Shoulder and neck pain

[pool0009]

Hi all, haven't been on here for a while. Hope all are well and not too much pain.

Have been in remission for a couple of years now so in December it was decided by my rheumatologist to stop my methotrexate as I had been reducing it anyway, neck and shoulder pain has started again which is what I had at the very beginning back in 2011 when first diagnosed with RA sero neg. The rheumy at the time insisted the neck and shoulder pain was osteoarthritis, I have my doubts, I feel it's linked to RA, what are anyone's thoughts on this? Plus I am still on leflunomide tablet.

[Jesnaskah]

I always get paranoid and start to freak out when I start to feel again the same way I felt with the onset of RA.

If you were not having any adverse side effects with the reduced MTX, why not just stay on it, since apparently it had been doing something in your favor.

Of course, that's assuming getting off of MTX is the only variable in the situation.

If I were you, I'd march back to the rheumy and ask for my prescription back.... And if she/he argues it's only osteoarthritis, then say "this is a chance to find out, give me the mtx back and if the pain persists, then maybe it's osteo, but if it starts to feel better....well there's your proof."

You know your body. You know what your feeling. Push for what you want. They are here to provide a service to YOU.

That's my two cents. Hope you feel better asap no matter what you do.

[pool0009 in reply to Jesnaskah]

Thank you, the methotrexate was working, but hated taking it, I was hoping that I didn't need it anymore

[helixhelix]

And if doc doesn't agree then ask for scans to be done to see whats actually happening.

[pool0009 in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you, will do that

[sjhewitt42]

Hi.

My RA is very active in my neck and shoulders and whenever I flare it effects these areas first. My Rhumy told me years ago that mine was OA.. I was around 28 at the time. He now admits that my RA is difficult to control and a recent MRI shows lots of deterioration in these joints. Push for a scan and meds as the longer it is left, the more damage is caused. Sarah x