Melanoma and Rheumatoid Arthritis

DMR
DMR Member Posts: 1
edited March 2014 in Skin Cancer #1
Last November I had a mole removed from my back and was faced with melanoma. In December I had a wide excision and sentinel biopsy. The biopsy showed a trace of disease to one node. In January I had 26 nodes remove, all clean. So far everything has been going pretty well with checkups. However, I also have rheumatoid arthrits and was treating with a drug called Humira. What a wonder drug it completely took away the pain, stiffness and inflammation of the arthritis, but at the same time probably contributed heavily to the onset of the melanoma. Since late January I have been off all medication for the arthritis except Motrin. Until a couple weeks ago I was doing really well, now the achiness is returning and it's like a bad memory. Anyone out there who may be dealing with something similar? My oncologist will let me go back on the Humira for "short" periods but I don't want to push the panic button if what I am experiencing is only a flare up in my wrist and hand. Anybody????

Comments

  • Waving
    Waving Member Posts: 43
    #2
    There is an excellent website called MPIP (Melanoma Patients Information Page) at http://www.mpip.org
  • emanuel41
    emanuel41 Member Posts: 2
    #3
    wow!!dmr:MAY 26 2000 I WAS DIOGNOSED WITH MALIGMENT MELINOMA .A MOLE ON THE LOWER LUMBAR OF MY BACK SOUND FAMILIER ON MAY 31 2000 I WENT FOR WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A 45 MINUTE OUTPATIENT SURGERY 6HOURS LATER THEY FINISHED THINKFULLY GETTING ALL OF THE CANCER BUT IN TURN LEAVING ME ALMOST IN A CRIPPLE STATE OF PAIN WITHOUT MEDS I HAVE BEEN ON OXYCOTIN FOR 4 YEARS BESIDES MILD SIDE EFFECTS I CAN LIVE A HALFWAY DECENT LIFE UNLESS I OVER EXCERT MYSELF PHYSICALLY IN ANYWAY HAVING 4BOYS DOESENT HELP .LOL.BACK TO THE PAIN SUBJECT I NEVER HEARING OF HUMIRA BEFORE IAM GOING TO ASK MY DOCTOR SOUNDS. LIKE A WINNER TO ME..AS FOR FLARE UPS ALL OF MY PAIN STAYS IN MY BACK AND SHOULDERS ,AFTER SURGERY MY STITCHES BURST OPEN FROM UNDERLYING INFECTION FROM PRE SURGERY DOC GIVING ME NO ANTIBIOTICS LED TO ME LYING ON MY STOMACH FOR 3 DAYS WAITING FOR A DRAIN TUBE TO GET PUT IN SO AFTER ALL THE SCARING AND SEMI HEALING FRIENDLY ARTHRITIS TOOK OVER... WOW!! BETWEEN NERVE DAMAGE AND THAT HUMIRA SOUNDS LIKE A MIRACLE DRUG TO ME... ITS GOTTA BE BETTER THAN MY MEDS NOW....
    I WILL HOPE PLUS I HAVE 3 OTHER SATTILITE MOLES ON MY BACK THAT ARE NOW TURNING MALIGMENT !!
    HOPEFULLY LASER SURGERY THIS TIME WELL HOPE THAT YOUR PAIN DOESNT WORSEN ANY CAUSE MOTRIN DOESNT CUT IT WHEN YOU HAVE DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS THRUOUT YOUR BACK AND NECK SORRY ABOUT ALL THE BAD MEMORIES OF PAIN!!!! CAUSE I STILL LIVE THEM EVERYDAY OF MY LIFE MY ONCOLOGIST HOOKED ME UP WITH A PAIN MANAGEMENT DOCTER 4 YEARS AGO BEFORE THAT I LIVED ON PERCOSET FOR A YEAR ALMOST RUINING MY LIVER AND KIDNEYS THINK GOD SOMEBODY KNEW WHAT PAIN I WAS GOING THRU WELL I HOPE I COULD SHED A LITTLE LIGHT ON IT FOR YA ..,.,.,.

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