Q: Are any one of the tnf blockers stronger than another?
Hello, Mommoris. I saw my rheumy today and she said she wants me to take MTX becauseit isn't as hard on the liver as Arava. I agreed to take the MTX. I have read several accounts of people taking Arava having trouble with liver enzymes and high blood pressure. Does your MD want to increase the Arava you are taking now or just continue you on the same dosage? Are you liver enzymes really high? As for Embrel, it seems that some people develop antiboides to biologics, and they stop working after a while. The good news is that they can try another biologic, and it does work for them. Did you doc say anything about trying one of the other biologic meds? If I were you, I would make an appointment with the rheumy to discuss your options and then try to come to a consensus of what is best for you. I'm not a doc. I'm a patient, just like you. 
I understand your concern about the Arava. I would feel the same way.
Best Wishes,
V
That is ironic, Mo. I can relate to the weight issue. My knees are so inflammed my doc won't let me walk more than a quarter mile in one direction and that is supposed to be on a padded area or track. Get real!!! So...my knees are feeling better since PT. I may try a little walk thi wekkend. I hope the MTX works for me, but I am sensitive to drugs...many allergies, etc. I don't want to be a guinea pig, either! LOL Oh, well, onward and upward. We have to to stay the course and find a med or meds that work.
Blessings,
V
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I tried MTX before..didn't agree with me. We halved the dose of arava, and the enzymes did come down, yet have also gone back up again a bit. I just don't want to buy anymore trouble than I already have! I was in a flare recently and had to bump up my prednisone for a bit and am on the way back down, but would really like to get a better handle on this. It just seems like its such a crap shoot as to what they use for you. I am new to this process and don't want to start jumping medication classes until we are sure one is not working. Trial and error, but I am not fond of being a guinea pig! And I'd like to get more comfortable so I can get more active---went from a high power jogger/bicyclist/ER nurse to part time clinic nurse/stationary bike/yoga person, which is ok, but my body prefers the higher output to keep the weight off, so it's not! Have put on 30 pounds since 18 months ago and would like to get off the prednisone which I haven't been able to do yet. Would like to save the IV drugs for when I need them. BTW, I work in an Infusion clinic, where we infuse RA drugs! How's that for irony?
Thanks V! Mo ;)