I have had a lot of times where my elbows hurt. Maybe the methotrexate alone isn't enough for you. You see rheumy in two weeks but maybe you should call them and let them know what is going on.

Ask about Meloxicam or Medrol, I think its the same stuff. It is an anti-inflammatory. I do have an elbow that gives me fits too, now it has a permanent protusion. It does make it hard not to be able to rest your arm on anything; I found if I lay on my left side on the couch can dangle it over the cushions or over the edge of the couch arm. Fun huh!? Trish

Thanks! I too do the dangling thing! I did email the doc last week and she did say it was probably time to add something to the mix, as MTX alone doesn't seem to be doing it.

I have had this very, very painful. I am new to all this, only been on Enbrel 3 weeks. I do remember primary giving me Predisone in Jan. or Feb. and it helped some. Thankfully it has calmed down and I have not had it to bad since. I have only been experiencing RA symptoms for 8 months now, just(officially) diagnosed in April. I am sorry you are going through this, hard to sit, lie down or be comfortable at all, I hope it calms down soon.

Thanks MaryK, it really is painful. I did not realize how often my elbows are in contact with things!

Lol, me to! funny how you never notice how much parts of your body do things until it hurts. Hope you feel better very soon.

My elbows were the last thing to swell up when I first started having symptoms, but they have been in permanent flare since then. It is very difficult, since it limits everything I do with my arms, and it is very painful. You might try a little heat on them, it does help me. Also, make sure you are bending them and putting them through their full range of motion DAILY. You'll have to sweat through the pain, unfortunately. Mine were so swollen and painful that I never opened or closed them fully for a couple years, and now I've lost about 10-15 degrees of motion permanently, despite some length physical therapy. Sorry you've got that problem--nothing about RA is fun, but this has been my personal nemesis, so I get how you're feeling :(

Thanks Spring, that is good advice. I do try and stretch them out, and I will try and do that more consciously going forward. I am sorry that others have this too, but happy to hear that I am not alone. I am trying to stay off the prednisone until I see the doc on the 21st. Hopefully it won't get worse.

@Trish--
Meloxicam and Medrol are two different meds. Meloxicam is also known as Mobic-- its a prescrition NSAID. Medrol is a steroid often sold as a Medrol Dose pack-- a kind of steroid tapering kit.
HTH.

First let me say, LOVE your photo!!!
Yes, this can be VERY painful, went through a long patch of this, but did get to the other side eventually. Bending & straightening in the tub, shower, pool, etc. makes it a little easier to accomplish but important to do. Also I have found using these :bean-bag" type pillows like the travel neck type or bolster type work well to rest elbows on. It gives support without pressure. I never ride in the car without them.

Thanks lowwina, that is my girl Vivian. She is a three year old standard poodle and registered therapy dog.

The bean bag pillows are a great idea! I was trying to figure out what I could use on the arm rests of my work chair. and I bet that would work well.

I've been to Hell and back with my elbows. A heating pad seems to help- hot as you can stand, 3 or 4 times a day, 20 minutes or so each time.

yes Mam, we find out just how much we use our elbows without thought when RA hits them. just every other dang joint.

I presume you can see in the mirror if they are reddened? Even if it isnt the elbow is sometimes an 'attack' areas. If you can get some sort of arthritic cream or gel to tide you over until you see a rheumy the pain may ease off.

I had a reddened and painful elbow about two years before diagnosis whose significance was missed. Didnt have much more trouble until into the disease two years when nodules appeared. RA can be causing issues without too much pain so the fact that you have that pressure on it pain is a warning.

I know that there is research that shows MTX works best in combo with another dmard.

I also have 'camp' pillows, bought at Walmart, that I find to be quite helpful around the house-- I use them as props in bed, the recliner, etc.