bummer, hon.  when you are through with arava, then will you be able to try
something newer?

kate

Hi Rose, sorry to hear about the troubles with Remicade...  I was on
Arava (twice).  I'd have said both times that it wasn't working, until
I was taken off of it.  I hated what it did to my liver, even using
Milk Thistle (150 mg twice a day).

I've been on Enbrel for 5 weeks (6th week shot is this coming
Wednesday).  I noticed a difference right away (the next day).  So far,
so good.  I hope, pray, sing, that you can be put on to it quickly.  So
far, touch wood, I have had no negative effect.

Humira hit me "off stride" almost imeediately (started with injection
site reactions and butterfly rash on the face then moved upward and
onward to neurologic problems with vision, balance, taste).

I believe my insurance wanted me on Arava for a minimum of 6 months (so
long as liver levels were alright).  I think I lasted about 5.  I hope
with your coverage that you can be switched within a couple of months
if the Arava doesn't work.

You have my utmost sympathy with the pain.  I've been there, almost
exactly like yours (except mine is the bottom of my feet feeling like
I'm walking on broken glass...  isn't that a line from a song?).  Yes,
I've been tested for diabetes (negative and a bunch of other stuff as
well).

Smokie Darling (Annie)

{{{rose}}}

well, then now there's a reason to come of the Arava and start on Enbrel
I would think? Before the RA gets any worse and will do even more damage
to your joints? I am sorry you have to go through all this

Nikki

Wow! The biggest concern of course is for MI or stroke. Read the
following:

In studies involving large numbers of patients, CRP levels seem to be
correlated with levels of cardiovascular risk. In fact, CRP seems to
predict cardiovascular risk at least as well as cholesterol levels do.
Data from the Physicians Health Study, a clinical trial involving
18,000 apparently healthy physicians, found that elevated levels of
CRP were associated with a threefold increase in the risk of heart
attack.

In the Harvard Women's Health Study, results of the CRP test were more
accurate than cholesterol levels in predicting coronary problems.
Twelve different markers of inflammation were studied in healthy,
postmenopausal women. After three years, CRP was the strongest
predictor of risk. Women in the group with the highest CRP levels were
more than four times as likely to have died from coronary disease, or
to have suffered a nonfatal heart attack or stroke. This group was
also more likely to have required a cardiac procedure such as
angioplasty (a procedure that opens clogged arteries with the use of a
flexible tube) or bypass surgery than women in the group with the
lowest levels.

CRP Risk for Cardiovascular Disease
Less than 1.0 mg/L Low
1.0-2.9 mg/L Intermediate
Greater than 3.0 mg/L High

from: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/101/106045.htm

So a reading of 100 would be very significant. I have looked for more
information regarding these numbers, but there is none that is really
specific. I have seen info regarding CPRs at or above 100 in cases of
severe trauma such as following thr, where there is a period of very
high crp, with a peak of about that level, followed by a sharp
decline. Therefore in those cases it would be relatively normal to
have a CRP that is that high.

The danger for coronary problems increases when there are also high
cholesterol readings.
According to

CRP is also indicated in the development of hypertension.

C-reactive protein was significantly associated with an increased risk
of developing hypertension in all prespecified subgroups evaluated,
including those with very low levels of baseline BP, as well as those
with no traditional coronary risk factors. Similar results were found
when treating C-reactive protein as a continuous variable and
controlling for baseline BP.

    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.

30 mgs i think it is.
    Rose   @}>->--
    Being educated means that rather than fearing the unknown, one seeks to understand it. RB

    Please remove "Ima" to reply.