Bazaar blood results.

[Pipcat15]

Im on methotrexate and folic acid. I keep having bloods taken because im in so much pain and discomfort. But docs keep telling me all bloods are normal. I can barely walk and can not make a fist. How is this normal? . I have been tested for other bone disease and nothing has come up. I do have a vitamin d deficiency but that has risen to acceptable levels now. Can't do my job, feel like im loosing the battle

[Hidden]

I feel for you its hard we all know how you feel and I don't know the answer to it all hope you get the support you need I have had loads on here you can feel very much alone its never ending

[bevlin]

How long have you been on the Methotraxate? It was a good three months before I felt the benefit of this drug and I would say about six months before I became pain free. I am on Methotraxate and Folic acid and have no need for pain killers as these drugs keep me pain free and able to work. I work as a childminder and struggled before the drugs kicked in, have been on them for twelve years now with no problems and am still working looking after children from 7.30 am till they go at 6pm! Keep persevering...it does get better,

[Chatham]

They should stop treating the blood results and treat YOU. You know how you feel and the drugs are not working for you. It's about time they tried something else.

Many of us have so called "normal blood results" but it doesn't mean that 1st - you don't have the Disease or - 2nd the disease is under control. Any chance of changing Doctor? We do have to be more "pushy" and not accept being fobbed off by Docs who are not up with the modern way of treating this disease.

I have naturally low inflammation markers. My new Consultant accepted this and now takes notice of how I actually feel. Checks my joints or any "hot spots" I have.

(First Consultant I had did check my joints on first visit but no "eye contact" and kept muttering about the "normal" bloods. )

I think that now that I'm in a partnership (with the Nurse) working to try and control this Disease. The Consultant also accepted that even getting the Disease under control won't stop the pain as the damage has already been done. Got my GP to arrange an appointment with Pain Clinic. Best thing ever. That Doctor really listened and understood how this disease works, acknowledge that the way the pain shows its self can be hard to manage especially when a flare hits out of the blue. Wrote me up for strong meds that I take twice a day plus a quick acting mixture that I can take if the pain breaks through.

My Nurse, who is see most of the time said that if I have given a Med or med combination a good try and it's not helping then it's time to try something else. As she said there are more meds being added to the list each year sooner or later I'll hit the right one.

[Pipcat15]

Hi all thank you all for your help

Ive been on methotrexate and folic acid for 5 years now. I was pain free and took now painkillers for 3 of those . Happy days. Unfortunately in the last 9 months ive been getting worse. I im really gonna be pushy next appointment need answers. Change of drug. Better pain relief and im im not happy a second opinion from sombody else. Need this sorting my job is at stake as well as my quality of life.