Rheumatoid arthritis question

[...JR]

my mother has this problem and it has only been getting worse. The advil her doctor suggests she takes to relieve pain doesn't work very much and most of the actual RA drugs don't work. There is a shot she can get to help her out, but it costs $1000 a week and well, it's not covered very well by her insurance. My question is, is there any other alternatives for her, such as marijuana or other treatments which would lessen the pain. Does anyone here suffer from this or know somone, and if so, how do they handle the pain? I feel so helpless and it hurts to talk to her iver the phone while she's in tears so any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

edit: I've already done some research on it, but nothing has help so I'm trying to see how othes treat pain when all else fails.

 

[Jeff Corey]

Have you tried http://www.arthritis.org

 

[El Greco]

There is a shot she can get to help her out, but it costs $1000 a week and well, it's not covered very well by her insurance.

Is it Enbrel ? If it is I know several persons who are doing very well on it.

 

[Dr. Imago]

RA is a progressive, destructive autoimmune disease with damaging effects that sometimes, even with the best of treatments, can only be minimized.

A good rheumatologist should be able to discuss the various options with her. There are a lot of newer therapies out there that are indeed quite expensive, and other older ones that work that a fair less effective but occasionally efficacious for some folks (gold salts, etc.). Most of the latter, though, have a lot of side effects and many doctors these days will not even consider their use these days. Some have subsequently been shown to have a marginal benefit-to-risk ratio.

If cost is an issue (don't know if you are in U.S. or Europe), then you should know that many drug companies have programs that can minimize the cost based on need. You just have to meet their criteria, which can often be found on the manufacturer's website. Likewise, most insurance plans (in the U.S.) will pick up the entire cost of a medication once the yearly deductible has been met. There may be other stipulations, though (the medication is necessary because she's failed other therapies, it has to be on their formulary, etc.).

I wish you and your mother best of luck. Needless to say, I've seen firsthand the "swan-neck" deformities in patient's hands, large nodules in major joints, and other debilitating effects of this disease on folks. It is truly a terrible disease, and one that may require surgery down the road if medical therapies fail to halt its progression. I hope she's able to get the treatment that she needs.

-Dr. Imago

 

[Elizabeth I]

There are a lot of newer therapies out there that are indeed quite expensive, and other older ones that work that a fair less effective but occasionally efficacious for some folks (gold salts, etc.).
-Dr. Imago

Although I know anecdotal evidence is immediately suspect my sister-in-law had terrible RA and gold salts stopped it in its tracks for her. (Of course, it didn't reverse already existing damage, but the course of the illness has been halted as far as she - and her doc - can tell.) She has also had surgery on her hands and feet - extreme, but again, effective for her.

 

[...JR]

Is it Enbrel ? If it is I know several persons who are doing very well on it.

yes it is enbrel, and my mom has already had one shot and she said it was as close to perfect as she's felt in a long time. I looked at their site and it would seem that she could get it covered by her insurance, but unfortunately, only about $100-200 is covered.

I'll just remind her to ask her doctor to discuss ALL options available and keep researching on my own. Thanks for the help ya'll.