Well, I want to share my happy story. I was practically crippled
two weeks ago to the day. I had my first RD appointment. I
got on prednisone, and I took my first does of MTX on this Friday night.
I had the best feeling weekend I have had in ages. I really felt
like me again. I don't know if it is my imagination, but I feel
like the MTX is already working. I have only been on it for two
days. Is that even possible? Or is it coincidence that I am
feeling SO good.
I didn't have an adverse reaction to it. In fact, I felt really good Saturday.
What was your initial response to MTX. I am interested in your MTX stories. Thanks.
For me it took a few weeks...can't remember how long exactly since it was so many years ago.
Glad you're feling better though...that's good news!
Good for you. I'm real happy for you. Hope your success just gets better and better.
Prob. the Prednisone and maybe a sense of relief that the MTX didnt kick your butt. I have good days and great days with a few lousy ones (like today) mixed in. I have been on MTX for about 6 weeks and I thought it was working, but now having been off of Pred for 10 days...I am starting to think it isnt working.
But I am happy to hear you are feeling better...hey, take what you can get right?Well, I have been on pred for two weeks and vastly improving.
After taking the MTX, I have an even better feeling. I don't know
how or what, but I will take it! Crunchy~I took MTX for probable 3 years before starting Humira. I'd advise a MTX increase before starting the routine of injections. I'm now up to 25mg. Like everything else I've used it takes a little more and a little more every year to keep things kind of at bay. Even with the Humira. I wish I would have tried Plaquinel with MTX before Humira. I'm afraid it's probable too late for that now. My combination is working well for me now; but I still hate after close to a year and a half the weekly injections. I guess you get use to the routine of it...but I still don't like it. I'm much rather pop a few more pills. But no turning back now. Know what I mean? For me; I've learned to accept a certain amount of expected pain on a routine basis. I think eventually you have to see that. Predisone is not good for you in long term. Anyone that can would be best off to go though a little down time now and get your DMARDS up to a place where they can control things on their own without it. My doctors have always prescribed Predisone when things got bad for me (And of course upon my dx early on). At the same time we'd increase my DMARDS and as soon as my body had accepted the new dose we'd slowly lower the predisone. We'd do this in a matter of weeks. It's been a good way to boost my strength for a while until I was back up to speed. (Or as close as I can get) I have good days and I have bad. On proper treatment; I'll have more good than bad. AZ~it sure sounds to me like you are on the right track. That's fabulous!! I'm a firm believer that life with this disease is managable. You're showing every sign that this is true. Stay positive. Yeah!!! I am so happy that youre feeling better, and Im encouraged, when you replied to my question about mtx you said you hadnt woken up a troll (LOL), maybe when I go on this med. I can escape "troll-ism" also! DesertchildEdward - I start Remicade tomorrow - what were your reactions like?
Have to agree with all the others, my mtx didn't kick in for 9-10 weeks. From what I see and hear pred is great. So far I've refused it, Just cant see J.Lewis this days without crying. But it will make you feel so much better. Just don't think that it could be the mtx yet. Good luck,mary I have to agree with you about the Mthx. The day after I took it I no longer needed ther 16 Advil a day I was taking for the pain before I was dxed. I have never taken Prednisone so I know that is not responsible for the improvement. Since then Humira has been added to the treatment. As the Mthx was upped, I have had some reactions to it. The Humira has helped a lot too. The shots are tough but worth it. Just had a co-worker ask me last night if I had RA, Since I was dx'd in June I thought he knew. But he swears that he was swollen as bad as me and was put on 5mgs (2 little pill) for 4 months and is now cured. (maybe Remission). So maybe, it is working this way for you. I truly hope it's your miracle, maybe you can escape the more agressive drugs as you go. By the way Bill said he was dx'd in 94. and is still pain and all symtoms free. mary
I get ups and downs, 2 weeks ago i was down further with stomach problems etc. I am hoping it will find a happy place and work.
Thanks for the comments.
Prednisone made me feel better immediately, in fact that's how they confirm that what you have is autoimmune. For me the metetrexate took longer but then I had really bad side effects and it took me a long time to adjust/MTHX takes much longer than two days to kick in, as everybody said, it's probably the Prednisone. MTHX takes roughly 6/8 weeks before you get any benefits, it has taken a lot of the stiffness away, especially in the mornings, I notice a big difference, but I still get pain which is not so good. I have been on it for about nine months.Pleased your feeling good, that Pred sure does have a kick to it
My doc told me there might be breathing issues or hives. I'm a little
nervous about it but I've heard this treatment can be pretty
miraculous if everything is tolerated well.
I'm hoping that I can run with my 6 year old again - that's her
definition of mommy being "better" - but at this point I'd be happy
with power walking!
"Newsie" (Crunchy - I LOVE my the nickname you gave me!)
So glad that your getting relief. I think it's the prednisone also. It does seem to alevate the stiffness that we all suffer from in the mornings. I hope things continue to go well for you.
I just swallowed my second dose as I was reading your post. I
took it last Friday night and then tonight. Last Saturday I felt
quite normal. I noticed how good I really felt on Sunday. I
was a little down Saturday morning, but I went out in the sun for about
an hour and was quite cheered up.
I have had a better week this week than I have since I got sick.
I really feel a big difference than when I was just on
prednisone. I guess I will see as time goes on using it.
Let me know how it goes for you. I was really nervous and it wasn't bad at all for me.
Thanks! That's what I need to hear. It's a mixed blessing. I'm nervous about starting, but I want to get going. It's also good to hear that you had an almost immediate reaction. My doctor said it would be at least a month before I could tell a difference.
By the way, I eat a banana with medication. It is good for
avoiding stomach problems because it coats the stomach and prevents
ulcers. It is really the best thing you can eat for that.
Also, apples flush out toxins and are good to take with medications
also. Especially if you are on a lot of NSAIDS, they can really
harm the stomach.
Those are my two little tricks for helping the process a little.
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