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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Lori57703 10/30/2013

As you all know I was planning on taking my first dose of MTX on Friday night so if I felt bad a day or two after I would be off work. Well I started it tonight after all.

I came home early from work today because I was exhausted. Luckily, my job allows me to work from home once in awhile. I was home working on the computer and my right hand/wrist really started to hurt so I stopped. I ended up taking an hour nap.

When I woke up my right wrist and hand hurt really bad and was noticably swollen. Not red or hot though. I cannot bend the wrist down. It hurts to try but I physically cannot make it bend down. What the heck?

Do any of you have problems with waking up with unexpected pains in different places? This is the worst it has been but I have noticed that all my joints ache everyday but one always seems to be worse then all the others. It seems to change almost daily or at least every other day.

So, this scares me and I decided to start the MTX tonight instead of waiting until Friday. I know it won't start working right away and it really doesn't matter if I would have wait 2 more days but at least I feel like I am doing something to fight this!

Kimberley97 10/30/2013

Yes Lori mine plays musical body parts. Not always just upon waking. I can be walking through the store in fair shape or as good as I get and bam it can suddenly feel like some one just smashed a finger or knee or whatever with a sledge hammer. Intense excruciating pain can't move it then as quick as it came on it can disappear. Others have shared that prob here in the past. But the aches move around too u think my RA his attention deficit disorder and gets bored in one spot to long. Lol. But there are a few places that give me a fit almost daily like my hips. Hope you feel better and the mtx works well for you without too many nasty side effects. Blessings, Kim

Lori57703 10/30/2013

Thank you, Kim! It is amazing how crazy this disease can make you feel. I appreciate your quick response and reassurance I am not totally crazy. I love "my RA has ADD". That is just too funny and I can totally relate to it.

Hope you are feeling as well as you can! Lori

altoclef 10/30/2013

Yes, they ought to add it as a game in the state lottery or at the OTB parlor. Will it be the right hip or the left knee today? Go for the quiniela: right wrist and/or big toe on Wednesday and/or Thursday! Try for the perfecta: Hip on Sunday, knee on Monday, and finish up on Tuesday with the neck!! You won!

Too bad there's no prize money.

Lori57703 10/30/2013

Thank you, autoclef! I love the humor and really need it right now. I normally have a very ordered and predictable life. I know this is boring for many but after raising an autistic son for the last 20 years it is what I am used to. Not knowing what is going to hurt or work from day to day is really cramping my style! If I at least knew what was going to malfunction I would adjust fairly quickly and accept it. This may take me a while.

I'm sure you have all felt this way but I am OVER this and don't have time for it! I know I don't have a choice and my journey has only just begun. I just have to say that once in awhile.

Thanks again for the laughs, responses and support. Lori

altoclef 10/30/2013

Lori, I saw a greeting card not long ago with a b & w photo of a fifties-style matron in a wingback chair. the caption: "Middle age is when the phone rings on a Saturday night and you hope it's not for you." I know what you mean about having had enough excitement.

trishcorsi 10/30/2013

Just gonna send you hugs! I think all of the posts thus far speak volumes, all I can say is thank God for humor (I'm pretty sure humor has no joints). Trish

LynnRivers 10/31/2013

As the disease progresses you'll find that the pain becomes more consistent... you'll have one particular area that will cause you the most problems. The disease playing hopscotch around your body tends to happen more in the beginning until it really settles down into a pattern.

For me its chosen to attack the lower half of my body more severely and more often.

I remember in the beginning it would change so frequently that I thought I was nuts - that I might be imagining the pain - this was of course before I was diagnosed.

stephgas 10/31/2013

i'm glad lori posted this question - i hadn't even thought about it. but dh was asking me why it seemed like every day something else hurt. it's always my wrists, hands, hips, but the other day i work up with serious shoulder pain. and just this afternoon i was grocery shopping and out of nowhere my left ankle was killing me.

and i'm like you too - i've settled into a fairly ordered life. i don't really appreciate things i can't plan for, and this is really frosting my cupcakes.

Christine26 11/03/2013

Hi Lori, That seems like the RA that I know. When you eyes open up you are not certain what my or may not hurt. Even my eyeballs have hurt on some occasions. Never know what one will encounter. Seems we have to be ready for any and everything.

Grandpa2one 11/03/2013

I've almost completed my first script of MTX (tonight is the last dose before I refill) I've had the pills since Aug but had to get up enough nerve to start plus I had a vacation in there I didn't want to mess up with side effects from the MTX. So, 18 down and 6 to go and I can feel a difference. I still hurt but not as bad and like others have said, it's a different place for a different day. Ankles one day, ankles and hands the next and ankles and knees the next but on think is constant. My ankles hurt all the time and I'm finding it more and more difficult to go up and down steps without holding on for dear life.

RA is a pain somewhere daily but mostly it's a pain in the you know what always..... ;)

Grandpa2one 11/03/2013

"on think is constant." Dog gone spell check said I had everything right.... lol I guess I did if I meant to use 'on think'.... Suppose to say "one thing is constant."...but, you probacly figured that out... lol

Lori57703 11/03/2013

Thank you all! I will definately wait until Friday next week to take my MTX. I was useless for 3 days after taking it. I'm hoping that will get better in time!

Grandpa2one- How are you doing with side effects? I am using the injectable so nausea/vomiting has not been an issue but the fatigue and weakness are incredible!

LynnRivers, Christine26 and Stephgas- Thank you for sharing that information. I was thinking I was crazy too! I'm glad I'm not crazy but I hate the not knowing.

Trishcorsi- Humor and sarcasim have always been my go to resources when it comes to stress. I guess I will just need to be creative from here on out!

Lori

Grandpa2one 11/04/2013

"Grandpa2one- How are you doing with side effects? I am using the injectable so nausea/vomiting has not been an issue but the fatigue and weakness are incredible! "

I'm doing a lot better. Still really tired the day after but the other side effects that are normal with this stuff have subsided to a tolerable level.

Side note....are you OK with taking your MTX next Friday after starting it on Wednesday of last week? To be effective, it should be taken the same day every week, I thought?

Lori57703 11/04/2013

Grandpa2one- Thank you for your response!

I think I will be okay taking it Friday instead of Wednesday this week. I know it should be given weekly but there is no way I take it during the week anymore. I work full time and the exhaustion made it impossible for me to work. This will only be my second dose so it should be okay. Once I make this switch I won't change it again so I'll be back on track. Lori

annettearizona 11/04/2013

Oh yes,I love having "pain" for no reason...bad enough wehen you can find a reason,but not for no reason! I figure it just wants the attention :(

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