Increased meds

[Jacki08]

Hi--- my mthx has been increased from 15 to 20 mgs--- does anyone know if I will have to wait the "" magic"" 12 weeks for the extra dosage to kick in. ? I still feel heaps better in myself but can't seem to get rid of the shoulder and hand pain- in spite of Co Codamol and celoxib. Thanks xx

[nomoreheels]

No Jacki, but it won't be the next day either! You'll hopefully notice a difference in your symptoms gradually over a the next few weeks. Unfortunately my liver objected going from 15mg to 20 so I had to drop down again after 3 months & my NSAID was changed from a COX to a COX-2. You should notice an improvement in your bloods next time if it's working for you. x

[Jacki08 in reply to nomoreheels]

Thanks nmh --- my bloods don't show anything --- always normal. It's the swelling and stiffness that they judge me on. I do realise how lucky I am to have the "" RD team"" that I have--- bloods followed by rheumatoid nurse app every 2 weeks - but sometimes you need advice of fellow sufferers xx

[nomoreheels in reply to Jacki08]

It can be more helpful asking those who have experienced it that's for sure. I'd heard it was a good team & why I thought it was the perfect opportunity to go to the NRAS meeting there. Did you get my pm explaining? x

By the way I still take co-co's & etoricoxib plus steroids, can't get rid!

[nomoreheels in reply to nomoreheels]

Are you still on HCQ? That could be why you have dry eyes. I tried persevering with comfort drops but in the end gave them up & found my eyes improved & my eyesight. They were also very sensitive to sunlight & I needed sunglasses when outside. My b-i-l says that my sight could have improved anyway, age related, because I need glasses for close work now & not really for distance any more. I wore contacts as I was short sighted & don't need them any more.

[Jacki08 in reply to nomoreheels]

Yep-- got your message thanks-- replied saying all the best for op etc ( at least it said that the message had been sent!!) Yes still on hydrox -- might mention gritty eyes next time I go to clinic. Loving the fact that lost that really horrid"""FLUEY"" feeling I had for years---- just need the pain more controlled. Do the methx injections work more than tablets? ☺xx

[nomoreheels in reply to Jacki08]

I certainly noticed a difference & others have reported it too. I've never been able to just take MTX & folic acid unfortunately but when I've had a break from it I know about it pretty soon & any of my mix but it's MTX that holds it all together! Guess you've had it lingering there for some time... flu-like symptoms is a good indicator but guess easily misunderstood by GP's if there are no other symptoms present & no bloods taken.

I would think it's the HCQ affecting your eyes, common side effect, can't quite remember how soon I was troubled with dry, scratchy eyes though. As I said I gave contacts up in the end & being in Spain basically lived in sunglasses! Did your Rheumy mention or arrange for you to have yearly eye checks? You may do anyway with wearing contacts.

Not received pm, not sure why! x ;

[Ali_H]

Hi Jacki08,

My MTX went up from 15 to 20 at the end of November and by my appointment on the 5th January the remaining swelling in my knuckles and pain in my big toe joints & left thumb has almost gone but my pain has always been on the 'low' side.

I am now on MTX 20mg and there is no current plans to add another DMARD to control my RA - shame I can't get the same results re my dry eyes!

Hopefully you will start to see results over the next few weeks

Good luck

Ali

[Jacki08]

ThanksAli------ hope it works as well for me--'guess I'm just impatient -- they did say they would add something else to the mix if doesn't work. The dry eyes are awful aren't they--- I struggle with contacts these days!!

[Ali_H]

I got a home facial steam treatment thingame from Argos the other day and a few sessions with that seems to be helping my dry eyes a little and my skin is looking great too - I wish!!!

[Hidden]

My liver puked after it was increased several years ago... it actually enlarged. Shucks. I switched over to a pill form.. same thing. I was just starting to feel better with my joints showing more free movement without pain so I was hugely disappointed. Have that checked and do not forget the folic acid...that's so, so, so important to counteract the horrible side effects. I was on MTX for 3 years before it was increased to your doseage.

[Jacki08 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks--'sorry to hear it didn't work for you. Has your liver recovered now? I have 2 weekly bloods done and take folic acid 6 times a day .I just struggle with the pain,"esp as I work full time.