DMARDs for Arthritis Q & A

I am taking Methotrexate for RA. I read that there is a small risk of it causing cancer. Can you tell me what type of cancer it might cause. I have relatives on both sides of my family with cancer. Could this increase the risk of me getting cancer from MTX?

I am on MTX, Prednisone and NSAID. I am anemic, RA and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Ohter wise healthy. I hardly ever get a cold or the flu. This is the first year on these medications. Should I get the flu shot this year?

I was diagnosed with RA last week by a rheumatologist. My internist had referred me due to 3 months of joint pain. I also have multiple sclerosis. The dr. said that he wasn’t sure what he was going to put me on, as MS pts. want high T-cell counts and lowering T-cells is better for RA. Are there treatments out there for people like me, who have both RA and MS? Right now I am on prednisone. I also take daily shots for my MS.

I have newly diagnosed RA with high RF and Citrulline antibodies. My Sjogrens Disease ( 8 yrs duration- dry eyes, dry sensitive skin and mucous membranes, peripheral neuropathy ) is further complicated by multiple pollen and chemical allergies. Arava 10mg/ da, aggravates my Sjogrens symptoms with urticaria, angioedema, plus skin rashes. I am also taking 3.5 mg Prednisone/ da and would like to stop because of fluid retention. What other DMARDS would be better or combination thereof.

since I increased my Methotrexate from 12.5mg to 15mg then to 20mg per week I got a rash on my wrist and the other hand has no rash but is very itchy. The itching is causing me to wake up at night. Is itchy rashes a side effect of methotrexate as I increase the dose?

I need to ask a question concerning the Remicade treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis. My sister is trying the Remicade for the second go round. The first time see only made it thru three treatment sessions because she experienced some breathing problems. Her new doctor has recommended that she try it again and this time she experienced breathing problems again on the second treatment. What are the side effects of this treatment? Her doctor still wants her to continue taking the treatments and now she is fearful to continue. I am a little skeptical about this treatment because it appears to be putting my sister at risk. The treatments are done in a doctors office and no one was in the room with her when she was experiencing problems. Is this a normal problem with the treatment. How can I get more information on this treatment?