What have you tried? What has or hasnt worked for you?
Hi there
I was going to ask everyone the same question.
I won't bother talking about the NSAIDs as they weren't effective.
Methotrexate - on 25mgs pill, started around 3/2011, after 2-3 months of working up to a dose of 20mgs I was still in lots of pain so I had a steroid injection (the one they do in the arm muscle that works for whole body) and I started Sulfasalazine.
Sulfasalazine - on maximum dose (6 pills) taken 3 morning 3 night, since approximately 5/2011. Since taking them I was in a better state than when taking just the Methotrexate alone. However they made me feel quite nauseous so around 12/2011 I decided to stop taking them. After several weeks I realized what a bad decision that was. I was in a lot of pain and moving slowly. I restarted them and so far the nausea isn't so bad but I am still not as good as I was before I'd stopped them. Perhaps I just need more time.
Now I'm not sure what to do. I am convinced the Sulfasalazine is helping, though I still have pain in ankles, hands, back. I haven't spoke to my doctor yet about the next step but I would like to experiment and see whether the Methotrexate is working or not. If stopping it doesn't make a difference, then there's no reason to continue taking it. I am afraid though that the combination of Meth and Sulfa are helping and I'm just going to screw that up.
Other options include trying another DMARD (???) or going on a biological.
Finally wanted to add that I have psoriasis on my scalp, elbows and other places and the Meth and Sulfa have NOT helped it at all. Very disappointed as I thought the bonus of giving in to the hard drugs would be no more psoriasis.
I just got off methotrexate and I hated it. Because it made me nauseous and I had other concerns (afraid to get pregnant becuse methotrexate can cause birth defects in children) my dr and I decided to start humeria. I hate giving myself injections but I only have to do it twice a month and I don’t feel terrible like I did on methotrexate .it is expensive so I had trouble gettin it covered by my insurance. But as always your dr knows best but that is my personal experience.
MissG said:
Hi there
I was going to ask everyone the same question.
I won’t bother talking about the NSAIDs as they weren’t effective.
Methotrexate - on 25mgs pill, started around 3/2011, after 2-3 months of working up to a dose of 20mgs I was still in lots of pain so I had a steroid injection (the one they do in the arm muscle that works for whole body) and I started Sulfasalazine.
Sulfasalazine - on maximum dose (6 pills) taken 3 morning 3 night, since approximately 5/2011. Since taking them I was in a better state than when taking just the Methotrexate alone. However they made me feel quite nauseous so around 12/2011 I decided to stop taking them. After several weeks I realized what a bad decision that was. I was in a lot of pain and moving slowly. I restarted them and so far the nausea isn’t so bad but I am still not as good as I was before I’d stopped them. Perhaps I just need more time.
Now I’m not sure what to do. I am convinced the Sulfasalazine is helping, though I still have pain in ankles, hands, back. I haven’t spoke to my doctor yet about the next step but I would like to experiment and see whether the Methotrexate is working or not. If stopping it doesn’t make a difference, then there’s no reason to continue taking it. I am afraid though that the combination of Meth and Sulfa are helping and I’m just going to screw that up.
Other options include trying another DMARD (???) or going on a biological.
Finally wanted to add that I have psoriasis on my scalp, elbows and other places and the Meth and Sulfa have NOT helped it at all. Very disappointed as I thought the bonus of giving in to the hard drugs would be no more psoriasis.
I didn't realize you could be pregnant on Humira. I'm not sure if I want to have another child or not, but it would be good to be on something that is compatible with pregnancy just in case.
I have had psoiatis since I was a baby. I am now 62 I was not diagonated with PsA untiljan 2010. all my life I have alot of white peeling patches on knees, elbows, ankles, and fingers. My fingers would bleed. I have has plently of creams, tars, light treatments cordisone shots. I am now on humira injection every 2 weeks. my psoriatis is all gone.
I did not get help with my pain and stiffness in arms knees and feet with just humira. i got very discouraged because I was a very active person and could not do anything without pain and stiffness. When I started Mtx it took awhile to take effect about 4 months. between humira injection and Mtx 30 mg every week I have my life back and can do things without pain and stiffness. I also take 1mg folic acid every day. It taes time and don't get discouraged to find right combination of mediciene and finding a good rhemy.