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...

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RCross 03/19/2013

I had my follow up with the new rheumy today and he's dx'd me with RA. At least I was prepared to hear it as my pain doc and PCP and already told me I had it.

We're doing a prednisone burst for 5 days while waiting on lab work/chest x-ray clearance to start methotrexate. He addressed my concerns over side-effects and has assured me that we're not going to trade pain/swelling/joint stiffness/etc for other things. If I have side effects we'll try a different medication.

I wanted to thank all of you for answering my questions and providing encouragement and feedback. This forum, y'all, helped me more than I could ever explain. Thank you.

trishcorsi 03/19/2013

Glad your mystery is solved. Now you get to have solutions. I started mtx in Feb and have some improvement I also take 2 Meloxicam at night for inflammation. Today there is a storm coming in so I am a little stiffer-barometric pressure does have an affect. You are smart to start on the mtx, I waited5 months (that were painful) before I would take it; mainly of fears of side effect. Thus far I haven't had any. Just be aware take them like Friday, so if you get hit with extreme exhaustion (I guess that is a side effect) know that it will be gone by Monday. Good luck kiddo. Trish

RCross 03/19/2013

Thanks Trish. I've nervous about the side effects too...but I've got to do something. Pain is really starting to affect my life and mental well being. Not sure I can get any more exhausted...hahaha! I'm not looking forward to the first dose but hopefully after that first one I'll have a better idea of what to expect.

salsmypal 03/20/2013

I started mtx on January 1, so it's been about 2.5 months. The first time I took it (after I read the package insert) I had to take a xanax to calm myself before swallowing the pills! But I too have had NO side effects. My rheum started me at just 2 2.5 mg pills a week, and I am now up to 6 pills a week. To be honest, it hasn't really made any dramatic changes -- the prednisone has been the only thing that helped, and I'm tapering off that now.

My doc says my RA is "aggressive" and "progressing quickly," and that to me means I'm not messing around. I hope that as early as next month she green-lights the biologic (Enbrel probably). Anything we can do to prevent joint damage! I sure hope that the mtx is side effect free for you too! Good luck! Julie

bluedogs2 03/20/2013

Well, now you know and the wait is over. I am glad that you will finally get some releif. I hope you have a really easy day.

Christine26 03/20/2013

Hi RCross, at least now you have a diagnosis and something to work with. That is a start. Hope everything work out for you. Do you have pain meds on board just in case?

RCross 03/20/2013

Thanks everyone.... I ready to start feeling better. I do have pain meds that I can, and do, take everyday but I'm hoping to someday be able to put those aside. Only time will tell.

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