hello all... i was diagnosed with PA more than 10 years ago... it came on all of a sudden and was almost unbearable in my right index finger and left ring finger... after a few months of naproxen, i was fine for awhile.. a few years later, it flared up in my toes of my left foot and wreaked havoc... felt like a lit match inside the toes instead of bones... horrible swelling... then again, after a few months.. pretty much subsided (with occasional flare-ups) But last year, it came back with a vengence... hands, feet, ankles, knees... gradually getting worse and some days incapacitating... the doctors and I have tried many things starting with anti-inflammatory meds. A few months ago, I tried sulfasalazide even though I'm allergic to sulfa meds and could not continue so my doctor switched me to MTX... I'm don't like to wait around for drugs to take effect, but was told it would take 3-4 months to start feeling effect of MTX (is this anyone else's experience?). I had heard such good things about MTX that I have suffered through and actually felt like the PA was getting worse. (again anyone else experience this?). I've been in a funk over the PA because I can't get up and go like I like to.. I can't help out with simple chores around the house... Even when I do feel like doing something, I usually pay for it later on or the next day... I've been on prednisone 2 different times when the pain became unbearable and it helps tremendously, however, I don't want to overuse it because of the long term effects it can have on a body... last week, something felt like a breakthrough.. with no warning, I suddenly felt better... able to walk without hobbling, and have more energy... and my mood has lifted a great deal as well... I don't know if this is the MTX finally kicking in (I have a dr's appt tomorrow and was going to ask for something else, like Humira because I didn't feel like the MTX was doing anything). Does anyone have any wisdom or info they can share about this? I'm so grateful for these days of feeling good, and enjoying my freedom for sure, but I'm a bit scared that the pain is going to come back as quickly as it seemed to leave and I'll have missed my chance to request a new treatment this month... by the way, most of the pain and swelling in my feet, ankles and knees has subsided, but the affected joints in my hands are just as bad as they've always been... comments?
Thanks for listening to my "woes"...
Hi, I tried taking MTX 5 or 6 years ago and had to quit taking it due to side effects. I would get sick constantly and miss work. I would get colds or infections and have to be put on antibiotics for weeks. I would feel sick to my stomach and had to get my blood drawn once a month. It really didn't help me. To be honest, I really didn't know that people still used MTX. I thought it was more of an ancient treatment. I have been on Enbrel for over 2 years and LOVE it. It has cured my psoriatic arthritis. I love it. I don't know if your recent boost in your mood and pain free days are from the MTX or not. Hard telling. But, I think it would be worth it to try either Enbrel or Humira. Some people take MTX while taking Enbrel at the same time. That's an option too. Good luck.
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