Kickas.org Forums Rheumatoid Arthritis General Discussion #1 RA Web Support Group How many AS members have a diagnosis of RA?

it's always interesting what each of us is afraid of, maybe it depends on our past histories?

for me, since i had an experience of severe nausea (literally felt like i was going to hurl any moment for the few days i was on it) to a sulfa antibiotic and have ongoing gastritis to manage, i'm a little concerned i'd have stomach issues on the sulphasalazine. and due to my gastritis (and ulcers running in my family), i'm even more concerned about taking the MTX. on the other hand, there is no reason to believe i'd be any more likely to have issues with the biologics than the next person and i've heard so much good about them (unless someone develops an infection / sensitivity to them or they lose their effectiveness, so i'm less fearful of those. my rheumy would have let me try the sulphasalazine or MTX but he and i both believe i'd have gastro difficulties with them, and he won't consider the biologics based solely on symptoms. however with that said, he did let me try LDN (cheap and safe) and though its not the miracle that others swear the biologics are, i think it has helped me some and i have literally no side effects from it. another thing you might want to consider. though no proof yet for RA that i remember, its safety and price make it a low risk thing to try (so long as one is not taking narcotics or ultram). but i also know you are a careful, thoughtful person that researches and weighs all your decisions, one of the things i appreciate in talking with you.