re: Psoriatic arthritis, causes and treatment.

quote:

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My SO just switched from methotrexate to a new drug.

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What's the drug? Is it a biologic? I know there's a relatively new drug out there, but I can't recall the name. My dermatologist suggested it to me in the past year, but I declined because Enbrel works so well for me with no side effects other than a bruise now and then at the injection site. It burns like you're injecting lit gasoline into your leg, but I learned from the psoriasis site to ice the injection area well and sometimes, I don't feel it going in at all. If I do, it's moderate. That form really helped me a lot.

While I waited for the Enbrel to be okayed, I took prednisone for a very long time. I had to wean off of it once I got the Enbrel. I hate prednisone because of the side effects, but it took care of the pain and I was perfectly clear while I was on it. I think it takes a while for the Enbrel to start working. I started off taking the injections twice a week for several months, but since I was still taking the prednisone to wean off of it, I don't know how long it would have taken for the Enbrel to start working. It was working fine when I took the last of the prednisone.

Some folks take a biologic AND the metho. Thankfully, I don't need both or I haven't, so far. The Enbrel works so well that I have to remind myself to take the shot. I spread it out a bit in the Winter months because I do better in Winter. Heat bothers me, so I don't skip weeks once the warm weather comes around.