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 everyone, I am really unsure as to my next move and wanted to see if others had run into this situation. I have been attempting to take Plaquenil for the past year, but haven't been great about complying with the recommended dosage due to the stomach upset and cramping that it causes. I am only able to take a very small dose which doesn't help to fully control the RA, and then have had to rely on low dose Prednisone for flare-ups. My Dr. wants me to consider trying Methotrexate (possibly the injection method to prevent stomach symptoms).
Honestly I'm terrified of trying MTX after reading the potential side effects, but I'm beginning to think I might not have a choice. I've asked to try the brand name versus generic Plaquenil in hopes that may not have as many side effects, but any other suggestions or experiences that anyone can share would be helpful. Thank you.
Honestly I'm terrified of trying MTX after reading the potential side effects, but I'm beginning to think I might not have a choice. I've asked to try the brand name versus generic Plaquenil in hopes that may not have as many side effects, but any other suggestions or experiences that anyone can share would be helpful. Thank you.
Good luck to you!
I had gastric bypass in 2009 so I wish he would have had me on injections right from the start. The first injection was 17.5...then he jumped me to 25 mg and the 3rd injection really messed me up last week. I do it on Tuesday mornings and feel fine all day. Figured if there are side effects let them hit later (usually 10-12 hours) so sleep through much of them but I woke up Wed feeling like I'd been hit by a Mack truck. HORRIBLE!
BUT! I have a theory on that! My stomach may not have been absorbing the oral doses as good as it could have been. So getting the MTX right into my blood system at the highest dose was a wake up call to my body. I'll let you know tomorrow as I just took my injection 15 minutes ago.
Now I must say yesterday I felt GREAT! No pain, barely any stiffness, energy etc. But it took Wed to Friday to feel normal this time. Then I tend to always over do weekends so Sunday night I was hit with debilitating fatigue.
I think the MTX injections are going to be a huge relief in my RA life. All you can do is give it a shot. I can deal with the mild fatigue and brain fog the next day but as long as I am good by Thursday then feeling like crap one day a week is worth it to not hurt and be able to function.
Good luck!
I am learning from my peers that MTX works differently on everyone which makes total sense but I just wasn't expecting for it to have such an impact on me. I am changing my exercise lifestyle knowing I have to keep moving not just as rigorous as I used to be. It's a journey so hang in there because for me the side effects aren't as debilitating as the disease.
I live in MO now and boy I sure miss that AZ dry heat and my swimming pool. They can keep their pollution though. :-)