Methotrexate and Hydroxychloroquine

[lifeboatann58]

Well after almost a year of being first on Methotrexate (tablets then injections) Then having Hydroxychloroquine added. It's back to the drawing board. So now I'm waiting on an appointment with a specialist to see about putting me on bilogics. Has anyone got any idea what one they usually try us on first? Xx

[popsmith1874]

Hi I'm same as you and I'm starting enthrachept (Embrel) for short,their stopping sulfazalasine and hydroxocloroquine but keeping me on methetrexate to run along with the biologic although I think she said the methetrexate would be reduced to a lower dose as I'm on 20mgs the now so just waiting for everything to be signed off,probably start in 3t 4 weeks

[lifeboatann58 in reply to popsmith1874]

Hya popsmith1874. Thanks for that. I have been on the 20mg Methotrexate injection, that's the highest they could give me as it was affecting my kidneys. Hopefully whatever they do give me helps. I feel as bad now as I did at the beginning. Xx

[Paula1994]

Hi I'm on 25mg mtx injection, Hydroxychloroquine, and enbrel.

I was tried on cimzia first but had an anaphylaxis from it.

I had a nurse from healthcare at home come and go through everything with me before I started on them. X

[lifeboatann58 in reply to Paula1994]

Hya Paula1994. Thanks for that. It's all a bit scary isn't it. That must have been a horrific experience for you. Hopefully I find out what there going to do soon. As it seems silly staying on the drugs that aren't really helping much. Then again maybe they are keeping the RD from getting worse.

[rawillbebeaten]

Hi, I was diagnosed in 2001 and after a year of pain I got Enbrel and it was a miracle. I was so much better and out of pain. Things are not going so well now, my kidneys started to be affected by one of the other drugs and I had to stop taking it. I'm off Enbrel as well, I had a Rituximab infusion in Feb and that is working for the inflammatory levels showing in blood tests BUT I now have nerve pain and a foot drop which my Rheumatology consultant and the Neurological consultant I saw on Tuesday think is inflammation caused by RA. Hopefully it will settle down but I'm on 30mg steroids and Gabapentin for the nerve pain on top of Hydroxycloroquine and Sufosalazine. This is such a changing and unique to the individual condition that it's impossible to predict what will happen.

Wishing you all the very best and hope a biological treatment works for

[lifeboatann58 in reply to rawillbebeaten]

Hya rawillbebeaten. Thank you. Sounds like you have had a really bad time of it. You are right about each of us having it differently though. That's what make it so hard for the Rheumy Dr's to find the one that is right for us. It's like being a guinea pig really. Try this drug and hope that this one is the right one for you. And it's not there fault, just the nature of this beast. Some are really lucky to hit the jackpot right away and unfortunately others have to try all different drugs hoping the right one comes along. Here's hoping for that I win this lottery sooner rather than later. Xxxxx