I've been allowed to go on to a different class of drugs all together. They are called biologic agents or tumour necrosis factor alpha blockers (but could be inhibitors). I have an injection once per fortnight, and I'm actually doing quite well with it. Unlike the mtx, they have started working very quickly (did anyone mention that it may be 6-8 weeks before you start to see results from taking mtx?). So after my very first injection I actually had my first pain-free day in years. Get a few more injections in and I'm almost making it to the end of the two weeks before I get sore. I inject tonight and I've woken incredibly sore, but that's ok. I know relief is coming, and quite soon too.

I've just found out I have a liver condition which means I can no longer take things like prednisone and must avoid all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, so I'm now down to only paracetamol and codeine for pain relief, so it's a good thing I've got these biologics going or I'd not be able to move at all. There's very strict rules for who qualifies to get these drugs - two injections have a full cost of $1774, but because of my PCC I only pay $5.60. Could you imagine paying that much for medications every month?!?!

BW