Joints more painful since starting Methotrexate!

[Anikins]

Been quietly reading the posts for a while but really need some advice.

I was diagnosed with sero negative RA 12 months ago. I resisted starting Methotrexate for 10 months due to being nervous about the side effects. Steroid injections worked really well for me and made me feel like a new person for a number of months. 4 weeks ago I started Methotrexate after being told they wouldn't give me any more injections unless I gave it a try.

Up until starting I had felt really well, the Steroid injections had enabled me to get walking and I had joined a dance class and I managed to lose a stone in weight. Within days of my first dose I noticed my fingers started aching, this has got progressively worse (now 4 weeks in) and appears to be spreading to other joints too. Is this just a coincidence or has anyone else experienced this when starting MTX?

[Hidden]

Not sure. However, I did feel worse and not better on methotrexate. I tried it for about six months just to make sure.

If you feel really bad contact your doc. Some folks seem to do well on it, whilst some us feel terrible.

[oldtimer]

Do you think that this might be due to the effects of coming off the steroids?

When I have had an increased dose and then come off I often feel worse for a while. And it is too soon for the methotrexate to be working.

[Anikins in reply to oldtimer]

Thanks for your reply. Will try and stick with it a bit longer to see if the positives kick in!

[Anikins in reply to oldtimer]

Yes it may be that the steroid injection started to wear off as I started the medication, I suppose I've got no way of telling at the moment. Will stick with it and hope it all settles soon. Thanks for taking the time to reply

[Hessie5 in reply to oldtimer]

I agree, it’s sounds like the steroids wearing off indeed.

[Elswick]

12 weeks now been on methotrexate pain easier can walk down stairs etc but feel nauseas and tired all the time see nurse next Wednesday then off on holiday Thursday hope I get some mojo back soon keep chin up x😎🏖

[Anikins in reply to Elswick]

I'm lucky in that I've had minimal nausea (so far)! but do have days where the fatigue kicks in. Good to hear it's helping with your joint pain

[helixhelix]

I'm with oldtimer on this. Very likely the steroid is wearing off and the MTX yet to kick in. I had a similar experience when first diagnosed, but all was well a few mo this later.

[Anikins]

Thanks for taking the time to respond, fingers crossed then!

[Megs4]

Try to stick with the MTX as it takes 2-3 months to work and steroids aren’t supposed to be taken long term. MTX works for many people and also your doc may increase the dose or add other dmards to help longer term. It’s difficult to accept that treatments are slow to help reduce symptoms and often we put up with unpleasant side effects for weeks or months, but the drugs are designed to slow the disease progression and for me they are worth the risk and discomfort. All the best.

[Anikins]

Thanks for your response, I will reassess symptoms after 3 months, fingers crossed

[AgedCrone]

You have been on steroids that damp down the pain for months so the pain will return now you have stopped taking them. You will have felt good.....but the pain was just masked...not gone.

You have a caring doctor who is not taking the easy way out & just leaving you on steroids.

It's not the Mtx that is causing your pain it's just Mother Nature telling you that you do need some treatment.

Mtx can take up to six months to work, so maybe you could get some effective pain relief & just hope you are one of the many who find Mtx is their magic bullet?

On the whole no Dmard is perfect, but there are plenty to choose from if Mtx is not for you.

[Anikins]

I've been having Depo injections rather than steroids by mouth but guessing it has the same effect; it made me feel wonderful! So lovely to have a site where people can share their concerns with those that know, thank you for taking the time to respond

[oKerrio]

I also went down the steroid injection route a few times before starting medication long term but the side effects of steroid injections even though effective short term the long term effects for prolonged use out weighed the benefits. Brittle bones prone to fractures etc scared me more then long term medication. I haven’t myself tried methotrexate but my mum is currently been on it for 2 years with no side effects. Me myself I am on Sulfasalazine and although it’s made me feel quite nauseous and tired it’s outweighed the long term damage steroid injections would have had on my body had I continued them. Have they mentioned Sulfasalazine as an alternative? Hope you find something that works.

[Anikins]

Thanks for replying to my post. Nothing else mentioned as yet, guess I have to give the MTX a good go first. Didn't know about the ling term side effects of steroid jabs as I was just pleased they worked so thank you for the heads up!

[Rheumagal]

I had increased joint pain with mtx and I was not taking any steroids at the time. Everyone is different.

[Anikins in reply to Rheumagal]

Nice to know I'm not alone, I seem to be suffering more and more as each week passes! Did it settle down or did you have to come off Methotrexate. I've had most of my fingers swell like sausages and are so very painful

[Rheumagal in reply to Anikins]

I made the choice to go off methotrexate. I had other severe side effects in addition to the increased joint pain.

You may find that the pain settles down as your body adjusts to the medication.