My rheumy is getting ready to put me on either Enbrel, Humeria, or Remicade. He has sent me literature on all 3, but I am not sure which of the 3 is best. They all have side effects that I really don't want to chance, but my RA is getting worse and I know I have to do something. Can anyone give me some advice on which one is a good one to start with. I am currently on Arava and Methotrexate and am not getting the results I need. Lots of inflammation in my body. Have been up and down on Prednisone, but I am so ready to get off of it.

Would love to feel like a 46 year old again.

Hi Rennah,
I know the rollercoaster ride that you are on. I was on methx and it ate my muscles away and made me rather ill my rhemy then put me on Arava but that made me so sick in the stomach and headaches and that was only after three doses. I took myself off that while my rheumy is on holidays and my dr put me on prednisone till he comes back. I know when I go back he will be putting me on something else so I am really keen to hear the responses you get and to follow with you your choice and how it works for you. All of these medications have serious side affects if they do affect you but its like they say quality of life vs condition. If I dont get quality from taking the meds then I just dont take them and try something else til i find what works for me.
Take care
Olivia :)

Hi there, I have been on MTX for about 4 yrs and recently went on Humira injections (I chose this one as I hate needles and Humira is given once every two weeks the others are weekly injections or an infusion every 6-8 weeks Arghhh). For me Humira has been great able to do things within 20 mins of receiving 1st jab and then RA got steadily better. I have now reduced MTX and dont take anything else for pain etc. like I used to. I have also weaned off of Prednisone and reduced it very slowly by taking one tablet every other day for approx. 1 month. I know my body may get used to Humira but for now it is very good. Everyone responds differently but I was so bad before Humira I would have tried anything. Let us know how you get on. Regards. Jane

I agree Lady Olivia, quality of life is no doubt my number one goal right now. I am so tired of being tired, not feeling like doing anything, hurting, etc. It is such a chore to drag myself out of bed every morning to go to work. I dread going to bed at night because I know the next morning is going to be hell all over again. Even though I don't like the thought of needles either, I am almost excited about the aspect of feeling good, if it works. I have been on the Prednisone roller coaster for over a year now. Everytime I try to wean off the RA rears its ugly head and the Dr. ups the dose for awhile. I will let you know how things go.

Thanks for the info.

HI ALL, I NOW TAKE REMECAID AND HAVE BEEN FOR OVER 4 YEARS. I WILL NOT FOR ANY REASON (OF MY CONTROL) GIVE UP THE REMECAID INJECTIONS I NOW GET. THEY HAVE HELPED ME A LOT.THE PAIN ISNT AS INTENSE AS IT WAS BEFORE I STARTED GETTING IT.
I ALSO HAVE CHROHNS DISEASE AND THE REMECAID HELPS THAT TO. I HAVEN'T HAD A CHROHN'S DISEASE ATTACK AND ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THE 4 YEARS EITHER.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF U. MY PARAYERS ARE WITH YOU. :angel:

Hi,

I have been taking Humeria injections (weekly) although most only have to take it every other week. I also take 8 pills of Methotrexate weekly. The Humeria helps but the injections for me are painful, the medication burns
a great deal this does not happen to everyone. There is a new medication that will be released this month which is an infusion that you only have to take it monthly, I don't remember the name but will be discussing it with my rheumatologist next month. I am hoping that I can switch to this because I hate having to take weekly injections. I wish you the best!
Deb

I have heard people have great results on all three. I take Methotrexate (15 mg week) and after some months, we added in Enbrel (50 mg injection per week). I don't mind doing the injection, I just go slowly and it doesn't hurt that much. Enbrel worked great for me, within 2 weeks my RA symptoms were dissipating, my energy came back and after a while, I was virtually pain-free. But then I started getting sick all the time--from November until now, it has been one thing after the next and I have to stop taking the Enbrel when I get put on an antibiotic, since the Enbrel works by supressing the immune system (theoretically you get could get really sick if you stayed on the meds when you are sick.). That said, I have now been off Enbrel more than on it and have a bad flare in my knees which is such a bummer. I am thinking of asking my doctor about Remicade, since you infuse it every 8 weeks. Then if you get sick, at least the RA symptoms would be controlled for that period of time so you are not sick and with RA at the same time....!! I have a friend who is early 40's like me and she loves Remicade. It works great for her, with Methotrexate, and she rarely if ever gets sick (and has 3 young kids too). I think these drugs can work really well, it's just like everyone has said...balance quality of life and keep trying until you find a drug that works for you. Good luck. Oh, the other thing to check is to be sure your insurance covers each drug. My insurance only covered Enbrel and Humira, but not Remicade....so maybe I will not be able to try that after all, come to think of it.

I have read on this board that someone contracted MS from one of these RA meds, I just can't remember which one. I'm only on methotrexate right now but when I have to bump up, I'll be really looking into that. RA is bad enough, I don't want something where the cure is worse than the disease.

Mimi,

I'm male, 59. Used MTX for 4 years (25MG/Wk). Gradually became less effective. Began Humeria two weeks ago. I feel like I'm 46 again. Was effective more quickly than expected. Am reducing MTX dosage by 5 MG per week. Next injection on Sunday. Wish me luck.

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Thank you