, otherwise I think I would be wanting to slip quietly into a corner and go quietly mad. (may already be a bit mad)
hope to see you posting agian.
take care
WOnky0
Categories
- All Categories
- 12.3K Our Community
- 9.8K Living with arthritis
- 786 Chat to our Helpline Team
- 416 Coffee Lounge
- 26 Food and Diet
- 226 Work and financial support
- 6 Want to Get Involved?
- 175 Hints and Tips
- 402 Young people's community
- 12 Parents of Child with Arthritis
- 39 My Triumphs
- 129 Let's Move
- 33 Sports and Hobbies
- 245 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 21 How to use your online community
- 37 Community Feedback and ideas