For those who were in remission and then. . . | Arthritis Information

I have been in drug induced remissio since November. For a while I was fighting myself to take the MTX weekly. For the past two weeks, I have become increasingly stiff. Of course, I did not tell my RD on my Tuesday visit. I also ignored the fact that I actually had normal sized joints in my hands which have begun to puff slighly again, which he saw at my appointment. My MTX dosage was not changed. Two days after seeing my RD, I had to take some Tylenol for pain . It has rained 2Xs this week, and I am trying to convince myself that it is all weather realted. What I really fear is that I may be coming out of remission. Am I over reacting or are my fears founded? I am trying to ignore it in hopes that it will go away.Caprice, I'm not sure about something. By "fighting myself to take the MTX weekly" does that mean you were not taking it regularly? Or were you taking it, even though you didn't want to? I am interested to see what people post.

I too am in a drug induced remission and am also being tapered off prednisone.

Some days I have pain and I still have stiffness so I'm like...this is what they call remission?

I want to feel like my old self again- I don't know if you ever do

[QUOTE=Jesse88] Caprice, I'm not sure about something. By "fighting myself to take the MTX weekly" does that mean you were not taking it regularly? Or were you taking it, even though you didn't want to? [/QUOTE]

I took it regularly, but had to convience myself each week to do it. I get the ickies after taking it for about 24 hours. It is still hard to swallow those pills everyweek. Next Friday I am going to be trained to give myself a shot.That's what I am trying to figure out. I mean, I am not in crazy pain, but it is enough for me to need something to take the edge off. If it lasts only a couple of days should I bother bringing it up at all? If it doesn't let up or the pain increases, I'll try to get another appointment.I think you should definitely mention it. I think your RD would want to know about it. Let him/her decide if it's nothing to worry about.

Good luck with the injections. I'm going to be giving myself MTX shots for the first time on Sunday. I don't have stomach trouble but the RD wants more "bang for the buck" so has increased it to 25 mgs. and the injection, which is more effective. It should help you with your stomach problems and maybe even eliminate that pain you have because you'll be getting more benefit from the injection.

I know what you mean- I really don't even take a tylenol...but it's just not "normal" feeling.

i'd tell your doctor. I'm going to tell mine at my next visit.

I'm in the same boat as you guys. I've been up and down this road more times than I can count now. That's why I don't use the word remission as much as I say I'm well controlled.

A combination of Humira & MTX got me to this place I am now and I've been off of Humira for more than a year now. I've been doing great on MTX alone (Pain pills and Muscle relaxers at night only) But the past couple of weeks and this week especially I'm wondering if it's just the weather or if I'm going to need more than MTX.

It could easily go either way. Keep in mind that if you are in what is being referred to as a medication induced remission it can easily change. As your body gets use to a certain dose sometimes it will take more and more to acheive the same results.

I've been poppin the advil this week and that's rarely a good sign for me; but this could just be a bad week. Hopefully after a restful weekend I'll feel better. One thing that tells me it's a sign that the MTX isn't working as good as it was is that I can tell my bad days start about Thursday. Saturday is my dose day and when I have trouble making it to that day it's likely a sign that this won't be good enough for too much longer.

ALSO FYI; tylenol isn't as good as Advil or IUB for arthritis. It isn't an antinflammatory like IUB. You can take up to 4 at a time (same as a prescription strength) just make sure you don't have an emplty stomach. It's bad for your stomach. Some people can't take it at all.....you may be one of them but I wanted to mention it. Lovie I would prefer to take Advil but I'm still on prednisone right now so the doctor says it's a no no. Tylenol only. I never did think Tylenol did much for me. Can't wait to get off this darn prednisone.

Say I stay in a "medicine induced" remission after prednisone...will my doctor eventually try to wean me off the MTX too? Or do you always have to take some drug?