Suffering with RA

[cl19]

Hello everyone I was recently diagnosed with RA in my hands, as many of you know pain is unbearable, and the swelling very unpleasant. My doctor has tried one medication, nothing ,I see her tomorrow where she is talking about putting me on Methotrexate, either injections or pills, what have you found the best and fastest to stop this horrible pain. Are side effects as bad as I have read.To top it all just had a gall bladder attack which was removed with huge gallstones, then a pacemaker. Yes a lot at one time , but my hands hurt the most. Please give me some of your experiences, oh yes my name is Claudette.

[KittyJ]

Hello and welcome Claudette. I hope you find the group useful as you begin your RA journey.

Unfortunately there is no one med regime that suits and works for everyone. It’s very much trial and error until you find the med or combination that works for you. Having said that, I have been on methotrexate for nearly 20 years now and I do not have any side effects. Try not to worry about possible side effects as you may not get any. There are alot of people here on mtx and they are doing very well on it. It does take a few months to work so you do need to be patient but 🤞🏻it works well for you. I’d talk to your rheumy about pain relief in the meantime too. Let us know how you go😊

[cl19 in reply to KittyJ]

Thank you Kitty J for answering so quickly, yes I will ask her for something that will work fast as I don't think I can stand the pain in my hands much longer it as you know is so painful , will let you know tomorrow what she says. .

[sylvi]

Claudette. I am on MTX injections and ever since I have been on them I haven't had any problems with this drug.xxxx

[cl19 in reply to sylvi]

Tks sylvi looking forward to positive results tomorrow

[yarts]

Hi Claudette, I was diagnosed 15 years ago and have been through every medication, finally on the latest biological which is working quite well. Unfortunately mtx didn't work for me but it does for a lot of people so don't be afraid to try it, the only thing that worked quickly for me was prednisolone and I am still on a small 2.5 mg dose which I can't manage without.

Good luck and hope things improve soon.

[cl19]

Tks yarts hope tomorrow I get good news and it works appreciate your comments.

[oldtimer]

It will still take some time for the medication to work. Most people find improvement after 6-12 weeks, but it may take longer than that if the dose is started low and gradually increased.

You might want to discuss having a covering course of steroid medication, either with tablets or an intramuscular injection, which would help with the pain and swelling until the methotrexate starts working.

Many people do well on methotrexate - and are well controlled long-term. Others don't, and unfortunately, it is still trial and error until the correct treatment for you, as an individual, is found.

Have a look, too, at the pages on treatment on the NRAS website as that will give you an idea of the large range of medication now available to keep your auto-immune system from attacking and damaging your joints (and other bits of you).

[cl19]

Thanks oldtimer i will speak to her about that . Jokingly are you old I just turned 73 but have always been very active with my two wonderful grandsons. In fact my youngest 13 says Gram on my birthday card he made me at Christmas says you only look 30 to me , while my 15 years old grandson painted me a beautiful picture and said the same thing. These days with my hands wrapped in a heating pad glad they are in school all day.

[GranAmie]

feel for you and with you. ice baths for hands or even cold water helped me some as did compression gloves from hospital, giving hands support. Cutting out meat and alcohol also helped. I find bitter foods, artichokes, dill pickles, sprouts, apricots also calm the inflammation a lot. Sugary stuff, fizzy drinks increase it, for me xx

[cl19 in reply to GranAmie]

Tks GranAmie for all the stuff to avoid I had a feeling wine may be on the list so bought a bottle to share tonight,Im surprised at the calming foods.I will also take all your information down, I plan to start a journal tomorrow after I see the doctor , then will keep track of everything that causes flare ups. I am so glad my friend gave me this website you are all so kind.💖

[GranAmie in reply to cl19]

raspberries! I forgot them - to reduce inflammation. Re wine - yesterday had 1.5 glasses of rosado/rose - had an overheated night , apart from usual burning feet. My own fault as didn't mix it 50/50 with water which is what i usually do :(. Did I mention kefir for gut health, too? I'm quite keen on this approach tho' don't think i'd risk refusing my biologic which has been pretty successful after other failures. all the best 2u

[ma73jon]

Hi dear Claudette , sorry to hear you suffer ...I'am too ...

Ask your rheumy if Arcoxia will help , in the beginning was very helpful for me ...(I was diagnosed 8 years ago )

Hands in hot water .

Injection with cortisone (abroad)don't know the name here ...

This worked for me in the past ,now anything .

I'm waiting for biologic after a long time with many other combinations of drugs.

Feel well soon !

Claudia

[cl19]

Hi Claudia,

Thanks for your lovely letter, yes we know the suffering with this disease, I have decided I am going to win. My husband has beat four serious cancers and has now been diagnosed with the early stages of Alzheimer. So all your great messages have mentally helped me. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. My prayers are with all of you please pray for me too. Tks. Claudette 🙏🙏🙏

[Oshgosh]

Looking back 10 years I had very painful hands,these were treated with steroid injections,whichhadlittleeffect.wouldnt havethem again. So now I have been diagnosed with lupus and NSIP. ( lungs)

I get a bit fed up. I as diagnosed so late,but I don’t suppose it would have made much difference in the long run.