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...
Hi, In three weeks my husband I will be leaving on a 14 day trip to Europe with 9 days being on a Baltic Cruise. I was diagnosed with RA in June, have been on a prednisone, now tapered down to 5mg, and on Monday I go back to the Rheumy and he has said that he will start me on MTX. I will share with him that we have this trip planned and see what he says about starting the methotrexate before I leave, but I thought I would ask those of you who have started it, what you think?
The prednisone helped so much initially; other than I could not sleep and wanted to eat ice cream all day long :) but with now at 5 mg I am hurting again and really tired at the end of a work day.
Were side effects bad when you started MTX? My thoughts were that I would take it on Saturday night so I can recoup on Sunday and get back t work on Monday. That being said, while we are on the cruise both our "at sea" days are on Sundays so I could keep that schedule and not really need to do anything very strenuous on Sundays while on the trip.
Thoughts from those of you on MTX?
Peggy aka Poodlemom
The prednisone helped so much initially; other than I could not sleep and wanted to eat ice cream all day long :) but with now at 5 mg I am hurting again and really tired at the end of a work day.
Were side effects bad when you started MTX? My thoughts were that I would take it on Saturday night so I can recoup on Sunday and get back t work on Monday. That being said, while we are on the cruise both our "at sea" days are on Sundays so I could keep that schedule and not really need to do anything very strenuous on Sundays while on the trip.
Thoughts from those of you on MTX?
Peggy aka Poodlemom
your plan sounds good ..enjoy your cruise ...for myself ..only my opinion. your plan seems well thought out and a very good plan ...we went to southern Italy before i was finally diagnosed .. it was fun..but you might want to avoid some of the local foods and wines etc....i made the mistake of enjoying Italian wine and it made a few dasy pretty sketchy ..have a great time and be safe ..oh and try to rest .. cruise is a perfect place for chilling out ...
I went to Europe too when I first started MTX, was not a problem because my dosage starting out was still low (4 pills a week).
My side effects of being wiped out & being nauseated did not start until I was on a higher dose of 8 pills plus 2 other Dmards thrown into the mix.
My niece just got back from a Baltic cruise and they also went to Petersburg and loved it. Would go again in a second.
Hope you have boatloads of fun!
Or don't go on the trip.
I couldn't image going on such a trip with my RA. I can hardly make it to the grocery store and back.........
When I started MTX, I was all prepared for the horrid side effects. But they didn't happen. The worst I got was a bit tired the next. I would take the trip just as you have described. Have a great time, rest when you need to and enjoy!
Kathy
I would skip the mtx too. Not sure if you drink wine or beer. But you can drink very little on the mtx. I wouldn't want you to miss all the fine wine and cheese. Yummmmm
Or stick to your plan, it sounds pretty good. But me....I would want to have fun. Mtx is a nasty drug. Even in shot form that stuff really dragged me down for a few days.
Maybe he can give you a couple cortisone shots in the places that hurt the worst. Those not only help the pain, but give you a super boost of energy for weeks.
Lin
I'm so jealous =)
actually i started mtxt 4 weeks ago and i was fully prepared for the side effects, but nothing happened. i did pretty good. (its raining today, so i am in pains/fatigue).
i really dont know if its good to start mtxt before the trip or postpone it. bcoz mtxt works different for everyone.
its just a 14 days trip, i would definitely postpone and JUST ENJOY THE TRIP. GOOD LUCK.
My concern would be that something for pain might be helpful as you see now that you are weaning down from the prednisone and you are hurting again. You won't know how you will react to a certain medication until you try it. It will take a while before the MTX kicks in. Which ever way you decide to go to start MTX or postpone until you return, have a safe trip and enjoy yourself.
What a great opportunity - cursing the Baltic - Wow -
As to the MTX, For me when I started with 5 pills, the 1st does was evil in that a mystical fog set in about 3 hours after the dose and lasted about 36 hours. MBDs2 tells me that I was rather incoherent during that time with no appetite. I was in some pain when I took it (hand, arms, legs and toes) all my joints pretty much.
As the doses have gone by the MTX seems to really be controlling the pain allowing me to stay off other meds. I am FULLY engaged with my rheumy with exams and bloodwork every month. Oh, folic acid everyday.
As I see it and in my opinion, if you can stay off until you get back and the day to day pain is tolerable then don't start. You are going to be eating different foods and you don't want to be wondering if a problem is indigestion or meds.
Just go have fun and enjoy - there are some absolutely beautiful sites to see
Be well and travel safe
Bluedogs2
Bluedogs2, I have to ask: did autocorrect help you with that one, or did RA fingers do that all by themselves?? Damned Baltic anyway!