Rotten Wrist and MTX Insufficient?

During the festive season (of course!) and I’ve got a lot of swelling, pain and limited use of my right wrist/hand.

I got to my hand therapist on 8/1/19. I’ve got to love this guy - so gentle and intuitive - he was the one who packed me off to my GP when I got diagnosed last year. This time, he whips up a wrist/hand splint and suggests I ring my Rheumy, with a view to reviewing medication, as it “may not be working appropriately”

Although I have to pay for him, (in our “quasi” public health system), I am eternally grateful that I have the choice to line up, trust and freely make appointments with good people, rather than having to get a referral and wait for PH to organise it.

I’m thinking that 10mg/week of MTX is not enough (I’m at week 10). Unfortunately, ringing and speaking with Rheumy has the same hurdles as most people here

Oh well, cheers Deb

[Mmrr]

I understand were you are coming from Isn't it so heart warming when you are treated respectfully ? I hope calling the rheumatologist is as fruitful. Go for it.

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

Wish me luck, it’s her first day back from Xmas break 🤣

[Mmrr in reply to Hidden]

She might just be feeling refreshed after her break 🙃

[Hidden in reply to Mmrr]

She’s had an extra long break. I suspect she’ll be up to the eyeballs in new referrals and issues with current patients - like moi lol

[Catty1988]

Hey out of interest what does the hand therapist do? I have consistent inflammation on my right wrist, would u recommend? Hope ur well x

[Hidden in reply to Catty1988]

He’s made me a splint for me to wear for the next 4-6 weeks. This rests the tendon (and the rest of the wrist), which helps the swelling to go down and prevents further damage. In Australia they are called occupational therapists with a specialisation in hands. He’s the first person I go to when fingers, and now wrists, are playing up. Hope that’s clear for you, cheers Deb

[Catty1988 in reply to Hidden]

Ooh yeah that makes sense, hope the splint is helping you. Thanks for replying x

[Joy_1]

Hi

A couple of years ago my right wrist became very painful and then swelled to the point that I could not use it at all. At the time I was Azathioprine. My consultant moved me on to MTX as he concluded that Aza was not working for me.

I also had a steroid jab into my wrist. It was not at all painful. And within 2 days my wrist was around 75% better and back to normal within a couple more days.

It took 15mg of MTX to control my RA back then. And according to what I have read 15 to 20mg is the average dose. Though of course there are always exceptions in this RA game. I have friend who functions well on 10mg and another who needs 25mg to keep her RA under control. I am now on 20mg which is the dose that is really working for me.

Joy