Hello Debs,

    I very strongly suggest to get a second opinion from another rheumatologist! If you have to (which I would) get a new rheumatologist! The SAME THING happened to me!!!! The rheumy told me the same thing, that he didn't think it had anything to do with my meds or my RA and made me continue my medication. Also, another medication I was on...made me 150 TIMES WORSE!! I COULD NOT get out of bed, I couldn't even straighten my own legs out in bed. My husband had to literately straighten them out for me while I screamed and cried (literately). Ok....that being said, here's somethings about me! I'm 22 yrs old. I was diagnosed with Polyarticular Rheumatoid Arthritis AND Raynaud's Phenomenon at 16. First my doctor had told me that I DID NOT have RA, but I had a little bit of Raynaud's. Later I found out that I had both, but more RA than the Raynaud's! Ok, I was on Methotrexate, Prednisone, Folic Acid and Ranitidine in the beginning. Methotrexate worked well for about 4 or 5 yrs. EXCEPT, while I was on it I got repeated and countless numbers of infections such as UTIs, bladder infections, and (it's gross to say), but yeast infections. The prednisone gave me constant migraines. So.... He took me off all of that and put me on Enbrel. MY FIRST SHOT I WAS 150 TIMES WORSE!! That's when I couldn't get out of bed or anything....then he kept me on it! Told me he would adjust the dose and take it down because "I just wasn't use to it yet". Well, he did that and it still didn't work, just kept getting worse. So.....once again, he took me off of that and put me on Humira. Not good either! All I did was sit on the toilet several times a day. I lost 20 pds just because while I was on that med. every time I even took a SIP of a drink or ate anything at all....it never stayed in my system and I got unbelievably dehydrated!!!! So once again, he took me off of that and now I'm on Remicade IV AND Methotrexate! But, during all of this, right after I used Methotrexate and Enbrel...I developed Pleurisy, at age 21, (inflammation of the lining of the chest wall and lungs!!) I truely believe I got it from the medications. And all the while....I also have Infertility. Have been trying everything possible to concieve for the last 6 yrs (since my diagnosis....GO FIGURE!). Anyway, now......now I have something wrong with my heart and am using a heart monitor this very moment to try and figure out why my heart rate is sooo high. It gets so bad that it feels like it's going to explode and while this is happening, I get chest pains and it's hard to breath. Anyway, please please please seek another opinion or several if you have to! In MY opinion, you really shouldn't be on that medication! Also, PLEASE 'try' to stay away from Remicade, Rituxan and Kineret if at all possible. I'd use them for last resorts! They have very serious side effects and in my opinion are very dangerous! If you need anything, feel free to contact me anytime. My information is on my profile. I also set up my own site at www.carecentral.com/providing-hope it's just set up, so trying to get people to join! It's for all kinds of support and to make friends. You can talk about anything you need to on there! Anyway, again good luck and take care. And ALWAYS trust your guy instinct more than anything! No matter what anyone says! Find out for yourself things you need to know to make yourself feel better before making important decisions!:)

I've been hesitant to try the meds. that mean injecting myself, so I've been reading about other people that have tried them to determine the pros and cons.  I took Methotrexate years ago, but it diminished my immune system so much that I ended up constantly sick.  I won't go there again!  I guess that's why I'm so uncertain about Enbrel or Humira.  I've had RA for about 15 years and tried a number of pills.  Get into a routine of what works and move on to another when it seems to no longer be the answer. 

I've decided to hold off on the Enbrel for now because I may have found a better solution.  I'm currently taking Minocycline and one Naproxen a day with dinner.  I've also been taking Flex Protex for about a month and I can't get over the difference in the way I feel...it's incredible!!  It's all natural and contains a COX2 inhibitor...again a natural one that won't harm your stomach!  I also want to preserve my joints for when I hit my 60's!  I was struggling to sleep at night because the pain in my wrists, hands and elbows was unbearable.  I was taking a pain killer every night before bed, but it would only last about 4 hours.  I no longer need the pain killers and I have no trouble sleeping...I'm hopping out of bed in the morning feeling great!  Check out Flex Protex on the web and see if it might be worth a try!!

Good luck and take care!   ~ Christine