Hi all my name is emma and i am 24 yrs old and was diagnosed with RA in july this year and i had my first rheumatologist appt yesterday in brisbane. he said because i am so young and already have so many joints involved he wants to treat it quite aggresively to get it under control. he has put me on methotrexate 10mg a week, salazopyrin 4 a day, plaquenil 2 a day, folic acid, 2 a day, mobic 15mg a day. he also wanted to give me a cotizone injection in my left wrist as i have very limited ROM in it, after scaphoid break two yrs ago and problems with it ever since.... i said not just yet.. but i go back in three months and he said if there is no improvement he wants to try the injection. he also wants me to let him know how i go on mtx as he might increase it after six weeks if no side affects. today was my first day on it and i was really dizzy, couldn't concentrate and nasuea and just very week. came home from work. just wanted to know what your thoughts were... my pain hasn't seemed to ease instead it feels as though everyday it's gets a little bit worse and more and more joints become affected. at the moment both my feet are almost unbvearable to walk on and was diagnosed a year ago with stress fractures by GP but rheumy thinks that it was RA, my elbow won't straighten, my knees seem to get worse and worse, both wrist ache, my right hand pointer finger is constantly swollen, i have neck pain, and my wrist x-rays show degenerative changes. just wondered what anyone can tell me ...... will it get better. thank you for your help........Oh my goodness, another Brisbanite! I live one the Sunshine Coast Emma,
it's so good to see another Aussie
I went on vacation to Florida this past spring and had a horrible flare up. When I came back the doctor gave me a steroid injection and it really helped. I was very unsure about it as well but it basically felt like I didn't have Ra anymore. It was great....I would definitely recommend that if you're feeling that badly, it can help you to feel better and can also help kickstart the medication into place.
The reason that your doctor is treating the RA so aggressively is because it's a quickly moving disease. Just trust what they say and also do your own research. This is what I've done a lot of and it really puts my mind at ease.
Also...the side effects of the mtx...it's probably a combination of you being worried to start this new drug and also just its regular side effects. It effects everybody differently. I was very very tired on it and sometimes felt nauseous. Take your folic acid as that helps to decrease side effects. My doctor upped me to 5mg of folic acid a day so maybe check with yours and see if that is an option for you.
Just remember to stay strong, keep your chin up, smile, and remember that we on this board are here to cheer you up and answer your questions so feel free to ask.
Good luck,
Britenny
Hi Emma, I do not have too much more to add since Britenny had such good advice. I just wanted to say that it does get better and I think it is good that your rheumy is aggressive. Mine is too and I think I am finally getting relief. My ra came on very strong and aggressive like yours. I could not tolerate mtx but most people can. Give it time. I tried it three times and am now on Enbrel. Just keep jumping through the hoops, get whatever you need to cope, (anti depressants and pain meds) and be patient. IT takes some time but it does get better.
There ARE better days to come. Please come here to vent anytime you need to. These good people helped me through some very very hard times.
As for the MTX I would advise taking them on a day when you can get some rest. I take mine on Saturday night and spend the majority of the day napping and just taking it easy. My body need that anyway. I wish I could tell you that goes away; but for me it really hasn't. It's a small price to pay though; and honestly it gives me the down time I really need every week. Just plan ahead. It does take a little while to get in your system though so don't expect over night results.
Best of luck to you.
Hi Emma,
I was started to be chronically ill with RA starting my junior year in college. I had all the stuff going on that you do. I also had IBS most of the time, and bright light hurt my eyes terribly. I was terribly ill by the time I was 25 but not too much joint damage then.
I got better. The meds do work. Takes time and patience. Sounds like you have a good doctor who really wants to help - that's exactly what we need! That and good RA friends!
Hi Emma:
I also take the mtx on Saturday nights (right before going to bed). I was always told to take it at night so you won't have many side effects during the day and doing it on Saturday's works great for me. Good luck.
Sandy
Hey Emma, welcome to the group. Sounds to me like your are in the first stages of the disease. You've already received some great advice, so I won't add too much. I've found that the first year is tough. The docs want you on the least toxic med that will help you. It takes awhile to find out what works best, and in fact it took me 8 months to get a dx. I feel so much better than I did this time last year. Have patience, and you'll get relief. Oh, one other thing, David and I will be down to personally check on you and albear in a couple of months! How long is too long? Take care.
Mike
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