Hi all, just wanted to say hello and ask your advice. Unfortunately just within reach of my remission from cancer, I now have RA. I am 45 and live in Auckland, 10 years from moving from South Africa. Diagnosed after 6 months of pain and confusion I saw a fantastic Rheumy and he quickly got me diagnosed and onto Methotrexate 10mg, Folic acid and a good NSAID. He gave me a IM shot of cortisone which helped hugely. I have kept on working through all this and feel positive but a bit grumpy that I now have RA, plus tired and a bit stressed after months of pain and just not being well. My hands are much better but my feet hurt still, but I am not taking many painkillers at all so a huge improvement.
I have done a little research but didnt want to think too much about side effects and stuff, just move forward and get on with life you know. I have had my first blood test and heard nothing so assume all is ok. 3 doses of Methotrexate down and I assume many more to go. Do we carry on taking it forever or only with flares? I see my doc in 5 weeks, its the only question I forgot to ask. I am assuming he can get me into a sort of remission as he called it. Once there, do we carry on taking MX?
My main concern...I have noticed that I seem more tired then before, depressed, a bit weepy and even anger flares. Suddenly I seem to be wanting sugar when I never EVER need it. I have more of an appetite which I dont want or need.
Is this normal? Depression and mood swings dont feature in the side effects. I do tend to get depressed and have the typical arty type personality. I have been deeply upset about Steve Irwins death and am sure more then I normally would have. I am noticing that I even had suicidal thoughts and from a very positive person am feeling definately negative and I hate it.
Any ideas please? Thanks and nice to "meet" you all.
Wendy
Auckland, NZ
ps I see there is another senior Wendy member from NZ, Hi Wendy
Hi Wendy! You'll need to take the methotrexate until your symptoms are gone and then for a while after that (maybe, a couple of years). Then your rheumatologist will most likely start to slowly reduce the mtx and monitor whether your RA comes back. If it does, you'll need to stay on it longer. Re. the mood swings, perhaps you are becoming depressed? Are you sleeping ok? I talked to my GP and went oona an antidepressant (Paxil/Aropax) last year, as my current flare was getting too much for me. The Aropax has helped me enormously - I can cope with life again! You're welcome to email me privately any time (wjkh@clear.net.nz) All the best, Thanks Wendy and Jeanne, can only 1 shot of cortisone increase your appetite? I hope so cause then it will stop. Wendy, yes I sleep well, all night, and all day if I could! I cant believe how tired I am. Yes 1 shot can increase appetite and do all that moody stuff too. Things should improve as the cortisone wears off. Hopefully the mtx will be fully kicked in by then and you'll just feel better. Sorry about Steve Irwins too but he was doing what he loved best. He sure knew what to do with his time in this world...I think he spent his time well. He will be remembered. Thanks Marian, I wont panic then, that really helps knowing what is going on, it helps a LOT. I will just hang in there. Thanks all and RIP Steve, its the kids and Terri that break my heart. Wendy
I had a great response to MTX and Plaquenil and am back to what I like to call my new normal. I believe that the meds are a forever kind of thing, though I have heard some who have tried to wean them after doing well for awhile. Me, I don't want to do anything to rock the boat. Many who have tried to go off the meds when doing well have regretted that decision.
Jeanne
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com