Hi to all in the Forum.
I have had my 1st visitto a RD who has put me on MTX for PA. 2.5mgs x 3 and folice acid twice a week. I have had mild P since my 20s and am now 46. I have had joint pain in knee, hands, wrists and elbow since February but no real stiffness yet. I wonder if there are other drugs that I should try first? Is it normal to be put on MTX so soon? I am finding this very scary. Silly me, I thought that I just need to take the pills, wait a few weeks and then all will be back to normal. The more I read about PA and the treastments the more I panic and am in full flight now. Find the drinks ban hard to take as it will involve a big life style change for me. Does hair always thin out, doc didn't say a thing about that to me. Can someone there give me some much needed words of wisdom.
Hi Chris welcome to the board. It is not that unusual for a doc to start with mtx and treat aggressively right off the bat. Maybe yours did that since you have had the mild PA since your 20's and wants to try and prevent any further damage from happening.
Opinions differ from doc to doc on the drinking. Most people have a couple of beers or glasses of wine a week on the mtx.
Because mtx is a chemotherapy drug (we take it in much smaller doses), it can cause the same side effects tho. The folic acid helps to prevent but doesn't always stop the thinning hair, mouth sores, etc. I have one thinning spot on the top of my head in the front of course! Hopefully you won't get that side effect and your hair stays on your head. It isn't usually a major hair loss if you do experience that side effect.
Don't panic. Right now concentrate on getting better. Maybe look at it like this....the treatments look like they really suck...BUT you are not at the point yet where you would need the treatments you are worrying about and if it EVER even gets to that point....the treatments can allow you to lead a good life. It is better than not getting out of bed every morning and not being able to do anything but lie like a lump on the couch and be in miserable pain and stiffness.
I'm sure you have a bizillion other questions and feel free to ask them. There are great people here with a wealth of info that will be able to help you out.
Dear Chris, that does seem like a lot of MTX, but like the others have said, your doctor can see what is going on with your joints, etc. My doc always looks at the joints in my hands, and feet that are abnormal. My R pointing finger joint (top) is enlarged, and the finger goes at a strange angle. (I've had this stuff for 15 years and didn't treat it for the first 5, so this disease caused joint damage)
You can always adjust the amount of medication you are taking, the Rhemys do it all the time. When your pain stops, and he/she sees you are responding to the MTX, which could take months!, you can reduce the amount. WE , of the board, understand this is a small amount of this drug (it sounds like a lot), but isn't. Everyone here kept telling me to BE PATIENT when I was waiting for relief from my pain, stiffness, and swelling.
I was scared to take plaquenil (ended up with severe head aches) and then the mtx was the best for me. Please remember when you read about the effects it may not apply to you, and that when you read about it ,it may be for 'cancer' patients.
I do have some hair loss, (I take 6 x 2.5mgs 1 day a week) but not clumps or anything like that (thinning is a good term, but it grows back).
I hope you stay on the drugs, give it awhile, and get rid of the pain, but if you have other problems GET on the phone and bug them (the office staff often gets help for you), then you can ask to adjust the amount.
Good luck sorting all of this out, I know it is unnerving, sarah
Thanks everyone for your responses, they have been very helpful. I have found this site so helpful and will be asking loads more questions. I don't think 7.5 mg is a lot of mtx....I'm on 20! It does seem odd that it'sHi Chris, to answer your questions: No, it's not a high dose of MXT to start with. Your RD may increase depending on your response. I've not had problems with MXT, no hair loss, no mouth sores, no nausea, no diarrhea, just fatigue the following day. When I began MXT I had some nause, diarrhea, and extreme fatigue but after about a month all the problems disappeared. I was started on 12.5 mgs. of MXT and have been increased to 20.5 and am at 17.5 presently. Never adjust the dose of MXT on your own, only adjust when your RD requests you to.
My RD said that I could have a drink or two each month. I never have more than 2 drinks a month and it's usually a beer or a glass of wine.
Yes, there are aspects of your life that will change due to developing a chronic illness. Some changes are good and some not so good, but you do what you have to do to make it easier to function. I have quite a bit of damage because I was stubborn, in denial, and didn't follow my physician's advice. Presently, it's difficult for me to continue my art and I can't golf, much less get down and scrub the floor. Don't be stubborn. You'll always be frightened in some way. I think we all are.
One of the most important aspects of improving with RA/PA/OA is to educate yourself about the disease process and medications involved in treatment. The other important thing to do is keep your friends and family close. They will be a great support system for you. Keep socializing no matter how you feel. There will be times when you just can't do it and that's ok. But don't feel that you have to give up your life because of a chronic illness and medication.
Having a chronic illness is a life long learning process. Some things you'll do right and some you'll mess up and that's ok. Just make sure you keep going. Keep us posted on your progress. I hope that MXT helps you.
Hi Chris. I have PA also and the MTX sure took the swelling down a lot. My hair is holding up pretty good with the Folic acid.Linb, many thanks of all that info. It's great to hear about your side effects. I know everyone is different but that positive news is just what I needed today.