Oh Well | Arthritis Information

 

Well I thought I got relief from increasing to the 20 mgs of oral MTX. I had a couple of days of awakening without being in pain in my wrists and hands when throwing back the covers. I had just limited pain upon movement of the same during the day. I planned on starting my taper down from 10 mgs. prednisone on Sunday.
However Friday and today...not so good. Just feel randomly achy all over. Also wrists and hands- no good.
My doctor said give the MTX at least a month to feel pain relief but if I don't get relief keep taking it until I see him in 2 months because it may be doing things behind the scenes for inflammation and progression.
He did say I can't stay on the 10 mgs. of prednisone so even if it is doing things behind the scene if I'm having pain on 10 mgs. something else will have to be added I figure.
What is it about RA that it can change from day to day, sometimes hour to hour.
Sorry to read that you aren't doing so well.  Yes, what is it that causes RA to change day to day, or hour by hour?  That is what makes it difficult for me to go to work some days.  I'm lucky that I'm not having a lot of pain, but I have days where "I just don't feel good".  I'm also having tons of fatigue.  Do others have days where "they just don't feel good" too?   At least that's better than days where the pain is really, really bad - I'm thankful I'm not having those right now.  I'm just pooped all the time though.  Is this normal for RA?That's exactly my description- I just don't feel good. I can take the level of pain. I have been going to bed extra early and falling asleep in my chair at like 8 PM too. Yawn all day long....
Nothing HORRIBLE- but annoying.
So sorry you're feeling that badly  .......  I remember those days too well......  sleep when you need to..... hang in there w/ the MTX .. you haven't done that many extra doses yet.. it may take time......  I hope it works soon!! [QUOTE=Flamingo]Sorry to read that you aren't doing so well.  Yes, what is it that causes RA to change day to day, or hour by hour?  That is what makes it difficult for me to go to work some days.  I'm lucky that I'm not having a lot of pain, but I have days where "I just don't feel good".  I'm also having tons of fatigue.  Do others have days where "they just don't feel good" too?   At least that's better than days where the pain is really, really bad - I'm thankful I'm not having those right now.  I'm just pooped all the time though.  Is this normal for RA?[/QUOTE]

I have quite a few days were I just don't feel good. And I have many days just feeling all washed out like I have really exerted myself but I haven't done a dog gone thing. Frustrating as all get out, but way better than being in pain I'll admit.  I was told fatigue to some degree was normal in RA.
Wanttobe~~Sorry you are feeling awful. Rest as you can and be good to yourself how ever you can.  I can relate with that.  At every Dr visit, I tell her about how every day I get to a point where I feel flu-ish.... terrible body aches, brain shutting down, and when those huge yawns begin... my family sends me to bed. Actually, I've learned to recognize the signs of it starting and try to lie down soon. When I wake up 2hours later I feel much better (yes, I sleep very well at night- 8hours). If I do pay attention and give into it soon, I don't usually need any pain med. So, that's my trick. Unfortunately, I have no control about the timing. It usually starts about 5hours after I wake up in the morning (no matter what I do) but some days only 4 and others 6. Before I figured this all out, I'd have episodes in the grocery store, call my husband in tears on his cell and tell him I'm just standing frozen in the can goods isle, can't move, what should I do. He always offered to leave work to come get me, but of course that's not reasonable so I'd just abandon my cart and go home. Now, I know to pay attention and just eliminate an errand if I'm getting close to my breakdown stage. Every day I adjust my life around this. Yesterday I should've gone to the bank and PO, just stayed home. So, I know what you mean about not feeling good.

Sorry you are not feeling that much better, wannabe. I hope it kicks in for you soon.

I forgot about your methotrexate question.  Since it takes months to kick in when first starting it, I wonder if that applies to an increased dose too.  CathyMarie

Yeah the doctor said it could take a month for it to kick in- but I got tricked when I had a couple of good days. I mean really good days-like I wouldn't have even known I had RA! That's what I hate about this disease I feel like I'm always getting duped. Like it's mocking me or something.
I guess I need to take a new attitude and just be very happy on good days, deal with the bad and when the days are bad be thankful that I'm still functional and remember that there are others who suffer more.
My RD is accessible in between but truthfully even at my last visit he pretty much told me he did not think I was going to get the result I was looking for by doing this.
He was perfectly fine with appeasing me and letting me try what I wanted to do but said just go home and think about biologics. I'd like you to give them a 2 month try. If you weren't happy after 2 months you could go off but I really feel that you will feel so much better you won't want to. He said if you decide you want to try- just call me any time.
So I have been mulling over it...but look what happened to momto3- here she thought she was going to get relief and got an allergic reaction instead!
Stinkin RA- trickster!
I say go for the biologicals. I was afraid at first too, because I AM AFRAID of needles. But I guess it is kinda like having to hit rock bottom before trying a biological when you are afraid of needles.