I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis a year ago. I was placed on methetrexate for about 10 months and then my doctor discovered that the methetrexate made me anemic. He now wants me to be treated with remicade infusions. Is this the correct treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis, should I get a second opinion, or consider some other treatment?
Q: I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis a year ago. methetrexate made me anemic. remicade infusion
Answers (1)
6/14/09 6:42pm
Yes, those are typical treatments for PA.
Do you take any supplements with the Methotrexate? You need to take a prescription dose of Folic acid and sometimes some vitamins and iron. Did you already do that? Are you still on the Metho? It's not uncommon to be on it together with the remicade.
PA is like RA only you have the psoriasis also. The meds are pretty much the same.
If you'd like to post more questions, I am sure you will get some replies. This is a good site. Use the search feature and read up on your diagnosis. It is a good idea to take a list of questions with you to the doctor. My vote: it is not time to fire either the dr. or maybe even the methotrexate yet.
Good luck,
Kelly 
6/15/09 11:09pm
Hi Looking,
Your doctor is correct. You can't wait: you gotta try to stop this monster disease!
The risks are true as you read, but the risks of RA or PA are higher. You can read more on that in "pyramid v surge" or "can ra kill you?" on my blog.
The disease does leave you more limited alternatives, but you will adjust to the idea. You are the one who gets to choose what to take. But you will probably choose to treat the disease, if it is severe. It is just shocking at first to hear of chemo meds and biologics...
I know lots of people on remicade.
If you want to, write out your concerns on remicade and post it here like a sharepost asking people to discuss their remicade w/you. That might work.
Hope that helps some,
Kelly
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By Looking for answers— Last Modified: 12/24/10, First Published: 06/14/09
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Tank you, Kelly. Yes, I am still taking the folic acid and a multivitiamin with iron but my dr took me off of the methetrexate because I became anemic. I am really concerned about the remicade infusion. Do you or anyone else know about the cancer dangers and fungi infections associated with using this drug. I've been researching this drug and it scares me. I wish I could wait but my dr feels I need to get started with the treatment in July. He says that I cant just do nothing. I feel that I dont have any alternatives.