Bisphosphonates & Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Ron]

Hi Karen and all,

If one types in "actonel side effects" in your search engine, one of the side effects that is mentioned is "vision changes"
Among many others others is "dry eyes".

Of course, doctors are someowhat trapped by the advertising and their past success with these meds, so they prescribe and hope that the patient is not
one who will be adversely effected. Always ask the pharmacist about side effects BEFORE taking a new med. If you don't ask, you may not know what
to watch out for. They usually have printed hand-outs, so you won't have to rely on memory.

If taking bisphosphonates orally for a long term is a problem, then maybe
the intravenous route would cause fewer ongoing side effects because
it is only taken a few times during the first month or two.

Unfortunately, those with RA can have side effects such as dry eyes
(Sjogren's Syndrome) and may blame this on taking any med if they experience the problem soon after trying anything new.

Has anyone with RA been thoroughly checked for a hidden infection and
been denied antibiotics when makers for Sed Rate, C Reactive Protein, Antinuclear Antibody, White Blood Cell Count and Rheumatoid Factor
were elevated. Many doctors still doubt that RA has an infectious cause and
are reluctant to prescribe antibiotics. (especially long term)

Here is a link to a government site... regarding Juvenile RA
[url]http://www.niams.nih.gov/hi/topics/juvenile_arthritis/juvarthr.htm[/url]

[dwatson]

Thanks for the heads up. I am new to the board. I have had RA for almost 8 years. I began treatment on Remicaid about a year and a half ago in combination with my methotrexate. I was showing great results till about 6 months ago. My doctor has increased my dosage and frequency on the Remicaid, but over the last few months, my symptoms have been getting increasingly worse. My last round of blood work came back high for nuclear antibodies, a much higher SED rate and positive RA factor and it is feared I have developed drug-induced Lupus from the Remicaid. Since my RA is so active right now, I am fearful as to my treatment options if I come off the drugs. Waiting is the hardest part, and not knowing my options is worse. The risks we take for a better life.... I responded poorly to Enbrel prior to taking Remicaid so I am giving the doc time to think this one through. Just a heads up. Take care and God Bless.

[ataylor]

I've had RA for 17 years and have been on enbrel/methotrexate combo ever since it came out (4-5years). I've found the more calcium I can stuff in the better I feel, and not just in my bones. When I don't take extra calcium I have mood swings, menstrual cramps, hunger pangs and cravings... I'm not my usual sunny self, in other words.

It's interesting that a lack of calcium seems to be a common tie to the various autoimmune disease profiled here.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by dwatson

Thanks for the heads up. I am new to the board. I have had RA for almost 8 years. I began treatment on Remicaid about a year and a half ago in combination with my methotrexate. I was showing great results till about 6 months ago. My doctor has increased my dosage and frequency on the Remicaid, but over the last few months, my symptoms have been getting increasingly worse. My last round of blood work came back high for nuclear antibodies, a much higher SED rate and positive RA factor and it is feared I have developed drug-induced Lupus from the Remicaid. Since my RA is so active right now, I am fearful as to my treatment options if I come off the drugs. Waiting is the hardest part, and not knowing my options is worse. The risks we take for a better life.... I responded poorly to Enbrel prior to taking Remicaid so I am giving the doc time to think this one through. Just a heads up. Take care and God Bless.

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Hi Dwatson,

Please ask your doctor what else could cause a high sed rate, Antinuclear Antibody and a positive Rheumatoid Factor.. If he does not mention
"infection" as a possible cause, YOU mention it.

Then ask to be put on long term "new generation" tetracyclines which are more effective than the original med. (If your markers start dropping,
you will know you are doing the right thing.) It will then be up to you to
plead with the doc to be left on the antibiotic as long as you are improving.
In time, you will be able to reduce the immune suppressants as you continue
to feel better. It could take a year or more, depending on how entrenched
the infection is.

Good luck

Ron

[old waitress]

My son is on Kineret and injectable methotrexate and has been for the last year. He has done so well he in no longer in a wheelchair and very littl pain,We are now unable to get the injectable methotrexate, anyone else have that problem? What the deal with nor being able to get it?