Hello again!
Is it unusual to put someone on a immunosuppresor and anti-TNF medication?
No, it seems to go by waves. They(GI in general) were doing it at first, then the new fashion was mono-therapy and, as far as it is discussed in congress here, my GI seemed to say that the new fashion was again to use both a immunosupressor and a biologic to maintain the effectiveness of the biologic as long as possible as many patients tend to develop anti-tnf antibodies quite quickly.
1. The double dose of immune suppression making it so I get sick more often.
I have to say that I did not take both for long because I quickly got stuck with UTIs... I did not catch cold or other infection though even though it was the flu season and I know I have been around people that were sick.
2. Having to undergo both an infusion and a weekly shot. Is it possible to take the methotrexate pill or is it just not good because it doesn't absorb?
At first, it is preferable to take the MTX by shots rather than pill for a matter of absorption. Once the treatments kicks in and that the disease is more controlled, it is possible to switch and take the MTX pill. You have to be aware that the injection are likely to be more easy on you than the pill. By that I mean that, since injections are not directly digested by your digestive system, you are less likely to have nauseas from it. Some people can digest it just fine, but it is not the friendliest medication to have per os. I understand that shots can be annoying but I can at the least tell you that they are nothing compared to humira. They really don't sting. Small consolation, I know...
Also, I don't know if you ever had methotrexate before but you gotta be careful with alcohol intakes as it is already hard on your liver. I have been told that drinking on occasion was fine. One resident told me that the "safe" amount was a max of 3 consommations/week. But it is preferable to avoid it as much as possible. Also, you want to be careful when dealing with antibiotics, there is a vast list of them (and other med) that will cause the MTX blood levels to go up. I'd suggest you to always double check with the pharmacist when there is a new prescription. From my experience I can tell that all dr are not familiar with these interaction and then I would get a big frown from the pharmacist who would then call the DRs lol. And And; keep up with the folic acid. Everyone seems to have its way of prescribing the folic acid. I had to take 1mg every day but the injection day but this differs from a doctor to another.
3. I was allergic to humira so I'm afraid to react to remicade.
I'm afraid I can't tell much about that part. I would maybe try to make sure they "treat" you prior to injection. I've read quite a few time people telling they were receiving benadryl and what not before receiving their infusion. Maybe it would worth talking about that with your GI, maybe he will feel it's careful to proceed that way?
