Here’s the back story. I became dependent on Fioracet with Codeine, which was prescribed to me for nearly 3 years (stress induced headaches). Anyway, I quit taking them because I moved to a different state, thus ending my relationship with the doctor that prescribed them. At the same time, I had two separate dental procedures within a 2 week period and was prescribed Percocet on each occasion. After recovering from the oral surgeries, and going through the prescribed pain pills, I began to feel the effects of opiate withdrawal. It was HELL. A friend of mine told me about Suboxone and how it could ease my withdrawal pain. So, after the fourth day of misery, I went to a licensed Suboxone doctor and got a prescription. It worked great, and I felt back to my old self. I didn’t want to be on the drug very long, but a week later I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis by my primary care physician.

On my next trip back to the Sub-Doc, I told her about my new diagnosis and she told me to stay on the Suboxone because it also helps with pain. So I stayed on it for 21 months until I could no longer afford it. IRONY – the withdrawal from Suboxone lasted 4x’s as long and was at least 2x’s as intense as my previous withdrawal.

So, now that I’m off of everything (except for Humira injections for my arthritis), and in constant pain, I wonder if the stigma of Suboxone will prevent a doctor from prescribing me pain relief, which I feel I need. Keep in mind, I didn’t tell the doctor that I was ever on Suboxone, but they knew (Big Brother?). When the doc brought it up, I felt like I was instantly scrutinized. I also felt shame for the first time. Any one have any advice, suggestions?

I just got my first shot of Humira for my suspected psoriatic arthritis on Friday and I had a question. For those of you that take it or have knowledge about it, I know that it lowers your white blood count. People in my house are sick quite a bit during the year, so other than screenings (which I obviously will be getting), how do I protect myself? Supplements? Immune-boosting foods? What are the chances of me actually getting a serious infection?

i cant believe the stuff is sooo crazy, i hope someone can share pain relief secrets or something…someone who actually has it…thanks
nice to hear from everyone, im 27 years old and RA hit me real hard 7 months ago, about two weeks after the birth of my 3rd child, i first thought that i had slept on my shoulder wrong because it was a little sore, but within 3 days i couldnt move my arms at all, then like clock work, my arms, wrists, hands, knees, and feet all started to shut down on both sides of my body, and the pain was just unbearable, i was in and out of the doctors, thought i was suffering from post partum depression, and tried to put me on prozac lol, i refused to take it cus i had a feeling it was ra, because i watched my grama suffer for many years…….so within a month i was diagnosed, i was first given prednisone and it immediately cleared up everything except my wrists and hands, i have been taking prednisone and methotrexate, and i started on humira about a month ago, its only 1 shot every two weeks and i can already feel a world of difference!

I’ve just been diagnosed with PsA and my rheumatologist wants to put me on mtx or enbrel/humira. i think im going to try everything i can before i turn to enbrel/humira because of the cancer thing. if i were to be on those i would have lots of anxiety about developing cancer. anyways just wanting to know if anyone has taken the methotrexate and got good results. also did it help your spine??? my doc said that it wouldnt help the spine…. is there any other meds that have helped?? thanks in advance!!

I was diagnosed with RA 6yrs ago, I am currently taking Methotrexate and Humira. They are maintaining a low level of comfort, but it’s better than nothing, I am just curious what some other people are trying. Is anyone using a herbal remedy that is working, a certain diet that is helping them. My current treatments work, but it would’nt hurt to have some more options.

I have Psoriatic Arthritis, and currently take 40mg Humira injection once a week, and have been on it for over a year now. Prior to that I was on Remicade infussions, and prior to that was Enbrel with Methotrexate. They are now saying that people who take Humira or Remicade are 2-3 times more likely to develop several types of cancer. Has anyone developed any problems from these medications yet or has your rheaumatologist taken you off of it because of the risks?

Thank You

I was on Humira and during the 3 months I was on it I was so tired all the time I could barely function day to day. I also had a constant headache and felt like I had the flu for 3 months. I experience severe weakness in my arms and legs. I will probably get recomended for Enbrel and was wondering if anyone switched and what the results where. I have sever psoriatic arthritis and am in terrible pain. I have not taken anything for my arthritis for 2 months.

My girlfriend and I have sex about once or twice a week on average. She has juvenile arthritis and takes humira. My mom got pregnant with her first child (my older brother) when she was on birth control. One of her other medications knocked it out. I am just wondering, is it possible that Humira can knock out the birth control? I don’t know for sure, and we don’t use condoms because I’m super sensitive and cannot feel a thing with them. I really hope that Humira is okay with birth control.

Thanks.

I have psoriatic arthritis. The meds control the psoriasis but not the arthritis very well. I often wonder if taking these meds is worth future effects. Most of the time I feel fatigued and very sore. I also take 4 high blood pressure meds. I hate taking so many meds, and it’s very expensive. Is there anyone out there who has taken the methotrexate and enbrel injections for any length of time? I would like to know if you have experienced any adverse effects. I am not interested in switching to humira or remicade b/c my insurance does not cover them. I am also interested in any feedback from other psoriatic sufferers.

I’ve just been diagnosed with PsA and my rheumatologist wants to put me on mtx or enbrel/humira. i think im going to try everything i can before i turn to enbrel/humira because of the cancer thing. if i were to be on those i would have lots of anxiety about developing cancer. anyways just wanting to know if anyone has taken the methotrexate and got good results. also did it help your spine??? my doc said that it wouldnt help the spine…. is there any other meds that have helped?? thanks in advance!!