Really glad to be here.

[Hettydavis]

I was diagnosed with RA last week. Placed on Methotrexate and prednisolone. I am here to learn all I can. Thanks for all your responses so far.

[Hidden]

Welcome to our group Hetty, but we're obviously sad you have to be here. Much knowledge and expertise here for you to take advantage of. If you haven't already, may I suggest you visit the NRAS website - nras.org.uk/

They have lots of booklets you can either download, or send away for and the Freephone Helpline: 0800 298 7650, Opening times: Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4.30pm is another way to find out anything about your disease you need to know.

All the best

[Lyndy]

Hello Hetty

Mtx is gold standard treatment... many tolerate it very well ( not me sadly) and it works.

Pred is more of a double edged sword... it can give great relief but don’t let them leave you on it for any length of time... steroids are not good meds long term. Best of luck on your journey xx

[Hidden in reply to Lyndy]

agree with steroids do enough to keep you sane whilst MTX kicks in but if possible working with your rheumy team taper down if you can, as they mask symptoms in many of us and make us feel wonderful!

[springcross]

Hi Hettydavis. I was diagnosed with RA last August. I'm also on Methotrexate and Prednisalone. Initially I was on 7.5 but because of stomach problems (although I am on Omeprazole), I was reduced to 5 mg for a couple of weeks then told to reduce month by month 4, 3, 2 and than 1 for a month. Some pain came back when I first started to reduce but it's not so bad now. It will probably get worse again when I drop from 3 mg to 2 mg in a couple of weeks. I have also had two of the buttock injections. I find that the uncoated Prednisalone is better for me than the coated - could be something to do with the artificial colourants they put in the coating. Mine were a disgusting red colour for one strength and black for the other and I had nausea when I was taking them so I asked for uncoated and it seemed to help greatly.