RA treatments that don’t suppress your immune system ?

[Tawonga64]

I have just been diagnosed with cancer and they have withdrawn all my old treatments, methotrexate, Humeria and put me on a very low does of steroids which is not holding my RA symptoms. Does anyone know of treatments that don’t suppress the immune system, thank you in advance for your advice.

[VeronicaF]

I don't know anything about the meds but wanted to say sorry to hear that news, sending you big hugs x

[Tawonga64 in reply to VeronicaF]

Thank you 😊

[Ruth12345]

Same as VeronicaF. Hopefully someone on here will be able to answer your question. Let us know how you get on please.

[wishbone]

Sorry to hear that. Not sure if there are any others, but I believe hydroxychloroquine has little effect on the immune system. I was on it for 2 years for that reason.

[Tawonga64 in reply to wishbone]

Thank you wishbone I will definitely look into this

[wishbone in reply to Tawonga64]

Hydroxy's not as strong as other meds hence was not a effective as methotrexate and enbrel were at controlling my RA, but it definitely helped. Hope it's ok for you to take and does the same with your RA.

Good luck to you.

[Hidden]

So sorry to hear that, how awful for you. No idea on meds, not qualified but could you try rheumatology advice line and tell them RAs not controlled? Kindest regards x

[Tawonga64 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Kerena

[helixhelix]

I hope your rheumatologist and oncologist will discuss what's best for you, and do it soon! The last thing you need when facing cancer treatment is to have to worry about your RA as well....so much sympathy.

There are less suppressive drugs, like minocycline, hydroxy and I think also sulphasalazine, but your doctors will need to consider what works best with your cancer treatments so may not be straightforward. I hope you have an appointment scheduled with your rheumy soon - if not push hard to get one. Good luck.

[Pipps]

Hi I was diagnosed with RA in September 2014 (very healthy cyclist/swimmer to very disabled wheelchair user in a couple of months) In 2016 I was diagnosed with aggressive Ductal Carcinoma which had spread to the Lymph nodes. I was immediately taken off Sulphasalazine to have treatment (Mastectomy,Chemo,lymph node removal, radiotherapy) which lasted a year. I couldn't believe it either. I never write on here about my situation, but you compelled me to do so. The chemo has an amazing affect on RA. During treatment all my RA symptoms disappeared. It was only after all my cancer treatment had finished,that my RA returned but by then I was able to go back on my RA meds. Sending virtual hugs xx

[Tawonga64 in reply to Pipps]

Thank you Pipps for your message and sorry to hear your story, my cancer is rare NETs and unfortunately is not curable and none of my tumours are operable so in my case it’s all about management. I am not having Chemo at the moment as they feel it won’t help the cancer at the moment so I am on another drug and still under going further tests. I am trying to find RA treatments now that won’t effect my cancer so I can improve my quality of life, there must be something out there 🤞

[dbestdeb in reply to Tawonga64]

It may be like putting a bandaid on a broken arm, but I use a product called extra strength Curamin by Terry Naturally. It contains turmeric for inflammation and boswellia for pain. If I take it daily, it doesn’t cure the pain but brings it down a notch. I really notice when I don’t take it. Be sure to check with your doctors before taking anything to be sure of no interaction with other meds.

Best wishes to you.

[Pipps in reply to Tawonga64]

I am so sorry to hear this, my thoughts and prayers are with you. X

[Cheylann]

No but wish I did as who really wants to supreme their immune system. Sorry about your diagnosis. Cancer is an awful disease.

[Cheylann in reply to Cheylann]

Should be supress.

[BerOGrady]

I have recently been to a talk given by a man who has many testimonials that pharmaceutical grade sodium bicarbonate is effective for treating both cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Believe me I as sceptical as anyone and have been around the block with treatments for my daughter and have listened to testimonials from all sides too. I thought his talk was very thorough he covered tons of research. It is an inexpensive treatment, not pharmaceutical so your doctor most likely won't prescribe, - the talk I went to was in Australia though so that might be out of range but his website is Safesoda.com.au . He didn't mention recent research that as come out from Atlanta university on the effectiveness of sodium bicarbonate in treating disease, it was renal disease in that case but it supports what he calls simple science to help reverse illness. No harm to look it up. Obviously he says that his product is the best quality - but it would be important to make sure that the sodium bicarbonate is natural - from the ground, not produced in a lab from ammonia, and that it is pharmaceutical grade if you considered this approach. Best wishes to you with everything you are dealing with. I see there are other posts on here about sodium bicarbonate also I think it sounds very promising. Best wishes to you with everything you are dealing with

[ryn17]

Just to say sorry on your recent diagnosis, stay strong and discuss with your doctors am wishing some relief will be found soon for you.

[Simba1992]

Hello Tawonga64,

So sorry to hear of your complications. I have during the 2,5 years been trying to control my RA without immunosupressants. I have found concreat help from LDN that is also shown in many cases to help with different forms of cancer. Here you can find information that tell you what it's all about. I wish you all the luck. Simba

ldnresearchtrust.org/2018-f...

[Gnarli]

Many apologies but I don't know. I just wanted to say that I'm so sorry to hear of your troubles and hope that an effective treatment may be found for you as soon as possible. Huge hugs J

[Plumcrumble]

Hi, so sorry, I had non Hodgkins lymphoma 5 years ago and the chemo treatment rchop knocked out the RA, five years later the RA has returned but I'm starting with leflunomide on Friday so it depends what type of cancer and treatment you have, sending you all the best and stay strong xx

[Plumcrumble]

Forgot to say I took prednisolone with the chemo aswell as my normal daily dose, and codydramol, xxx

[nymima01]

Hi - I read here for my daughter who has RA. But I had PMR - polymialgia rheumatica AND NH lymphoma. I treated with an immunotherapy drug called Rituxan and it knocked out both and I am currently in remission. I have been reading about Rituxan and it is now used for many, many conditions and one of the conditions is RA. Look into this drug. I had no side effects. It was in the form of an infusion that I took once a week for one month.

Note: I was allergic to Rituxan my initial infusion and my throat started to close up. But the staff at the infusion clinic was on top of things right away and they gave me an injection of a steroid and benedryl. This stopped the reaction cold. Then with every infusion after, I had to have the steroid and benedryl before the Rituxan and I was fine. No ill side effects and it shrunk my tumor and stopped the inflammation that was causing the PMR. I no longer have to take prednisone for the PMR. (At least for over a year and counting).

[Hidden]

I take Minocycline, although I don't have cancer.. I am so sorry for your situation. My RA hit remission in 8 months on 200 mg of Minocycline every day. I talked to my rheumatologist and she indicated that she is not concerned with me being on it long term. If you are interested, there is a site called roadback.org that will answer most questions. Wishing nothing by the best for you...

[Luci22]

I'm so sorry to read this, I hope you will find answers to manage your conditions. There must be something for you, keep on digging and asking the doctors, and ask them to consult about your case with other doctor colleagues. Be a squeaky wheel. All the very best to you.

[nomoreheels]

Only to say sorry, I've no advice I can give you & I don't think anyone here should either, we don't know what would be applicable I'm afraid. I agree with helix, your two teams should be communicating & be sure they're on top of this for you. If your Rheumy review appointment isn't any time soon push to be seen at the earlier opportunity & specifically ask when they will be conversing with your Oncology team. They will work out between them which RD treatments are compatible with your cancer care.

I hope you keep as well as you can expect to be. Take good care.