Question
Hi
I am 61 years old and I抳e suffered from Rheumatoid arthritis for the last 14 years, I抳e been taking Methotrexate for about ten years, I抳e had bad flare ups in the last 12 months and just had an operation for Carpul Tunnel Syndrome, I抦 hoping to keep working until I retire at 65.
I抳e been assessed for Enbrel but don抰 think my local authorities will prescribe it for me because of the cost, I抳e always responded well to an injection of 120mg Depo-Medrone this is only when things get bad usually about 6 monthly intervals or longer, is there any danger in this because if I抦 not prescribed one of the newer medicines I fear my health will get much worse.
Regards
Mike


Answer
Michael.

There is little danger in Depo-medrone injections. This is a brand of methylprednisolone acetate. It is a drug that is tolerated well. Most people who use it take it orally on a daily basis to prevent inflammation from getting to bad.

There is a danger in having flare ups to often. The risk is of permanent joint damage. This can happen even if there are no flare ups but the risk is higher.

Rusty