Well...Its official.... | Arthritis Information

Well... Its official... I do have RA..

~Cindy

Hey Cindy, I'm so sorry about your diagnosis, I just got mine and am waiting for blood work and X-Ray relsults so that I can start my meds as well , so I can't answer your "with or without food" question. I'm glad your feeling better with the Prednisone.
PS...I'm still in the "not me, why me" phase as well. Here's to hoping we'll all be feeling better soon!!
I know it's scary...but you'll be ok. With proper treatment you're going to live a long happy life. Keep your spirits up.

We're here for ya.

Lovie
Cindy, I am soooooooo sorry about your diagnosis. I was so scared to start mtx. I take mine at night before bed. I have not drank more water but I am a water and herb tea drinker anyway. The mtx is not as scary as what you have read about it. The first time I took it, I think it was only 5 mg. I hardly felt any different. Go at it with an open mind. I had a reaction to it at 15 mg. so I am down to 10. Just listen to your body and communicate with your rd. From what I have read and the feedback on here is if you can tolerate mtx, it is very important in your treatment. I am told some times it takes time for your system to get used to it. That is why I am still trying to take it. Good luck and come back here often. There is so much love and support here. One of the toughest things about ra is that it is so hard to understand. WE UNDERSTAND
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was there a short while ago and I cried in the office I think my RD thought I was a weirdo, but it's devastating. Anyhow, I started on 12.5 mg of methotrexate and am now up to 20mg per week. I find if I take it with food and drink water lots the day before and the day of taking the mtx I barely notice a change, other than a little extra tired and a slight headache. Good luck to you. I remember being really freaked out that I had to take such a harsh pill but to look at the alternatives, I'll take them. Now I cannot believe the energy that I have ... Wow!! I'm feeling like mee 'ole self again...well....close
Jackie
Cyndy....I was terrified to take the MTX but I finally accepted that I couldn't go on feeling like I did & be a functioning wife & mother. I want to enjoy life - not just survive it!   I'm on my 7th week and so far have only felt tired for a day or 2 -I take 15mg.

You will learn so much here & find WAY more support & friendship! Welcome aboard!

Lulu
Sorry to hear you have RA, at least now you know what you have and can get treatment for it.

We are here for ya; all you have to do is post!

June
I'm one of the people who reacted to mtx with nausea (no vomiting) and weariness. I was at 20 mg. Rheumy told me to take folic acid for three days starting the day of the pills. Take it at 3-5 times recommended daily dose (it is over the counter). I continued taking it one per day the rest of the month. It definitely helped with the queasies. I took my pills (or shot eventually) just before bed so I could sleep through any queasiness. sewez38588.6246875
I understand just how you must be feeling right now.

I was diagnosed last Sept. Started on Pred/Relafen and MTX. It is scarry to start on MTX i actually delayed it 1 week, i got scared. BUT now i couldnot imagine life without it.

We can talk about other things as they come up in the weeks ahead. I just want to say. Take the MTX, i took it Sat morning, and made no plans for the weekend. after about 2 hours i started aching in my muscles. and got very tiered and sleepy. so i went to bed. (i recomend moving a TV in there if you don't already have one). and REST. do not try to fight the effects, go with what your body tells you. remember that you will be on MTX long term so losing an odd weekend to rest to handle the innitial doses is nothing.

Good luck. I do not get on the boards very often, but do respond to Private messages, ask me anything.

I will not fool you, there is NO quick reprieve from this, after 1 year i am still fighting, and trying to get the drug/activity levels balanced to get to some senblence of my past life. remember you are not alone, there are people that have this worse than you that handle it, so so can you.

BIG HUG

Isn't that the truth Clufus. There are so many that have to deal with SO MUCH on here. I consider myself lucky even if I do whine too much. My sense of humor and Joonie's sillies have helped a lot
Allen


Awww Cindy, hon we all know what you're feeling and I'm so sorry. The good thing is, now you know and can take steps to feeling better. Scared, angry, depressed....the whole emotional roller coaster comes with the diagnosis of RA as it does with any incurable illness. Just take one day at a time, take care of yourself do the the best you can with the cards you're dealt. That's all any of us can do hon. This is a great board with wonderful, caring people so I'm glad you found it. We are here for you whenever you need to vent, cry, ask questions or just pound jiberish on the keyboard.
Peace & Love...Neasy
Neasy38588.7853587963Your MTX is Green neasy? Mine was yellow.Mine is yellow too. I am going to try to Gatorade. Maybe that will help. Thanks Neasy.
they take some getting used to Cindy...I hope it works for you. Yeah bingethinker that is what color mine was too!
Hi Cindy! Welcome!!! Glad you found us.
Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I've been dx'd
since February. I have to say that at first I didn't think
it was much to be concerned about!! Silly, huh? But
everyone here is really great and I have learned SO
MUCH. Now all the pieces are fitting together.

I am currently taking 22.5 mg. mtx. I take mine on
Friday eve. I am usually tired and a little queasy the
next 1-2 days. It took about 6 weeks before I really
noticed that it was helping. I'm really glad now that I
am taking it. Look forward to 'talking' with you more.

Blessings & hugs...

Hi Cindy, My rd is adjusting my dosage to half one day and half the next so you see. There are ways to deal with it if you have side effects. You may be lucky and have none. Let us know what happens.
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