Has anyone tried arthrotec? It is an NSAID with a huge amount of stomach protection. I once had a GI bleed so cannot go on regular NSAIDs. I've been taking Enbrel and then the doc took me off of that due to infection risk and put me on steroids. The streroids made me gain weight and didn't help so now he is trying Arthrotec. I do not have high expectations for it...but maybe it will help a little. It can't hurt to try. I was just relieved to see that it DOES come in a generic form so it won't cost me a forturne. I was wondering if any of you have tried it and what side efffects and rate of improvement you saw with it.
I was given this drug by my family doctor when I had my first flare before I was diagnosed I had a lot of trouble with is pill. I found that it gave me two periods a month and not just light flow but extremely heavy horrible periods.
I'm curious why your doc took you off Enbrel and put you on steroids, which can have a higher risk of infection than Enbrel. Plus, the steroids have very serious side effects compared to Enbrel.
I haven't heard of Arthrotec. I too had a bleed, though I ended up bleeding out of an ovarian cyst (lost that ovary), and almost bleeding to death. I had been on NSAID's for 20 yrs.
I don't know how Enbrel compares to Prednisone in terms of infection risk....but within the first several months of being on Enbrel I had pneumonia, celllulitis and endocarditis (an infection of a heart valve).... The risk for repeated endocarditis and then sepsis is high. So the doc was too nervous to continue me on Enbrel.
Be careful on prednisone...it has some very serious long term side effects. It can make you feel great when you're on it, but withdrawal and terrible, and it puts you at high risk of infections, cardiovascular problems, fat redistribution (ok, not life threatening but frustrating), and osteoporosis. Someone in my support group has osteoporosis at 23 due to prednisone taken long term for a different autoimmune condition.
Btw, I am NOT an anti-medication person at all. I've had PsA for 31 yrs, and when I was dx at age 10, there was aspirin and prednisone. I've got a bunch of the problems mentioned above thanks to the couple years I took prednisone in my growth years.
yes, I'm well familiar with prednisone and it's effects. I have severe asthma and have spent a good portion of my adult life on prednisone. I had many times when I was given mega doses of IV steroids (solule medrol) and experiienced fat redistribution among other things. It has forever changed my appearance....sadly. Also I had severe steriod myopathy when it destroyed my muscles. I was wheelchair bound for three years as a consequence of that.
I"ve stopped taking prednisone yesterday due to the increased appetite and weight gain. The doctor was okay with that and just prescribed the arthrotec instead.
Marietta said:
Wow, that's a lot of stuff in a short time.
Be careful on prednisone...it has some very serious long term side effects. It can make you feel great when you're on it, but withdrawal and terrible, and it puts you at high risk of infections, cardiovascular problems, fat redistribution (ok, not life threatening but frustrating), and osteoporosis. Someone in my support group has osteoporosis at 23 due to prednisone taken long term for a different autoimmune condition.
Btw, I am NOT an anti-medication person at all. I've had PsA for 31 yrs, and when I was dx at age 10, there was aspirin and prednisone. I've got a bunch of the problems mentioned above thanks to the couple years I took prednisone in my growth years.
I'm frustrated by the Arthrotec...I honestly can't even tell I"m taking it....My hands are still swelling and stiff; my feet are very painful, my shoulders still hurt. And my neck and lower back are horrible. I wonder if it is worth the bother of taking it? Fortunately it's inexpensive or else I'd definitely quit it. I really freakin' just need to be on a biologic. WHY is that risk and that decision not mine instead of the doctor's?? It's so unfair that some stranger who doesn't cry when he gets up in the morning because of pain, gets to determine what treatments I can and can't have. I'm going back to see him next month. If he doesn't reconsider then I will probably try to find another rheumy. Unfortunately I've been through most of the ones around here. ( I live in the boondocks) so I don't have a lot of choices.
That's very frustrating. It may be working, but nowhere near at the level you need it to be. I wonder often why they don't introduce biologics earlier.
oh I"ve been on biologics....got pneumonia and endocarditis from them. The doctors feel the risk of infection with me is too high to be on biologics. Everyone agrees I desperately need them. I say it's worth the risk....the doctors are too law suit shy and don't have to live with the pain I do so they are not willing to take the risk.