hiya all just a quick question. if mtx isn't working for me are the stronger drugs more scarey as regards damaging my body?

[jaqi1]

[Hidden]

Methotrexate is pretty strong Jaqi - are you meaning the biologic drugs when you say stronger? You maybe need a combination of therapies like I'm on with MTX and Hydroxichloraquine as well. Mind you MTX has worked quite well for me so far although I find it hard to tolerate and my ESR is still way too high. I think all these drugs are quite scary but that's why we are very well monitored on them. Tilda x

[jaqi1 in reply to Hidden]

thanks for your reply Tilda, yes i do mean biologic drugs, not that i understand what they mean. x

[Hidden]

Look them up in this site or the Internet Jaqi. If you live in England then you will probably have to show that you have failed at least 3 DMARD drugs before you qualify though as they cost about a thousand pounds per injection. Tilda x

[helixhelix]

Hi Jaqi, all drugs have some risks, evens aspirins, and it's just that the type of risk changes. So it's probably more important to discuss with your rheumy what might suit you best, and then think about the positives and negatives of that specific choice. Sometimes if you just concentrate on the risks I find that it all gets a bit overwhelming so prefer to think about one thing at a time.

Biologic just means that these drugs are made from living things, as they are proteins, rather than a batch of chemicals. That's why you have to take them by injection as otherwise your stomach would digest them. Pollyx

[sallyeb]

After I failed mtx, gold, sulza, and hydroxy I was put on lefluomide. don't seem to have any problems - see what your consultant suggests

[Beth58]

Really depends what combination of drugs you've already tried. There's all the NSAID's and DMARD's (MTX, Leflunomide, Sulphasalazine etc) which can be used plus they can be used in combination until you find what suits you best.

Have a chat with your Rheumy team and see what they think will be best for your level of RA.

Beth xx

[Judetheobscure]

Hello Jacqui

There is a really good booklet on Biologics that you can get from NRAS. Tel. No: 0800 298 7650. Their helpline would be able to talk with you about your concerns on drugs used in the the treatment of RA. I'm currently on a Biologic (with no apparent side effects) having previously been helped by several of the drugs mentioned in your replies.

If I get jittery about a new drug I remind myself of two things: (1) that RA left alone is likely to do far more damage to my body than the possible side effects of the drug I am taking and (2) if I do suffer from serious side effects then there is now a whole raft of drugs and another drug or combination of drugs will be available to help dampen down this disease slowing it progression. Jude

[farjer121]

Hello, Jacqui and thanks for yr post to my question.

Your Rheumo may want to slowly increase mtx doseage to find out if this may help. But be aware there is something known as Chemo Brain associated with such drugs... I think this is whats messing with my memory amongst other things.

The other Biologicals are I think the Anti TNF drugs such as Humia, which I have been on since 2009... My resilts were brilliant at first being able to cycle again but in the last year things gave tailed off dranatically.

Everyones different and you need to have tried all other conventional treatment before being cobsidrred if uour NHS Trust supports it. MTX is usually given with Humira... I am on 25mg of MTX and self inject Humira twice a month.

Try to stay positive.

[Hidden]

direct answer: No. "damage" is not a side effect.

[cathie]

One thing to remember is that pain can cause brain fog as well as meds. But the meds do stop the RA damaging your joints. I've always been very carefully monitored, but have learnt to keep a careful eye on my blood results. Bit of a learning curve for me, but its worth it.

[Hidden]

I cant take MTX in strongly allergic to it, im on Biologics have been for years, and they really help with the RA, im on SIMPONI (golimumab) now and have been for 2 yrs and my RA is in remission.