new to RA and the effects of medication: I am newly... - NRAS

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new to RA and the effects of medication

grannym12 profile image
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I am newly diagnosed with seropositive RA and was on 10 mg of methotrexate. I also take Tramadol for pain and folic acid every day except the day I take the RA medication. I have been raised to 15 mg of metho and have taken it for 2 doses. After taking my last dose I have been in bed for the last 3 days. I could barely walk yesterday and my body just aches, especially my legs. Muscles feel like I have started a new program of exercise if you know what I mean. Nausea is almost ever present but not to vomiting stage. Is this the norm?

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Tiggerlkr profile image
Tiggerlkr

I'm also newly diagnosed and am now on 25mg metho per week and also oral steroids as the injections haven't helped. Have spent most of the last week in bed with nausea and fatigue. When I mentioned it I was told to increase the folic acid to combat the nausea so far has not worked. I'm hoping this will get better soon as I am unable to do anything just want to lay in bed and cry.

grannym12 profile image
grannym12 in reply to Tiggerlkr

I understand completely and can so relate to what you are saying. I don't seem to see any improvement with pain or anything else actually since starting metho@ 10 mg for 6 weeks and then raising to 15mg and have taken that for 2 weeks now. I feel like it's a lost cause trying to get medical help with all this since I only seem to be getting worse

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply to Tiggerlkr

I know this will sound cruel but do try to get up & potter gently.

When I was first diagnosed I felt as you do, but living alone I had to get up to get food/drink.

After a while it dawned in me that I really did feel a bit better as I tottered around.....try to get off the oral steroids ASAP.

Hope things settle for you very soon.

FionaHerts profile image
FionaHerts

I started on Methotrexate last September. I felt like I'd been hit with a sledge hammer, foggy head, no taste in my mouth, very tired, etc. A couple of weeks in my joint pains got much worse. I couldn't believe how bad I was feeling and was all for stopping the tablets.

However, the aches soon improved and 3 months in My RA symptoms were much improved. Then one day I woke up with a clear head, the brain fog had lifted!

Hang on in there! It will get better. These drugs take around 12 weeks to work fully. At the moment you'll still have your Rheumatoid problems, plus the side effects of the drug and not seeing the benefits yet. It's a difficult time, but it will improve.

Just to remind me how much the Methotrexate helps, I had to come down to a 7.5mg dose for several weeks at Christmas. I had the worst flare I've ever had. I was so glad to be able to increase my Methotrexate dose again. I was almost looking forward to taking my weekly dose!

Best wishes

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