Rebif and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 8:09 am
Anybody have any other autoimmune disease diagnosis while taking Rebif?
Here's my situation:
In 2003, I was diagnosed with MS, optic neuritis being the only physical symptom. Now in 2011, in addition to MS, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, another autoimmune disease. I believe Rebif is the link.
I first took Rebif from 2003 to 2008.While taking Rebif, I was severely depressed but combated that with prozac sufficiently. However, in 2008 I started to be frequently sick (colds, flu, viral infections), and decided that my immune system must be too suppressed. Self-diagnosed, I took myself off of Rebif. I still continued to get annual MRIs for baseline data.
In November of 2010, more lesions appeared and I restarted Rebif. My symptoms were similar to my experience in the past, until the end of December. After approximately 4 weeks on the drug, I started to experience a much different symptom. I began having painful, red, feverish swelling of my joints. I had a hard time walking, and could not sleep because of the pain. I saw my neurologist at the beginning of January 2011, and went to a half dose (22), 3xweek. I was given the first test for rheumatoid arthritis. I continued that dosage for 1 week until I could no longer stand the pain. I went off of Rebif. On the 10th of January, I was given the CCP test for rheumatoid arthritis. Both test results were extremely positive. I am now on RA meds. I was told my dad's father had undiagnosed RA. I believe there is some connection with Rebif exacerbating my RA latent genetic tendency, bringing it to the forefront. There was no other change during this time. It seems extremely coincidental
Here's my situation:
In 2003, I was diagnosed with MS, optic neuritis being the only physical symptom. Now in 2011, in addition to MS, I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, another autoimmune disease. I believe Rebif is the link.
I first took Rebif from 2003 to 2008.While taking Rebif, I was severely depressed but combated that with prozac sufficiently. However, in 2008 I started to be frequently sick (colds, flu, viral infections), and decided that my immune system must be too suppressed. Self-diagnosed, I took myself off of Rebif. I still continued to get annual MRIs for baseline data.
In November of 2010, more lesions appeared and I restarted Rebif. My symptoms were similar to my experience in the past, until the end of December. After approximately 4 weeks on the drug, I started to experience a much different symptom. I began having painful, red, feverish swelling of my joints. I had a hard time walking, and could not sleep because of the pain. I saw my neurologist at the beginning of January 2011, and went to a half dose (22), 3xweek. I was given the first test for rheumatoid arthritis. I continued that dosage for 1 week until I could no longer stand the pain. I went off of Rebif. On the 10th of January, I was given the CCP test for rheumatoid arthritis. Both test results were extremely positive. I am now on RA meds. I was told my dad's father had undiagnosed RA. I believe there is some connection with Rebif exacerbating my RA latent genetic tendency, bringing it to the forefront. There was no other change during this time. It seems extremely coincidental