Meds question

cthornley

Hi
I've been on Mtx for many years but had a break to have my son
When I went back on to Mtx it doesn't seem to work as well or the RA is worse either way it doesn't cut it anymore
My Rheumy has been for a while trying to get me to try anti tnf but I am really not keen so on Friday she started me on Ciclosporin with the Mtx
Told hubby ( some of u may know he's a dr....not Rheumy tho) and all he's said on hmmm that's really nasty toxic stuff , which has only really made me feel worse about taking it
Just wondered if anybody is taking or has taken this combo and what there experience has been?
Thanks
Chrissie

skezier

Hi Chrissy,

I am sorry you are not doing as well this time round and maybe this will help bring it under control and your meds can then be adjusted down to keep it held down?

I wonder if your oh's is saying this cus he doesn't like the fact you need it and he can't deal with it as such? Try not to worry cus a few people do have it and hopefully they will be along to reassure you soon.

Hang in there and I do hope the new meds will really help. Cris x

dreamdaisy

I was on cyclosporin (sans meth tho) for quite some time, then we concluded that it was not doing anything for the arthritis but that it was helping me to grow hair where I don't usually have it. I was warned about that and said it was a price worth paying if it helped the arthritis. As it didn't, it wasn't, so I came off it and eventually returned to a less hirsute state, which was nice. DD

julie47

I was on cyclosporin a long time ago but it didn't do any thing for my arthritis, but it was not mixed with mtx so your results may be better.

I am on mtx and leflunomide and everytime i see my gp he tells me how toxic they are.......but what can i do if they are helping?

Try not to let people worry you, that is why we have bloods done to keep an eye on things.
take care
juliepf xx

tillytop

Hi Chrissie

I had Cyclosporin for a while (alongside Hydroxy and Gold if I remember rightlly) and I really don't remember it causing me any specific problems. It was reduced and then stopped after a while because I became over-immunosuppressed and ended up with a nasty bout of shingles but that may well have been due to the combination of meds, rather than the Cyclosporin itself. I think I am right in saying that Cyclosporin is originally an "anti-rejection" drug used after organ transplants which is perhaps why your husband says it's nasty toxic stuff. I reckon these drugs get a bad "reputation" because, like lots of the RA drugs, their original purpose was for something else, for which they are perhaps taken in much higher doses (like Meth being used at higher doses for cancer treatment).

I can't say whether Cyclo worked for me because of the other meds I was taking but, as I say, I don't remember it causing me any probs.

Please try not to worry about taking it Chrissie (easier said than done I know) and really hope you get some benefit.

Love Tilly xxx