Re: Cez's last post

nanasue

In Cez's last post she says that her doc is considering anti-tnf treatment because her ESR level won't go below 21 despite 20mg MTX and also a lot of people have said their docs have said six months on MTX, I'm a bit confused, I've been on MTX for almost 6 years (at 20mg now and for last year) my ESR has never been below 54 in all this time and is more usually in the 60's, last blood test was 84 and I've just had another steroid injection which seems to be the only thing that really works for me. The highest it's ever been is 121. I just wanted to know if it unusual to have such high levels all the time or is she just lucky? I was offered anti-tnf 6 months ago but was worried about an even lower immune resistance as I usually get about 3 colds every winter that always turn into chest infections requiring anti-biotics which come with their own problems, also the last couple of years I've been prone to getting bouts of sickness and diahorea, never having had this sort of problem before.As I've got 10 grandchildren under 10 it's hard to avoid catching things as I see them a lot and sometimes you've caught something before you know they're ill, if I know they're ill then I do stay away. Sorry for the long post but I'm confused now and don't really know where to go from here.

Sue x

dreamdaisy

I think it all comes down to the various and and varied preferences of the doctors who are working with us. My CRP and ESR figures were high for years and years, including the times I was on infliximab and enbrel, the only drug that has reduced them to minimal figures is the humira, so I guess that is a good thing. Having said that, I have a lovely bubble of fluid on the outside of my right ankle joint, it's a doozy!

The norms of treatment fluctuate wildly from area to area, doctor to doctor and patient responses to the varying treatments fluctuate too. As for the anti TNF drugs I would say go for it. The earlier one is given the opportunity the better the help they can offer but you never know until you try. I control my exposure to infection as much as I can - often at some expense as it means I cannot work if my clients go down with bugs but it saves me from the hassle of being ill. If I do catch a sniffle or whatever I follow my hospital's guidelines and ditch the immuno-suppressants for a week, sometimes two in the case of the meth, and that usually sorts me out. I wish you well. DD

frogmorton

Sue

l think each of us is individual and also each of the doctors and their individual policies in each area too.

Some people's levels never get low 'enough', but they feel ok so they should be able to chooes to remain on tye meds they are on.

Others get low levels but are in agony :sad:

If you feel ok and are managing you have teh right to stay as you are.

Love

Toni xx