BC and Rheumatoid Arthritis

BLinthedesert

BettyBoo, I am not sure why biologics would be contraindicated after chemo - I haven't read anything that would suggest that (although it doesn't it mean the literature doesn't exist, I just haven't seen it).

My guess would be if you had chemo that was metabolized in your liver, then MTX would be contraindicated because it also is metabolized in the liver, but the TNFa drugs are not -- so I don't see why one would preclude the other at all. My RO was worried about the biologic risks to recurrence, but that also seems to have been debunked.

I hope you all have pain-free days. My flares (when my treatments fail) are getting worse and worse - I am trying to stay positive, but it is hard for sure.

okbecca

I've got both RA (since I was 16) and asthma. So far, the asthma has been the big worry, mainly because of my fears of radiation damage to my already damaged lungs. Both of them flare when I'm under stress.

I have no wise words, except that my experience has been that getting cancer docs to look at me as a whole person with a medical history rather than just a cancer has been an exhausting battle. I hope the rest of you fare better than I have in this regard.

BLinthedesert

I have been so lucky. I have a great medical team for both my cancer(s) (including some non-melanoma skin cancers) and my autoimmune diseases (PsA and ulcerative colitis): RO, rheumatologist, dermatologist, GI, and my PCP. They all work together - they all co-ordinate my care, and send each other important information based on the most up-to-date information (for example, my rheumatologist just sent my PCP guidelines regarding screen for cardiovascular diseases for people with PsA, and which vaccines should be avoided when on the biologic drugs).

I can't stress enough the importance of being comfortable with your medical providers -- if you don't feel you can go to them to have your concerns addressed, or if they don't provide you with information that *you* need to make *your* decisions, then you need to find a better provider.

warmest regards, and best wishes.

elitediagnostics

Awesome news

Motherofall6

diagnosed with ra in 2005 I had come to love enbrel... once chemo was starting I had to stop enbrel. My rheumatologist said I can go back on when chemo is done as it’s been proven that enbrel does not cause breast cancer. I did pain free during a/c chemo , now that I have done 8/12 taxols I’m getting joint pain back again. Anyone else get joint pain back during chemo 😒 I don’t even want to think cancer has found itself to my hop