Drugs!

emsjane

Hi, I'm seeing my Rheumy on Friday. I was on Methotrexate but didn't feel it was working so came off it in November. Since March I've had a flare up and Arthur been bad!!

I was also on Hydroxychloroquine but I came off that as it was upsetting my stomach, bloated abdomen!

All NSAIDS upset my tummy so I couldn't take them, now it seems most of the Arthur drugs upset your tummy too!!! It's frustrating. Does anyone know a drug that doesn't cause stomach pain?

I've got Seronegitive Arthur.

toady

Hi emsjane, speaking personally I have had no problems with enbrel, one of the anti-tnfs. You do have to have failed to improve on at least 2 DMARDS such as methotrexate etc before you will be considered for an anti-tnf, I had tried hydroxychloroquine as well as methotrexate and that counted as my 2.

Has your consultant discussed anti-tnfs with you? Enbrel has been more effective for me than methotrexate was (I'm seronegative too), and no gastric side-effects. I do have slight digestive problems but they aren't related to the enbrel & it certainly hasn't made them worse. Another thing to consider is injectable methotrexate, if you are currently on tablets, it is pretty generally thought to be better as it's not going through your gut etc. If you are already on injectable methotrexate and it isn't controlling your flares then anti-tnf may be a possible next option but that depends on your consultant and whether you would satisfy all the criteria.

Sorry you are having such problems with whatever you try, upset stomach is no fun Good luck with your appointment on Friday, let us know what happens. toady.

dreamdaisy

Am I right in thinking that you've only tried meth and hydroxy so far? There are other meds out there which may help (I've had sulph, leflunomide, cyclosporin, celebrex, nap and diclofenac) - usually you have to try some other combinations before the big (and very expensive) guns of anti TNFs are brought in to play. Have you thought about meth injections? They by-pass the digestion system and for many that can make a positive difference.

I have learned over the years that the meds do help but not in the way that I would like. It's not easy, is it? I wish you well. DD

emsjane

I'm really nervous about going on Enbrel/Humira as it says it can bring on MS (multiple sclerosis) which my dad has and so as you can imagine I'm reluctant to try this drug even though it seems like it might be a good option for me! I will discuss this with my Rheumy tomorrow. I hope she's got lots of time as I have lots of questions!!! Lol

dreamdaisy

Side effects are a risk (as is life) but that is why we are so carefully monitored. When on enbrel I had no idea that things were going wrong because I felt fine but the bloods (including a set taken when I was on holiday as ordered by my hospital) showed otherwise. My bloods have been fine on the humira and meth combo but I could be die tomorrow thanks to some form of mis-chance. What counts is the quality of life we can achieve now. Mine isn't great but I know it would be worse without the drugs. DD

emsjane

You're right DD. I need to do all I can to make my life as good as I can now and not think about the future.

The Rheumy has put me back on Methotrexate. I also found out today why I've been getting bad lower back pain. The MRI I had showed two of my discs are thinned!!

I had X-rays on hands and feet today as they've been giving me lots of pain lately.

I asked her what percentage she thought was down to me being overweight and she said 50%!!!! I know my being overweight doesn't help but I was surprised by that, especially when I see girls much bigger than myself and they don't have any problems!! So I need to try really hard to lose some weight now.

Oh and she prescribed me Capsaicin cream to rub into painful joints especially my hands. Be interesting to see if it works!

bubbadog

Of all my 13 drugs that I take daily I find they all cause tummy upsets, I agree that the Hydroxychloroquine does upset tummy's as since I have been on it my tummy upsets have increased and got slightly worse.
As DD said side-effects are a risk we have to take and that is why seeing your GP regularly will help so they can monitor how you are getting on.