are certain drugs worth taking??

[lori.bret]

Hello,everyone. I have been diligently reading all posts in the arthritis board. I have arthritis and degenerative disc disease and I have learned alot of things from a variety of people on this site. When I first came on here, I had no idea even what DMARDS were. I was given alot of info on this and also continued to research these in other places as well. I have only ever used prescription painkillers for my pain because I am severely allergic to and this is one of the prime ingredients in alot of NSAIDS and certain other meds also.
After researching DMARD'S I have come to the conclusion that I am quite afraid of even trying any of them. I am getting kind of desperate though, as sometimes the pain is so bad and even the painkillers arent totally keeping the pain at bay. And the worst thing is, it isnt just one or two joints. I regularly get hit with pain in many places simultaneously--hands,fingers,wrists,elbows,cervical spine,knees,ankles,feet, everywhere.
My fear is, after researching all these disease modifying drugs that are used for people with cancer (and I realize they are prescribed in lower doses) have fAr too many side effects that scare the crap out of me.
Some of them even say "lymphoma has been known to occur' in people who were otherwise healthy prior to using these drugs.
My mother died of chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and she was using chlorambucil initially upon being diagnosed. Other side effect state the loss of hair, more susceptibility to infection, lack of energy, vomiting and diahrrea, constipation, chronic fatigue, and eye problems---the list just doesnt seem to end.
I almost feel like I would rather just use the pain meds and suffer with the pain that is left over.
I guess my question is "Does anyone else feel this way, or am I the only one who is freaked out about using cancer drugs for something that is not cancer, nor is it even close. Any input on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Lori

[Kissa]

I am in the same boat as you. I've had OA since I was 10, I am now 41. I have it in every major joint and have faced multiple surgeries as a result.
I have checked into the DMRD's as well and they scare me immensely, especially since there is a very high incidence rate of cancer in my family.

I've learned to accept that fact that I can't change the disease and do what I can to maintain on a daily basis. My regimine is an anti-imflamatory, anti-spasmatic medications, and high levels of morphine on a daily basis. I see a Pain Management specialist who handles all of these various medications. The potential side effects from my current medications are far less dangerous than the alternative medications.

I don't like being physically dependant on narcotics but it's the only thing that allows me to get out of bed in the morning and stand. It decreases my pain levels about 50% sometimes more depending on what I do that day.

[lori.bret]

Hi Kissa, Thanks for your response. I realized in reading over my post that I skipped the word "aspirin" when I was stating my allergy. So I cannot use any anti-inflammatories because the main ingredient in them is ASA. And I know that narcotics arent the best option long term, but unfortunately, I think I would rather take my chances with them long term as opposed to using cancer meds and basically trading one set of symptoms for a different set, and as far as I can see, what I am suffering with is better than nausea,diahrrea, hair loss-----MAN--just thinking about it freaks me out all over again, and I was curious about other people feeling this way or not because everyone's posts that I have read seem to be dealing with all these particular drugs in a very calm way.Just the idea or suggestion of cancer drugs for my arthritis and DDD make me want to ask "are you nuts???"
I mean, which Doctors came up with the "brilliant" idea of using these meds for arthritis? And some of the stuff I have read on different cancer meds state "they arent even 100% sure why some of these drugs apparently work, which makes me wonder "what happens when they find out that is may cause more harm than good, long term?" We have all read the info, where one day, a certain thing is recommended, only to have them change their minds a few years later and then they say "new studies indicate this is not a good idea"

For myself personally, I dont want to be one of those individuals taking that particular drug when they find out it is doing more harm than good.
Thanks again for your response. LORI

[ToBeFreeToRoam]

Hi Lori.Bret and Kissa,

I wish that I could take the pain meds that you are both taking (or which ever ones worked best for me). But my insurance will not pay for a pain med. doctor or the pain meds. (Now on the 2nd part - I am not definitely sure). And I do not have enuf money to go on my own.

I have a very good old fashioned family dr. that gave me some hydrocodone and muscle relaxers for a while. Then he referred me to a rheumatologist. But, he still gives me, Lexapro and a little Valium, to help me make it thru the really stressful things of my life at the moment.

My Rheumatologist, who I am gone to for about 3 years, is really good. She first diagnosed me with osteo and then after more tests and try outs of drugs, discovered that I have very active Rheumatoid Arthritis and some osteo also. We just did a test for Lupus, and had my knees x-rayed, so will see in a few weeks what becomes of those.

She gives me 4 Skelaxin (muscle relaxers), per day. 2 ER 100mg Ultram per day (1 in am and 1 in pm), 3 Sulphasalazin, 2 x day, 1 Relafen, 2 x day, and 1 - 2 Prednisone in the am. The Prednisone works great, but I do not have a perfect liver, so, she is weaning me off of them. Oh yeah, she just started trying me on, 1 Lyrica, 1 in am and 1 in pm. If that does not work, to make me feel better some what, she will up my Ultram ER, to 200mg, 1 in am and 1 in pm.

Sorry to be so long, just wish that my rheumy would give me better working drugs. I cannot take the other kinds, because I have sores on me, I type of rash/? that I keep picking, when I get anxious.

Thanks for listening and let me know if yall have any tips for me.

Wannabe

[ladybugz22]

You are not the only one freaked out about taking these drugs that are for cancer. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in december 2006. my rheumy has recommended that i start taking methotrexate. so before doing that i did lots of research on that drug, and alternatives for treatment. after reading about all of the possible side effects, i refused to be put on that medication. My father has non-hodgekins lymphoma, and i worry that taking these drugs may increase my chances even more of getting something like that.
i found some information on a completely organic supplement that i wanted to try, so i printed out the info, and took it to my rheumy. she said that its not what she would wish for me, but she is willng to let me try it for 2 months, at that time it will be my next appt with her, in may. what im taking has things in it that have been shown to be anti inflammatory and in some cases have helped people with RA. its called Zymflamend, by a company called New Chapter. i found it online and then bought it at a health food store. Don't get me wrong, i'm not here to advertise, but just to answer the posts about drug concerns and what i'm doing for myself. i'm also taking omega-3 fish oil each day. i was on prednisone, but in the last week have weaned myself off of that to see if i could tell whether or not the supplements are working. a few days after stopping the pred, i could feel a little bit of soreness in my fingers, which is where the majority of my RA is. most of that soreness has gone now, so i'm hoping its due to the supplements i'm taking. i know it can take some time for things to actually get into your body and start working, so i hope by may, my next appt, i'll be able to tell a significant difference. i have had NO side effects from any of the things i'm taking so i'm happy about that too. i hope to have great results with this, i'll keep ya posted.