Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...
So, I have a 2 month follow-up appt. w/the Rheumy tomorrow. This is a little over 2 months since starting MTX. I have been having some worsening side effects but I'm not sure if they're really side effects from MTX or not.
Been having a lot of nausea (occasional vomiting), diarrhea (but I also have IBS), dizziness/lightheaded, and I'm still having a LOT of pain/fatigue. The last time I called the nurse @ the Rheumy office said if the symptoms continue, they may have to stop the MTX.
I feel like it is helping some, though, I'm not sure how much or if the results outweigh the side effects. I was going to talk about adding a biologic or switching to a biologic.
Anyone else have any advice as to what questions to ask the Rheumy?
Been having a lot of nausea (occasional vomiting), diarrhea (but I also have IBS), dizziness/lightheaded, and I'm still having a LOT of pain/fatigue. The last time I called the nurse @ the Rheumy office said if the symptoms continue, they may have to stop the MTX.
I feel like it is helping some, though, I'm not sure how much or if the results outweigh the side effects. I was going to talk about adding a biologic or switching to a biologic.
Anyone else have any advice as to what questions to ask the Rheumy?
I am currently taking 20 mg injectable MTX per week. It took me from Oct. to Jan. to get to that dose and I did feel any benefit from it until then. I started out at 10 mg and had to increase very slowly. I am far from symptom free but I can feel the difference. Maybe ask your rheumy if you are at what would be considered theraputic dose yet.
Good luck and I hope you feel better soon! ~ Lori
Thanks for the advice. I will definitely ask for about the injectable form of MTX. I believe I interpreted your question correctly about being at my therapuetic dose. I am on 20mg/week and that is the highest dose he wants me on. I started at 5 pills/week and worked my way up to 8 pills/week. I have been on that dose (20mg) for 6+ weeks now.
my doctor also said 20mg/week is the highest she will put me on. i also asked about other oral DMARDs, and she said the other ones wouldn't work as well as this. but this one isn't working much at all. so i'm confused about it...
My Rheumy explained MTX to me like it is a good "foundation" drug that does give positive results for a majority of patients who use it and then if it isn't giving enough relief, it is already a "foundation" for biologics (like Humira) which together can cause a greater impact for the positive vs. biologics alone.
I'm going to ask about injectable MTX and a biologic today. We'll see what happens.
Is it sad that I'm actually looking forward to my appt. today?? LOL... I just want some relief and I've been waiting for 2 months to talk to my Dr. about symptoms... I'm glad my appt. is finally here! I HATE waiting to get relief :(