Arthritis New Treatment..........

[Vix3n]

O.K this is a long shot but.... I am due to start a new arthritis treatment which is an anti- TNT treatment, it's called Enbrel which has to be injected twice a week. O.K can deal with that but... it causes the immune system to go to sleep(for want of a better description). My question really is Does anyone else out there receive the treatment and if so how do they feel it alters their involvement with horses?
I have been told that if I have broken skin I must stop treatment as it could cause a serious infection(Brambles, thistles,etc) how much of a problem will they cause?
I'm having a right panic at the moment, couldn't possibly ever have a break from horses again, nearly destroyed me last time.
As much as I hope people out there don't have to go through what I have ,I selfishly hope someone can offer me some hope and some of their experiences:o

[Afellpony]

I have arthritis - but after reading your post about this new treatment, I would be very loathe to use it. It seems to cause more trouble than it cures! I generally use alterntive therapies which seem to work. Also, Yoga helps as the stretching seems to eleviate most of the pain. I'm not over enthusiastic about swelling the coffers of the petrochemical industry via their dubious medications.

[Vix3n]

I am at my wits end. I have tried so many treatments, I totally exhausted my health shop, tried all sorts of different exercises(been doing gentle yoga for 9 years now :() Had accupuncture for pain relief, tried bee sting treatment(which made me cry like a baby) but didn't work, had reiki(sp) my cousin is a human and animal chiropractor and refuses to treat me any more. 4 times since xmas I have been taken to casualty by my OH cause the pain was just tooooooo much to bear. Hospital treatments I have had have been CRAP, methotrexate, sulphosalazine, together with voltarol and tramadol and codiene and morphine. I'm so desparate if anyone has any suggestions please help:confused:

[Rhein]

Hi Vix3n. So sorry to hear that you have such bad arthritis.

There are new treatments coming out all the time, but the downside of many can be that they do have side effects; sometimes quite severe. Having said that you must weigh up the advantages and disadvantages according to your own arthritis and needs. Often people like you (that is; with severe arthritis) find that almost any of the side effects are better than the constant pain and disability of their arthritis.

I don't know very much about this particular treatment, but I can find out for you if you'd like.

Don't panic - it doesn't necessarily have to be bad or that you will have to give up horses :)

[Vix3n]

Thanks guys for your your replies. Like you said rhein it is about weighing up the pros and cons. This treatment doesn't worry me as far as the ( increased risk of cancer, depression,TB ETC) however its just the broken skin, stopping treatment, nasty blood infection thing that worries.Almost every day I seem to have a new cut or scratch of some description. I have already been in hospital for a few weeks with septicemia(wasn't a Mum then though)10 yrs ago and nearly died. God I sound like a right drama queen now,it's just i'm due to start it tommorrow and guess i'm having cauli wobbles!! think I need to go to bed and sleep on it.

[domane]

Hello... I used to be a receptionist for the Rheumatology dept at Ipswich Hospital... am not medically trained but I remember Enbrel being the new wonder drug (6 years ago)... it doesn't work for everyone but the lucky ones had transformed lives.... I think you should try it to see if it works and how much better you feel from it. Then you can give a balanced opinion on whether the good outweighs the possible side-effects.

Good luck :)

[Bronya]

Try just covering up as much as you can, so wearing long sleeved shirts (not a prob in the winter;) ); gloves all the time, not hacking too near anywhere with branches that might cut your face.....

Just see how it goes, anything that might help is surely worth trying.:)

[hormonalmare]

Hi there! I've been having anti-TNF treatment (different drug to you, but similar) for some weeks now, and I have to say it's life transforming. Give it a go and see how you get on, but I found the pain completely disappeared and it was like being reborn. There are some side effects, but they're a breeze compared to arthritic pain.

I'd suggest you wear heavy duty rubber gloves for field and stable work to avoid the chance of an infection from a scratch.

Best of luck to you, and I hope you get some relief.

[Vix3n]

Thankyou for your replies and thanks hormonal, you have really given me some hope. You read all the promotional stuff on these drugs but theres nothing like a personal experience to encourage positivity.
Once again thanks guys :)

[Faerie Rider]

Hi V

I have sero-negative arthritis and am on voltarol and co-codamol at the mo....so can't be much help I afraid...just wanted to wish you good luck with the treatment and just be careful with yourself..I haven't heard of the Endel was it..sound a bit scary but if you read any drug description..even a packet of paracetamol it can sound terrifying....try and find out as much as you can first..and tell the Dr if you are worried maybe he will be able to shed some more light on it.

Good luck and best wishes
FR
xx

[artemis]

Good luck with the new meds. I would be interested to know how you get on.
I have RA & may need a change of meds soon - had to have IV steroids a few weeks ago in order to function. Fortunatly my friend sent her daughter up to help with the horses.

[Darcys-girl]

If you do get cuts or broken skin use tea tree oil or antibacterial hand gel - apply as soon as you notice the cut should help to reduce the chance of infection. Hope all goes well - if you dont try it you will never know. Keeping fingers crossed for you:D .

[Zimbah]

Hi Vix3n, I hope it's ok by the mods to post website addresses here, but you could have a look at www.creakyjoints.com. It's for young (and youngish!) people with arthritis and they have some really good forums, there are quite a few people there who have taken Enbrel so they might be able to give you some advice and help reassure you.

Zimbah :)

[Vix3n]

Wow, thanks for the replies and for the website!:) I was supposed to be starting it this week, it was delivered to my house and I rang the hospital for them to give me a time to go in and for them to show me how to inject the stuff. Anyway, when I got there my doctor thought it was wise to wait till a few of my scratches healed a little more.
So probably in a week I should be able to start it, I will keep you updated, I really hope that i'm not one of the 20% that it doesn't work for. This flaming weather is crippling me:mad:
Thanks guys:)

[suesue]

My Mum had rheumatoid arthritis when she was alive and was often in pain. My Dad found an interesting book in the library - The Arthritic's cookbook by Dr Collin Dong. He had contracted arthritis at an early age and was confined to a wheelchair. He studied the chinese diet and found that certain food can irritate and cause arthritis pain. he cut out certain things, including monosodium glutamate, acidic fruit (oranges, lemons, tomatoes, grapes), red meat (beef) and spices and his pain decreased to the point where he could play golf!

My Mum didn't follow the diet, as she was stubborn, but whenever she ate steak, oranges, or anything spicy she was in agony the next day, which told us something! It might be rather bland, but might it be worth a try?

[artemis]

I have tried stopping certian foods & it doesn't appear to make any difference to me. I know that it helps some people though - always worth a try.

[Vix3n]

Unfortunately I am already on a wheat, lactose, gluten, caffiene and alcohol free diet and have been for a long time. It really seemed to make a difference at first and I had a realitively good summer but as soon as the weather changed I was back to the usual symptoms.
I have tried everything that has been recommended to me and will continue to try everything that people suggest.( I could restock holland and barrett for month solid..:p )
Any suggestions always greatfully recieved:)