weakness and fatigue | Arthritis Information

Hi to all. I have had RA for about 15 years. Until 4 months ago I was on Methltrexate. Stopped and started taking Enbrel. Within 10 days I felt like a new man! It was amazing.By 2 weeks I felt like I was in remision. Jump to last week. The bottom fell out. I'm so tired I cannot get out of bed. I feel jumpy (phone rings and i jump ). I remember feeling this way many years ago I think before I went on the Methltrexate. My question is since I felt so good on Enbrel coming off the Methltrexate could it be that the combination of the two is what made me feel that good? What can I do now?...help....GeoffSorry I forgot to mention back pain which i had never had before ...GeoffMANY DOCOTRS USE BOTH DRUGS TO CONTROL THE RA. CONTACT YOUR RHEUMY RIGHT AWAY. HE'LL PROBABLY START YOU BACK ON THE MTX OR ANOTHER DMARD.

Geoff, I use Humira and 22.5mg MTX. I'm certain it's the combination of both that work for me. It sounds as if you were doing so great at first because you still had a good deal of MTX in your system and now it's worn off. MTX takes a while to get built up in your system to work well...in return it takes a while to be totally out of your system as also. You might want to consider trying both together.

And I feel for ya on the back pain. I'm currently off my meds due to infection and my back is killing me!! It's RA related I feel certain because as my meds continue to wear off; it continues to get worse. Goes all the way down into the hip area also. Don't have much advice for ya there except a heating pad, pain meds and muscle relaxers.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

And Welcome to the group. hope to see more of you here.

Lovie

Thanks Lovie and Karen. I was on such a good roll that I almost forgot about RA. I wasn't even taking ibuprofen! BAM how fast things can change with this disease. My Rhemy is on Vacation till the 29th. I just feel like I want to sleep all day. Missed 2 days of work already. Are there any other blood work ups I should look for out of the ordinary. I really feel anemic. Went to my reg Dr yesterday and he take some , I think he is looking for white counts maybe even Lyme...Man....This can be depressing eh?....Geoff

Lyme Disease can mimic RA. We have just been discussing that with Roxy as well. Check under that post. We've just recently heard of a different test; not sure right off what it's called, but it seems to give a more accurate dx.

I've heard of several people testing negative for Lyme Disease until they do this particular test and find out that they are indeed positive.

It can get frustrating I know.

The same thing happened to me when I stopped the mtx. It took a while to leave my system so I I didn't feel too bad at first - but when I went back on the mtx I felt much better again.Hey Geoff, I had a reaction to mtx and I was taken off of it. I am starting Humira next week

Sounds like you need to back on both meds.I hate you have to wait til the 29th to talk to rehuemy.And worrying about your job doesn't help,I know.Can you call your gp and get some stronger pain meds?I know for my back pain I use icey hot ,heating pad and those stick on heating pads.Maybe that will help.the again sleeping ,if you can, does give relief.You rest.Try some heat on your back.Dr. told me my pain was coming from inflamation that was pinching a nerve.I am on predisone now.I had never had this back pain before either.It is worse than the pain I had when I had a gallbladder attack.

You get some rest and really hope your pain goes away soon.

Sheila

Thanks everybody, No better today. Still feel like I'm plugged into a wall socket with weakness and fayigue. This Jumpy feeling is weird to say the least....GeoffSounds like from MTX withdrawal. It was doing more good than you thouht. You probably need both. Call DR and see if you can get back on a med. MTX dose. Hope you feel better soon.Anybody know anything about the MX withdrawal? Any sites. GeoffFatigue is bad for me the last few days...I think it's the heat. Heat index was over 107 in FL. I went to bed real early last night at 11...ok that's early for me.

Yea, what is MTX withdraw? Alright can anybody give an opinion on MTX withdrawal. My rhemy called and stated he did noit think so since my joint pain is good on the Enbrel. Still weak and tired. One thought was to get a thyroid test Geoff, I have read and read and read about ra. Thyroid problems are common with ra. All I have ever heard about mtx withdrawal is the ra symptoms return. I hope you are better.

If the MTX was stopped just because you didn't seem to need it, then get back on it. Since RD out town, ask your GP. Worst case GP says no!

I just was miserable on MTX so now I take Arava with Remicade. When I quit the MTX it took about 3 months to start hurting again - was on Arava by the 5th month.

I got off MTX because I had a couple of slightly elevated liver tests and because my Rhemy was having very good sucess with the Enbrel and wanted me to go that route.....Called my GP and he is going to do Thyroid test...Geoff

Well I'm still weak and Fatigues. I have very weak muscles 9 top of knees, calfs arms between shoulder and elbow )but my joints seem to be OK. Whats this all about. How can the joints be OK and the muscles feel tired and very weak???

Geoff,

I almost never have "joint" pain. My regular (non-flare) pain is in the tendons. My hands ache sometimes, but it's the area between the first joint and wrist. My elbow aches and tendons/muscles feel tender all the way to my wrist. Feels like the muscle was overworked. The web between the thumb and index finger gets achy. Point is, joints seem to be ok, at least for now. Maybe I don't have RA?

Mike
Have you been tested Mike...RA factor?? Right now my symptoms are baffling.....Anybody else?

Hey Geoff;

Sorry I'm very slow to respond to this post; but I have been on MTX for more than three years now. Well...until about 4 weeks ago anyway.

I'm going to have to say no to the MTX withdraws. I mean, I miss it...I can feel my symptoms return, but I haven't had major withdraws like you'd imagine for a junkie. I've been off MTX & Humria for the past 4 weeks due to an infection and although I do miss my meds; I feel like they have been in my system for so long they have slowly worn off. Don't get me wrong....I can tell a difference for sure; but I'm not in anyway experiencing what you'd refer to as "withdraws".

Good Luck to you. I hope you are feeling better already.

Went to my Rhemy yesterday. He is a bit puzzled. I have not taken any Enbrel for over a week ( 9 days ). Symptoms remain. My joints are still very good. The shacky weak feeking is still here. It's in my calfs, legs just above the knees and the arms. He put me on 25 mg of Pred. last night at around 8. It's now 10 Am and no change other then my neck area which was a little stiff. Wa He wants to see if it's the RA or Enbrel or something else . I'm scared to say the least. He tested my strength yesterday and if I have to pull or push on something I can do it. He stated he did not think it had anything to do with MS after I asked about it ( Enbrel side effect )He wants another 25mg today. He said he will want a Neurological test and a Bone density test. Any thoughts my RA friends??.......Geoff
P.S my acta test ( I think thats what it was ). He says it shows inflamation and Liver stuff. It was slightly high. 40 is normal mine was 54. He said test can go much higher. He is allso checking for hepititis? Also a glucose sugar test and lyme western blot test is not back yet.........Geoff Geoff, It is all so scary. Many of our symptoms just can't be explained. RA is systemic. Maybe it is something that will pass. At least he reassured you it is not MS. I hope you don't have to stay on pred. too long and you are feeling stronger soon. Thanks roxy, I would have thought on 25ng of Prednisone all my aches would have gone away but my calfs and thighs remain....NO joint pain Update. Bone density scan OK.I also had a EMG nerve test and that was OK. Neurologist does not think its anything to do with MS. Joint pain or lack of is fine still. Back on MTX for 1month now. Boy this sucks !!!

hate to hear you're still having a rough time with things.

Sure hope you are feeling better soon!