What to do until Methotrexate works. | Arthritis Information

Hello! I'm new here, this is my first post.

I'll introduce myself a little. My name is Elizabeth, I'm 27 years old and was diagonosed with RA in May, 2006.

I had been taking Naproxen for about the first year and a half and that was working until just recently. I started getting a little worse and my rheumatologist bumped me up to Methotrexate two weeks ago. I didn't know how well that anti-inflammatory drug was working until I quit taking it! About 5 or 6 joints in my hands and feet are really inflamed and my right index finger is just starting to turn a little. I'm in such pain and the doctor said that it will probably take a couple of months for the Methotrexate to start working.

I'm planning on calling my doctor on my lunch break, but I was also wondering if anyone had some suggestions that might help until the Methotrexate starts to work.

Why did the rd take you off Naproxen?? Mtx takes a little while to start working my rd kept me on Nsaids too, did he keep you on anything besides Mtx? Welcome to the board!!!

Welcome to the board. I just started taking MTX at the end of July. I also wonder why you aren't taking the Naproxen as well. I continued to take my anti-inflammatory every day. I don't think I could go without it.

Hello Arcadia, I have nothing to add to what others have said, get thee to a NSAID, but did want to say HI!

Con Brio. HappHi and welcome!!

I would still be taking the naproxen too. I had good luck with the mtx kicking in pretty quickly. I hope yours does too!

Hi Acadia....welcome!

WELCOME ARCADIA!!!!!!

I agree with everyone, call your rd and ask if you can take your naproxen. I hope it kicks in soon!!!

HUgs

Hi, howdy, hello and WELCOME! Tough luck being diagnosed, but glad you were able to find the boards. There are some really great people here that are supportive and encouraging. We all know what you're going through.

I agree with what everyone has said as well. Get your RD on the phone and find out if you can continue with the naproxen or if he can get you on Pred. Personally I hate Pred cause it turned me into an all-day munching Megabitch, but some people are able to handle it a-ok. It would great to have in the interim until the MTX kicks in if you are really uncomfy and in pain.

It's weird that you were diagnosed back in '06 and they're just now starting you on MTX. It really bothers me. From everything I've been told, they treat the disease aggressively up-front to avoid negative impact.

Thank each and every one of you for the warm welcome and advice. I truly apprciate it.

I called my doctor today but had to leave a message. I'm just going to continue taking the Naproxen like you all suggested unless my doctor says otherwise. The pain is just too much!

MrsAlexander: I'm not completely sure why he didn't start me on MTX sooner. In the beginning my RA wasn't all that bad, there was even a 2 month period about 8 months after my diagnosis where I had no symptoms at all, but then it came back. Just this past August I was supposed to have an apointment but it got cancelled and they couldn't get me back in until the 1st of this month. So while I was waiting things got a little worse. Though at this last appointment he did say that he wanted to go after this aggressively. He put me on a medrol dosepack and MTX. Now I'm waiting for the MTX to work.

Welcome Arcadia, so glad you have joined this forum. It can take awhile for the mtx to work (a month or maybe 2, sorry to say). Good luck with a speedy response to the drug. As others have said the anti inflamitory sounds good, and interesting, maybe I'll add it to my list. thanks for posting and have a great day. Lynda

Hi Arcadia, welcome, welcome!!! It's always nice to have new members.

It took five months for the MTX to work for me, but others get relief sooner and some a bit later. It sounds like your doctor is very conservative. I know one of the warnings for MTX are to NOT mix it with Aleve/Naproxen type drugs, among others. But my RD gave me a prescription for it, no problem. Your RD may just be extra careful and likes to go slowly. That may also be why he didn't start you on RD drugs earlier. I hope the MTX works well for you. Scary drug though it is, it works miracles for many of us. Good luck and please let us know how you're doing.

Hi Arcadia!!

I heard from my rheumatologist and he said that it would be ok to take the Naproxen with the MTX so that's what I'm doing. I feel SO much better today!

Thanks again!

Glad to hear you are feeling better today. This is just the place to get any questions answered so don't be shy.

Jay