New here

By chrisshaw

Last Updated:

1 min read

I am new here today and wanted to ask a question.

This past year I was diagnosed with breast cancer, did chemo, radiation, and a double mastectomy. On the day of diagnosis, the doctor told me to immediately stop my Humira injections.

Chemo kept my RA in remission and now I am on nothing and in a lot of pain, and my RA doctor won’t put me back on biologics, so he suggested a lesser strength 2 drug regiment of Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine. He wanted me to get an okay from the eye doctor to take the drugs, which I did.

Is anybody familiar with this type of treatment after cancer? Also would love to hear any suggestions or helpful hints in dealing with my RA. Thank you so much.

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RHall Community Admin
Last Updated:
Hi ChrisShaw - sorry you're experiencing so much pain without being able to take the biologics you were previously able to take. For your safety, we aren't allowed to provide medical advice over the Internet. But other community members might have a similar experience that could be useful. I personally don't so I can't speak to that. You also mentioned wanting helpful hints to deal with your RA. Is there a specific area that would be the most helpful (for example treatment, mental health, handling changes to social life, etc)? One area that might help is I am pointing you to our Coping With RA hub - it's a collection of articles and information that could be a good starting place. <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/coping-with-ra' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/coping-with-ra/</a> Also, this thread may help as well - "What RA Treatment Are You On After Cancer?" <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/q-and-a/treatment-after-cancer' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/q-and-a/treatment-after-cancer/</a> Thanks for reaching out and I am also hopeful you get additional perspectives too. Warmly, Reggie (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member)
Jo Johnson Member
Last Updated:
Wow, Chris. That is quite a year and my heart goes out to you. I have read about concerns with cancer and biologics but I am not knowledgable. It is terrible to have an entire arsenal of medications taken out of your plan. I sense from your post that you are a fighter, and that will pay off. The DMARDS you mentioned have been used for many years and some people have done well on them. I would consider speaking with both your oncologist and rheumatologists about some of the complimentary approaches: physical therapy, massage, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, biofeedback, etc. I'm not suggesting these are curative, but I believe it's important to find supportive measures that are within you control and may help decrease pain or inflammation. I'll keep you in my thoughts, and please update us on your path. Jo
mojomary Member
Last Updated:
I have never had cancer, but took Hydroxychloroquine for a decade in 1980/90's for my RA. Back then I took it with 12 enteric coated aspirin and gold shots. It helped with my symptoms, but did not stop RA joint damage. I had regular eye appts, but it never caused and eye related damage.
Richard Faust Community Admin
Last Updated:
Hi ChrisShaw. I know the issue of RA treatments after cancer treatment is difficult and often confusing. I can tell you that my wife, Kelly Mack (a contributor here), was kept off biologics when they first became an option due to a skin cancer scare. She was treated with methotrexate (for a long period of time) and hydroxchloroquine (it didn't agree with the methotrexate). I also want to share with you this article from our contributor Mariah on research that found that biologics do not increase the risk for former cancer patients: <a href='https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/clinical/cancer-risk-biologics' target='_blank'>https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/clinical/cancer-risk-biologics/</a>. This is one study and each case is different, but it may be worth discussing with your rheumatologist. Wishing you the best and please feel free, if you like, to keep us posted on how you are doing. Richard (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team)