I should say cocktail in the topic title because it the only cocktail I’m going to have since alcholoic ones are out:disappointed:.
MTX didn’t work on its own and caused elevated liver function in the blood test so rheumy put the dose down to 7.5. of MTX and daily Arava. Anyone had this combination?
I have been in excruciating pain the last few days and she gave me a steroid injection today. She said I should feel relived in a few hours. Well it has been a few hours and still pain. Maybe very slight improvement but not much…would like your input on this…can injections also take longer to work?
I don’t have experience with either but wanted to wish you good luck! And fingers crossed it will just be a bit slow for you… hopefully you’ll feel better tomorrow.
Yael, I’ve been on that combination, and although it’s not usually recommended because it’s brutally hard on the liver, it is sometimes used. As long as you are having blood tests to monitor your liver function, you should be ok. But whatever you do, don’t drink!
When I was on Arava, I went on a cruise and had one thimble full of wine at dinner each night. When I got home, I had bloodwork done and the doctor was on the phone the next day telling me to stop whatever it was that I was doing to mess up my liver. She knew, and I knew what she was talking about. In the end, Arava didn’t work.
Bummer that the steroid isn’t helping. Some people get a really good response to it, others not. Some get relief the first time and then it doesn’t work the next time.
Carry on there: you may be on road to a biologic, which is your best bet for feeling better. One more DMARD to fail and most rheumatologists will start thinking along those lines.
Hi Cynthia and Seenie…it’s so good to get your feedback!!
Wow, I want steroid injections everyday It took a while but eventually kicked in. The only downside that I was up all night unable to sleep…it made me hyper and I even took vaben but it didn’t help.
Back to the long term, I did ask rheumy about biologics and she explained that the reason they don’t give them straight away is because they drastically suppress the immune system more than the other drugs and then the patient is subject to infections etc. Oh well I’m going along with her. she does seem to be through and has sent me for all sorts of liver tests and blood work to do throughout the 3 months when I see her again.
Oh the drink …I do love a glass of wine
Hubby fine. He was so lucky that the lump was visible and he caught it early. He’s finishing radiation this week but compared to chemo he says its a joke. He’s back to his usual self and I am so relieved to see him like that plus.
Ironic that he has the disability card and I’m the one who feels disabled!!!
It took a while but eventually kicked in. The only downside that I was up all night unable to sleep…it made me hyper and I even took vaben but it didn’t help.