[Beautiful_Pain]

Had one today. I got a 'booster drug' thats supposed to up the effectiveness of the methotrexate and enbrel both. Its Plaqinil (I would have to look at the rx to be sure of spelling). Drug developed for treating or preventing malaria? Quinine derivitive. Dr Smith told me that if I had wanted to go to East Africa, now is the time, since I can't contract malaria LOL But if this doesn't boost mtx and enbrel enough, he is looking at one of the IV administered drugs. We're hoping tribal health/bcbs won't make too big of a stink.

I now see him only every 6 months instead of every 2, which is great as his office is over an hour away from where I live. So Sept and Mar are my rheumy appoint months is all I finally got the copies of my lab work from this year to give my pcp. I'll have to check with him to see if he has my xrays and mri from nov 05...he may he has the lab work from then. *shrugs* And I'll finally be caught up on how my body is doing, from a medical standpoint

[Rhapsody]

Hello - I have been taking Plaquenil for about 6 or 7 years for my RA and it has been working fairly well.... the only draw back is that you have to have your eyes checked once a year to make sure that you are not going color blind, but don't worry its usually rare and you have to be on the medicine for over five years (or more) for any toxins to take place within your body.

Good Luck....


LoVe,
Rhapsody - ((( hugs )))

[Beautiful_Pain]

Dr had mentioned that as well, but it doesn't sound too bad =) Especially if it helps, like we are hoping!

How long have you had RA and when was it dx'd?

We figured I've had it since 2000/2001 but only got dx'd late last year (approx 10 months ago). So we are still in the seeing what helps and adjusting stage. Hope we find something to boost me out of continual pain, which both docs (rheumy and pcp) think is likely to help with the depression part of my disorder. =)

[Rhapsody]

I have had arthritis since I was 12 years old (39 now) and I was Dx with the RA ten years ago.... I have plenty experience in the PAIN department and at the present moment I am on 3 different arthritis meds and 1 painkiller - I take life as it comes at me, some days I can interact with life and on other days I have to rest and take it easy.... some times sleeping the day away.


LoVe,
Rhapsody - ((( hugs )))