Just joined, wanted to say Hi

[spanner55]

Hi, just join, I’ve recently been diagnosed with RA and put on methotrexate, which really hasn’t gone well. Looking forward to learning and talking to people.

[Hidden]

Hi spanner welcome to this wonderful forum. People on here really understand and are so knowledgeable. Feel free to ask any questions. Methotrexate is a love hate relationship with most on here and often takes up to 3 months before you feel the benefit .

Sorry you’ve had to join us but your not on your own

[spanner55 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

[D_aisy]

Hi Spanner, I'm a newbie too. Just dropped my third lot of mtx. I've been lucky with not tmfeeling too rough though. I've learned loads from this forum, it's definitly the best I've found. Lovely advice and honest without people being judgy. Crap disease to have but you're not alone 😀

[spanner55 in reply to D_aisy]

Thanks, been taking the tablets but they now going to try the injections 😬

[Hidden in reply to spanner55]

I have just taken my first one yesterDAY and it has whipped my butt sleep wise but I know takes time to settle and so some patience needed too.

I did not get on with the pills due to nausea so trying injections. I am on about week 17

Good luck with everything and keep a journal so you know what happens as you go along.

[D_aisy in reply to Hidden]

I second this, my little daily diary about my joints and how I feel has been really helpful for me. I worked out last week that taking the methotrexate with my dinner and then getting an early night really helped me to ward off the nausia so I'm trying it again today. It's useful after a few weeks to read back.

[Hidden in reply to spanner55]

I changed from tabs to injections. I much prefer the injections dead easy to use and doesn’t hurt. I do get RD hangovers just like having too much to drink some hangovers worse than others

[Buckybri]

I also after 20 weeks went on the injections , I really struggled even four days after I was feeling sick ,out of one week I had three days where I felt no sickness and none of that horrible feeling that’s hard to describe. I felt that I was taking this medicine that made me feel awful and it did nothing at all , then I took folic acid everyday except for the day that I took the pills but I still felt no better it was horrible , I felt so down and it had a massive effect on my home life and family . I’m now on the injection and I have no side effects whatsoever but the mtx has not helped me after almost a year so now I’ve qualified for the biological medicine which I start in two weeks time , I have not much idea about it and have to go to see the specialist next week . I hope u do ok on the mtx and if it keeps making you poorly ring the help line and see yr rhumy doc . All the best and keep strong because I think there is light at the end of the tunnel it just takes time to see it . Good luck .

[spanner55 in reply to Buckybri]

thank you, just want to start feeling better, hope it goes well for you next week 🤞

[Buckybri in reply to spanner55]

Thank you if it keeps making you poorly then speak to yr specialist , they prob will want to give u more time on the meds to see if u get better , the injections obviously cost more than the tablets so it’s prob all about money , my nurse told me that most people end up going on the injection.

[spanner55 in reply to Buckybri]

Yes been taking tablets since December, given it a good go but they’ve said i’m seem ideal for injection because side effects i’m experiencing 1st injection next week 🤞🤞

[KittyJ]

Hi and welcome spanner55, feel free to tell us your RA journey and ask any questions. We’ve all been where you are now 😊

[JFlay]

I struggled with mtx tablets for 6 months but I wasn't even offered the injections 🙄😕 I'm now on different dmard which luckily seems to be working.

[francko in reply to JFlay]

I'm curious, which DMARD did they switch you to? I'm roughly in the same place but they are going to switch me to injections before trying another DMARD in addition to MTX. I've done OK on MTX, i.e. few side effects, but it hasn't been fully effective at the current dose of 20mg/week.

[JFlay in reply to francko]

Hi, after a discussion with rheum I decided to try hydroxy. It has been very slow to work though but feel better in myself than when on mtx. Maybe you need another dmard adding? but from what I've read here the injections are more effective than the tablets. Hope it goes well.

[francko in reply to JFlay]

Thanks! Just waiting for a phone call to set up an appointment to be 'trained' on how to inject myself. Just put a video on Youtube and let's get on with it

[Kitkat27]

Hi and welcome I struggled with methotrexate initially but persevered and it settled (dizzy and feeling sick) now on 20mg with hydroxychloriquine added and sulfasalazine both on a daily basis this seems to keep it generally at bay and swelling has mainly gone however wrist damage is not reversible which occurred whilst they got the meds right (2 years) I was lucky enough to go private initially now transferred to local nhs and lucky if I get an appoint once a year.

It’s a journey and I wish you well hope the meds settle for you x

[spanner55 in reply to Kitkat27]

Thank you, they did say I could change but wanted to try injection first, glad you had found the right meds for you, sorry to hear about the damage done, really hope it doesn’t take me 2 years 😏😏 x

[Julia-norfolk]

Hi I’ve been on methotrexate for a long time and find it amazing. I have had RA for 37 years and I don’t have any pain at all it’s amazing. I know methotrexate doesn’t suit everyone but I must be one of the luckier ones so you might find it takes a while to work. Good luck.

[spanner55 in reply to Julia-norfolk]

Thank you 🤞🤞

[stbernhard]

Hi spanner, there is a heck of a lot to learn after you've been diagnosed. A very good source of information is the NRAS website and their help line. Worth a look! I live with RA since 2009 and still look for new things to learn about self management etc. All the best.

[Mmrr]

Welcome

[Suzuki-ltr450]

Hi , on methotrexate on 25 mg per week and a folic acid 1 a day 6 days., and blood tests every two months,,, at moment things seem ok ,,,did have stop taking for 3 weeks when first started as didn’t agree , but never been offered anything different ,

[Nuttyshirlz]

Hiya I’m also on Mtx being on it a few years now. Wouldn’t be without. You gotta give it time to get into your system. Think everyone has it rough at start. I was told off my nurse to give it time. Drink lots of water before you take it and after you will find it will help. 🙂

[Pulfs]

Hi spanner55 welcome to our friendly club where there is support and laughter to keep us all going. Had RA 25yrs and still doing ok xx

[Mumcon]

Hi spanner I’m relatively new to this forum I was on Methotrexate tabs for a few years before going on injections It’s so much easier and I feel it’s kinder to the system, but as everyone says it takes a few months until everything settles I wish you luck🙂

[Drmadclan]

Hi Spanner

Welcome to the group, I've been on methertrexate for 10 years (on 20mg injection) it dose slow down the deterioration it's the blood tests that get me, but it dose work so stick with it

Dave

[spanner55 in reply to Drmadclan]

Thanks, tablets not been good at all so really hoping the injection is better 🤞🤞

[Paisley58]

Welcome Spanner 55, sorry you have had to join as living with this disease isn't easy but glad you have found this space because everyone here is wonderful and the wealth of knowledge and advice will never fail you. Wish you the best on this journey, and know that everyone here is in your corner.