My RA is out of control. I'm going into my seventh year of this disease. I was not diagnoised until I met with my fifth Rheumatologist, 4 1/2 years into the disease. I have just finished 9 months of Humira & 18 months of Prednisone. Had to discontinue using Prednisone because of the nasty side effects - Diabetes. I did not respond to Plaquenil or Enbrel in 2006. Have had to use a walker for over a year now to get myself in and around the office in the mornings. Since going off the Prednisone 2 months ago, I'm in one big flare and am experiencing the worst pain ever 24/7, in all of my joints. I thought the Humira was finally helping me after the 10th injection, but now I think my disease is just too agressive for the biologic to work. My depression is at an all time high. I plan to ask my Rheumatolgist this week to prescribe Orencia. Has anyone tired this fairly new drug? I won't miss the severe injection site reactions that I had to all 9 of the Enbrel shots and to 16 out of 18 Humira shots. I feel like I'm going backwards instead of forwards.
Looking for the light at the end of the tunnel -
Angie

.. I hate that drug but it sure does work. I'm going to have to wean off of it and it is going to hurt like the dickens. I sure hope you feel better.

Angie I commented on your reply to jazzy but I have just read your blog. I am so sorry I am in th 7th year and had bad reaction to methotrexate. I think that you need to detox as your whole system is crashing. If you are having reactions to the injection sites you do need a complete detox and your body is rejecting everything. If you could stand the pain try and come off everything for a week - drink loads of water and flush out your system. I had to do this after I came off the methotrexate - I was so ill that even the injection I got to stop the vomiting caused problems and I got cellulitus (can't spell) at the injection site. I checked with my doctor and he agreed that I should come off everything. I did feel very bad and had no sleep for the first 3 days but by the end of the week I felt better and then I re started on the delta cortril (steroid). I again say I am so sorry to see you so distressed and I hope you find relief soon.
Mary I
Maryi
I have been on Methotrexate for the past 3 months. The pills I took in 2002 made me want to vomit & I my hair thinned out, so this time I opted for injections. So far, I have not experienced any side effects other than an increase in morning nausea. Thank goodness my hair did NOT fall out this time. I'm taking 50 units per wk, but not sure if it is benefiting me.
Thanks for your advice. I have had to detox my body many times before, especially after taking Arava for 2 months last year.
Angie
Hi Angie,
i came off the tablet form of methotrexate and on to the injections was great for 6 months then I got a bout of food poisoning and all hell broke loose, hair fell out, liver and kidneys started to act up etc., I too am taking arava, but at this stage I am taking so much and everything has side effects. The best of luck and have a great christmas.
Mary