Well it looks like I'm doomed to live in pain.... : (

[artsyamerican]

Well it would appear Methotrexate is not working. On top of my inflammation markers being sky high again - my liver enzymes are up - yikes. Rheumy taking me off it. He was going to try the Humeria type drugs but he said I would have to have a TB test - and I told him I couldn't because I always test positive - even though I don't have active TB - I've been exposed to it. Sadly - Humeria and drugs like it can activate dormant TB cells and he said no way. So....he gave me a few shots and gave me Celebrex to try. Basically - I feel fu**ed - a life of chronic pain awaits me - yippee.

[lolo1979]

Hi Artsy,
I'm sorry to hear that the methotrexate didn't work for you.  Try not to get too down about it - maybe your body just isn't ready for it just yet. Perhaps in a few years you can try again and it will work great. Bodies and medicine are funny that way.

But I would also suggest finding a good pain clinic in your area, and perhaps also a functional medicine doctor.  I am currently looking into the functional medicine docs myself. Not sure what all your symptoms are, or how aggressive, but have you talked to your rheum about some of the "bigger guns" like cellcept or imuran?  Or would those also be contraindicated because of your TB?

Also, are you trying any natural supplements yet? Turmeric, fish oil, d3, etc? Those have all been shown in studies to help lower inflammatory markers, but I believe you'd have to take them consistently for a while before they make an impact.

[topping21]

Marijuana.......

[Joe S.]

artsyamerican, if you are willing to try Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM) to manage pain, there are some alternatives that I use that help me. They may help you. I can not take MTX or Plaq. I do take alternatives.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis - INFECTIONS, INFESTATIONS, AND IMMUNE SYSTEM

Tuberculosis - LUNGS AND RESPIRATION

Tuberculosis
CAM: Juice
Treat: Carrot 10oz, Spinach 6oz; or Carrot 12oz, Dandelion 4oz; or Carrot; or Carrot 10oz, Beet 3oz, Cucumber 3oz; or Carrot 7oz, Celery 4oz, Parsley 2oz, Spinach 3oz; or Horseradish & Lemon: 1 whole lemon to 1/4 pt.(4oz.) Horseradish ground but not pressed; or Carrot 9oz, Celery 7oz -Note: if celery tops (greens) are used, then change the proportion to 10oz Carrot and 6oz Celery; or Carrot 9oz, Celery 5oz, Parsley 2oz; or Carrot 8oz, Celery 5oz Radish 3oz
Note: The result of excessive mucus in the system causing the propagation of the tubercular germ, which by its presence and mode of existence is destructive to the tissues in its proximity. Cows milk, both the raw and the pasteurized, is probably the most mucus-forming food used by man, and such mucus is the natural breeding food for such germs. Probably more tuberculosis results from using pasteurized milk than from any other cause.

Tuberculosis
CAM: Reiki
Treat: Head, neck, spine 
Note: back of Head, which incidently Rxs abscess of organ distant from Head

Tuberculosis
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 8030, 16000, 1840, 1600, 1552, 1550, 1513, 1500, 803, 802, 784, 740, 727, 720, 690, 666, 583, 541, 369, 216, 20
Note: also see Tuberculinum. Some think some chronic lung infections can actually be a mild case of TB and recommend to run a TB set periodically, especially after traveling on airplanes and/or abroad. 1552*, 802*

Tuberculosis (pulmonary phthisis)
CAM: Tones
When there is little or no fever
a. Lemon {494} [22] and Orange {440} [6, 15] systemic front.
b. Orange {440} [6] on 17 (not used in scrofula).
c. Indigo {622} [44, 45] on areas of suppuration or effusion.
d. Purple {562*} [63] on 4-5 if with pulmonary hemorrhage (see attribute [63]).
When there is fever
e. Stop tonating Lemon {494} and Orange {440}.
f. Depending on fever level
Turquoise {554} [33] systemic front, or
Green {523} [32] and Blue {587} [39] systemic front.
g. Purple {562*} [60] on 4-5 if fever is high, systemic front if very high.
h. Indigo {622} [44, 45] on areas of suppuration or effusion.
i. Purple {562*} [63] on 4-5 if with pulmonary hemorrhage (see attribute [63]).
Note:  All Colors also may be tonated on 17 if case is critical.

Tuberculosis Rod Form
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 803

Tuberculosis Virus
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 1552
Note: same as B-Coli

Tuberculosis aviare
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 303, 332, 342, 438, 440, 532, 3113, 6515, 697, 698, 720, 731, 741, 748, 770

Tuberculosis bovine
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 229, 523, 625, 635, 838, 877, 3353, 748, 757

Tuberculosis klebsiella
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 217, 220, 221, 686, 1132, 1644, 2313, 6516, 729, 748

Tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands
CAM: Reiki
Treat: chest, heart, liver, stomach, intestines, groin, lungs, spine, kidneys
Note:  the very area

Tuberculosis rod E coli infections
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 799, 802, 804, 1550, 1513

Tuberculosis rod form
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 8030, 369, 583, 541, 802, 803, 1513
Note: 803*

Tuberculosis rod, virus
CAM: Chakra
Treat: root 20, heart 800

Tuberculosis secondary complications
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 776, 2127, 2008, 465

Tuberculosis virus
CAM: CAFL
Treat: 2565, 1552
Note: 1552*

[artsyamerican]

Thank you guys! Marijuana! LOL! I just said that to my son about an hour ago.  Well I'm on Fish oil as well as Vit D.  I'm hoping this celebrex at least helps while he figures out another plan.  Oh..and he told me no more Tylenol- not even Hydrocodone - which is my last resort ace in the hole! 

[harlin]

Artsyamerican

I am so sorry you are having so much pain. I have come to the conclusion that this is the pattern that we are going to live the rest of our lives.

I take 8 Methotrexate a week and a Plaquinell everyother day. It doesn't seem to help. I guess it really does. If I would stop it I would hate to see where I would be.

I am afraid to take the Embrel or those kind of things. Side effects can kill you. I am holding off as long as I can. I thought I was going into a remission but I guess not.

The grandkids keep me going. I don't seem to notice the pain when I am with them.

Love and blessings, harlin

[Katybarstool]

ARtsy

I have been taking 200 mgs of Celebrex each day for about 4 years. I've found it very good - I have nothing like the pain I used to have, which is wonderful.

Good luck with it.

Kathyx

[Autoimmunity]

Artsyamerican

I am so sorry you are having so much pain. I have come to the conclusion that this is the pattern that we are going to live the rest of our lives.

I take 8 Methotrexate a week and a Plaquinell everyother day. It doesn't seem to help. I guess it really does. If I would stop it I would hate to see where I would be.

I am afraid to take the Embrel or those kind of things. Side effects can kill you. I am holding off as long as I can. I thought I was going into a remission but I guess not.

The grandkids keep me going. I don't seem to notice the pain when I am with them.

Love and blessings, harlin

I am taking simponi and yes, side effects are scary, but you have to weigh your symptoms against possible side effects.  Without it, I think I would have killed myself by now, because the RA pain was so severe, no pain medication even touched it.  Not to mention I would pretty much be crippled and unable to get out of bed.  I hate it, but there are no good options here.