DMARDs for Arthritis Q & A

I am considering Rituxan to treating RA. I do not take Methotrexate but instead take Arava. Do you know of adverse effects of Rituxan in combination with Arava or the lessened effect of Rituxan without methotrexate? I appreciate any ihformation that you might have on the subject.

I have RA/Lupus/Sjogren’s. A year ago I received Rituxan with good results. My symptoms are beginning to return. Recently, my husband died and I am more emotional than normal. I am concerned about receiving prednisone again as it affects my moods. Does Prednisone always have to be given with Rituxan? I had no problems with the infusions last year.

I am going to start Enbrel in August. I was wondering who usualy shows me how to do the injection? A nurse, family doctor, my rheumatologist, or some type of clinic?

Is the SureClick Enbrel prefilled pen in any way better/different (maybe cheaper?) than the regular Enbrel injection? When would you suggest that a patient uses the pen rather than the seringe? I heard the pen will be available soon.

My 8 year old son has polyarticular ANA negative arthritis and started on Enbrel one year ago, in addition to methotrexate. He has recently developed uveitis that is proving difficult to control with topical steroids. I understand the enbrel may be causing the uveitis. How likely is this? He has done so well with his joints on Enbrel it would be a shame to discontinue.

I’m a 44 year old woman with a 20 year history of severe non-responsive RA. Having been through all of the other biologics my rheumatologist feels it is time to move on to one of the new drugs. I have no known allergies and luckily have not had any previous serious side effects. I am currently on Arava and have just been taken off Remicade. In your clinic’s experience which drug seems to be more quickly effective or shown to be non-effective faster?