hi I've just been diagnosed with RA after suffering for over a year and wish I'd just buried my head in the sand as today I was sent home with medication which I have to take 6 of tonight and I'm terrified I'll get some awful side effect that I can't bring myself to take them 😔
Do take them - I know it seems overwhelming at first, but for many of us, the drugs really, really work and could help you short term and long term.
it doesnt seem to matter what age you are. im 35 and diagnosed with psoriasis arthritis. you can get it any age. what medication have they subscribed? im on sulfasalazine. believe me once you take it your life will improve. good luck
Thanks Jo your right it does seem overwhelming, I'm going to give the medication a go tonight hopefully I'll sleep through any slight side effects.
Thanks Jayne, I've been given methotrexate, I'm just not used to taking medication and feel very panicked by it but I really need my life to improve, my hands and feet are so painful most of the time also I'm tired and irratable .
You're doing the right thing taking the mtx in the evening. I used to try and have a quite day planned the next day. Make sure you take your folic acid as prescribed, keep hydrated and have regular blood tests and you should be ok
Hi
what medication were you given?
Hi Susan, methotrexate (MTX) takes a while to work but, though a strong medication, it really works for RA and is seen as the 'gold standard' for treatment as it prevents joint deterioration. I don't have RA but have a close friend who does - and it has been a life- saver for him. He has no disfiguration in hands etc and lives a normal life. He says that the first few months were awkward as he had to get regular blood checks as had some mild side-effects but then it all settled down. He's now on it for 6 years. We ALL worry about the side-effects of meds. - I'm taking a very strong drug for osteoporosis (brittle bones) and I've had many a sleepless night worrrying about horendous side-effect but eventually realised that, for me, there was no choice and just had to get on with it. If you experiece bad side-effects from MTX you can always stop the med. and get advice on an alternative. Good luck, and don't panic. Kind regards, J
Hi
sorry just read mtx. Where you on steroids first to calm it down or put straight on mtx?
Put straight on mix . I've just taken them so fingers crossed it'll be ok and all my worrying will be for nothing.
Should have put mtx
thank you Irevenden I have been given folic acid too but not had chance to start on them yet as today was the first day of treatment . Having blood tests in 2 Weeks the
n again 2 weeks after that but hopefully it'll be worth it as I already have damage in my toes and swelling in both hands .
thank you Juno I already have some disfiguration in my hands especially the left one so really hope this works for me . I do feel more positive now having read the replies I've had so far .
Hi Susan
There's no doubt about it: RA sucks. I'm 50 and was diagnosed last summer. I'm probably not the best person to ask about MTX, but for some, it really helps. I started on Leflunomide which helped the pain in my feet immensely. After 4 months I switched Doctors and was put on Methotrexate. I personally don't like it. It brings on nausea, diarrhea on an almost constant basis and my hair falls out like crazy. To top it off, it doesn't help with the pain as much as the other drug. But everyone is different, and even everyone reacts differently to the medication so definitely give it a try. It can take 3-4 months to really make a difference, but you should definitely see some immediate relief as well. Good luck and please keep us posted on your journey!
Really understand where you are coming from. Suggest you spend a bit of time researching MSN as a more natural way to heal. I believe that given the right foods your body will heal itself. Best of luck with your quest.
Foods very high in magnesium and magnesium oil (i make this myself--absorbed directly and quickly sprayed on body daily) along with a daily magnesium mineral supplement is what got me completely off mtx and made all fibromyalga disapear (having fibromyalga for 3 yrs before figuring this out). I could not get this help or knowledge from doctors on this, but discovered this thru researching. Blood labs do not show your magnesium deficiencies, as all magnesium except 1% is suppose to be stored in muscles and bone unless it is depleted. It is very important you take calcium, d3, and a good multivitamin with high b complex vitamins, along with folic acid, and very preferably fish oil as nutrients need each other, in order to be absorbed into the body, so that hormone levels are balanced, and cortisol levels are in balance, which all play into RA and fibro symptoms.
My exp and research has shown not to take magnesium oxide, as it is very poorly absorbed, greatly affecting absorbancy levels of other vitamins and nutrients-- but instead, magnesium glycinate which is highly absorbing. Research how magnesium oil is made and greatly absorbed. It is extremely simple and hugely beneficial.
Know just how you feel. I never took any medication for anything until diagnosed last year with RA at age 62 . It s really hard to come to terms with , but helps to know other people who have been there but are now improving. it s important to take the mxt as it's one of the meds used to hold back the progression of the disease which is so important if you have joints already affected. The blood tests will show if the mxt is having any adverse effect and if it's reducing inflammation so you will be closely monitored. But they also rely on patient feedback, so do keep a diary of any changes of pain or parts of the body affected.
Methotrexate being a chemo drug helps some people. It did not for me, and the doctor agreed, as it does lower our immune system and can and does induce other systemic infections, and caused me to be in chronic pain, feeling so much worse. Its a very personal decision for you and only you. I was in far to much pain and misery on methotrexate, and the last serious dental jaw (tmj) trauma was the final straw for me, after 5 months on this treatment. The tmj is now a very painful and permenant disability. The literature that comes with this from the pharmacy was a very helpful and working closely with my RA Internist doctor. You need to listen to yourself and body, and make your own decisions. Since stopping, i no longer have chronic infections and systemic pain. After taking the dental antibiotic augmenton, having serious dental extractions, and getting off the mtx, 80 to 85% of my pain subsided- going on 3 yrs now since this time.
Hi Susan,
Quite a variety of replies here. To add to the confusion, I'll agree with some of your other replies....... For me, I managed to get better with serious diet and supplement programme. No grains, gluten, dairy, legumes or sugar and lots of vegetables, coconut oil and eggs. Supplements include msn, magnesium, probiotics, omega 3, digestive enzymes, D3 & K2.
Seems like a lot but I am well now and without drugs. Hope whatever you do works for you.
All the best of luck