Newly Diagnosed looking for insight *waves*

[ircmannj]

Hello everyone, I can't be more glad to have found such an informative and good-willed site for all of us going through this journey.

I'm 30 years old and was recently diagnosed with seronegative RA about 1 month ago, after having some strange symptoms for about 2 months. It all started after my mother was diagnosed with RA, it was very strange that I started getting some weird symptoms, such as pinches all over my fingers and toes and mild redness and swelling on some of my DIP finger joints, which another rheumy attributed to neuropathy and wouldn't diagnose me. After going to 2 different rheumys I was able to get diagnosed by my current doctor and started 7.5mg Methotrexate weekly, I had been on 5mg Prednisone for a week, then lowered it to 2.5mg for another week and after my second dose of Methotrexate I was able to discontinue it even though I get a little paranoid sometimes and take Naproxen just to be sure I'll be fine at work. My main question is, has anyone had this type of experience where Methotrexate starts working after the second week of taking it? At the moment, I still have a few knee aches here and there and have noticed some weird marks on the joints closest to the fingernails but I've returned to work and have been feeling relatively fine.

I recently got a promotion at work and I'm super nervous on how everything will be in the future, as in for how many more years will I be able to work to support my family. Nevertheless, I have decided to stay positive while adjusting my diet and getting plenty of exercise. Sorry for the long post!

[FunBalloon]

Welcome to the group. I'm 25 and was also diagnosed with seronegative RA to begin with (5 years ago). The diagnosis has now been changed to psoriatic arthritis because it affects my DIPs and my spine which only happened recently ( I don't have psoriasis) . So that could be another idea for you. I'm on mtx injections with sulfasalazine and hydroxchloroquine now but started off on mtx alone. It started to work really quickly and I have to say that it really gave me my life back. So I'm sure you can feel some improvement. I personally try to pace myself when it comes to work. Some days you feel better and others you feel worse. This is a lovely community. So I hope you find answers to your questions x

[ircmannj in reply to FunBalloon]

Thank you for your input! Psoriatic arthritis sounds more like what I have, DIP joints have been my main concern and I have started experiencing some neck/back pain. I'm just trying to keep a good posture and hopefully the Methotrexate helps me with that as well.

[Hidden]

It could be a coincidence. This disease can flare up and last a short amount of time or if it could last for weeks or months. Methotrexate worked within 6 weeks when I was first diagnosed and I did well for 3 years but last year things changed dramatically and now trying other meds as we’ll. welcome this a great site with lots of helpful people.

[ircmannj in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your input, I hope the new meds get you up and running very soon! Best wishes!

[helixhelix]

It is possible that it was the prednisone that was making you improve, not the MTX. 7.5mg is barely a therapeutic dose, and it usually needs to build up over a few weeks.

At your age, with proper treatment, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to have a normal working life. Looking after yourself as you are doing is a great idea, and could well keep things under control. But do try to manage your stress.

[ircmannj in reply to helixhelix]

Thank you for your reply, I stopped the prednisone about a week ago and still haven't noticed any difference from when I was on it...Hopefully it stays that way. I really appreciate your kind words, best wishes!

[nomoreheels]

Hiya & welcome. MTX usually takes around 12 weeks to be fully working, sometimes more but subtle changes can be seen from a few weeks. What I think is more likely is that you were piggybacking the prednisolone, it can stay in your body a little while after stopping it. Alternatively it could be that the pred tackled the inflammation enough if you have limited involvement. You're young too, that could be on your side!

Hope this helps.

[ircmannj]

Thank you for your kind words. I've also noticed that my change in diet has given me more energy and the fact that I came back to work has played an important role on my mental well-being, which seems to be more important than what I thought. Best Wishes!

[nomoreheels in reply to ircmannj]

You're welcome. Yes, diet can help, as long as it's well balanced & based on the recommended Mediterranean diet. Exercise as well, without pushing too hard on affected joints. I also meant to say, I don't know if your Rheumy explained but DIP joints are a rarely affected by RD, they usually affect the PIP & MCP joints. It's usually OA that causes problems on DIPs. I have both & all my DIP joints have Heberden's Nodes, knobbly swellings on the joint.

[ircmannj in reply to nomoreheels]

I'm actually getting a full workout done but thankfully no pain at all while lifting...Yes, he was leaning more toward PSA which affects DIP joints more often. I also have a Heberden's Node on my right ring finger which appeared about 3 weeks after the onset of my symptoms but that's about it...

[Diane004]

The prednisone (steroid) for the inflammation has probably kicked in. You’re on a low dose of Mtx, all the same make sure you take folic acid,