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 been off Prednisone for almost 3 weeks now. My Rheumy has me on a 6 mtx injection (I have been on mtx for 3 months ) He has upped my Folic Acid to 5 mg a day because of hair loss.
My stiffness seems to be getting progressively worse since I have been off of prednisone. Actually, most of my body feels like I have deep bruises everywhere.
I have had severe burning pain on the back of my thighs when I am at my desk for an extended period of time. This lasts for hours.
When I was first dx I was having more pain in my hands and feet. That seems to have subsided - although a discomfort is still there.
Sooooo, my wise friends......was the prednisone masking all of this?
In your opinion have I been on mtx long enough to know if it is working?
I see my Rheumy again on Dec 19th Until then............... :)
My stiffness seems to be getting progressively worse since I have been off of prednisone. Actually, most of my body feels like I have deep bruises everywhere.
I have had severe burning pain on the back of my thighs when I am at my desk for an extended period of time. This lasts for hours.
When I was first dx I was having more pain in my hands and feet. That seems to have subsided - although a discomfort is still there.
Sooooo, my wise friends......was the prednisone masking all of this?
In your opinion have I been on mtx long enough to know if it is working?
I see my Rheumy again on Dec 19th Until then............... :)
didnt someone mention hamstrings the other day?
i get some pain sometime, behind thigh, more upper....from sciatica!...from the back issues
i guess 3 months is enough time for mtx to work....but hang onto that predn around the holidays...
when i get lower on my dose..i have to get some 1 mg prednisone pills too
Yes, Prednisone gives great relief from the pain and stiffness but it isn't a long-term drug.
MTX can take a looooong time to kick in for some people. I can only talk on a personal level but MTX at 25mg (= 10 oral tabs in USA) took 11 months to kick in for me and control my RA only partially. The Rheumy tried 3 other drugs with MTX but I had such severe reactions I had to come off them.
Ask your doctor about adding something else - maybe a biologic if you qualify. Unfortunately, the RA Beast can appear in any joint when least expected and doesn't have to be symmetrical.
I have had that severe burning pain in the groin area since last Saturday. Saw my GP on Thursday and he said it was probably brought on by doing too much - as in a long walk in the city and then carting stuff out for a clean-up collection on Mon and Tues. I had forgotten just how painful it is so I really feel for you.
Hope your Rheumy visit goes well
Hugs
Good luck and I hope you find relief soon.