laura
I was diagnosed with RA in 1996. I currently take Enbrel, Arava, Celebrex and Prednisone. I was diagnosed with diverticulitis in 09/2000 and had gall bladder surgery in 06/2001. If I have a diverticulitis attack or anything that causes an infection or fever, they do stop the Enbrel and the Prednisone so as to not keep my immune system suppressed. As soon as the white count in my blood comes down or fever goes away, they return me to the regimen that is truly helping. Because I have just had a 3rd DVT and 2nd PE and am on blood thinners, they are going to discontinue me on the Celebrex because of the risk of stomach bleeding. I am currently taking Prevacid to try and prevent that from occurring. I also take MSM and antioxidants to "holistically" help my system deal with the attack of the RA. RA is a pain that is difficult to decribe to anyone who has not experienced it. You need to find a good rheumatologist to work with you on finding the combination of drugs that will work for you. It has taken over 5 years to find this combination that works for me.... they tried me on everything else, except Remicade and penicillamine... but I have tried ALL the others, methotrexate, gold injections, all the NSAIDS, azulfadine, plaquinel, you name it, I have tried it.