Hi. Just started Methotrexate and I seem to be experiencing more symptoms. I don't mean the side effects e.g. nausea rather joint and muscle discomfort. It could be the weather I suppose or the fact that I've not been as active over the last week or so but wonder if anyone else had experienced the same type of thing.
(I have a vague diagnosis of inflammatory arthritis possible PsA and/or other connective tissue disorder possibly Scleroderma)
Thanks in advance.
Obviously just my experience but I get that , I'm often sore a couple of days after treatment then it settles down. Maybe naively I think it shows the drugs are working!
However of course as you dont have a definate diagnosis you should tell your doctor . Xxx hope the treatment helps xx
My first thought is that it's either coincidence in that your joints would have done this anyway whether you'd started the Methotrexate or not, or it's the other things you've mentioned (weather, activity levels.) If you've only just started it, it won't be working properly yet as it takes a while to build up in your system - 12 weeks is usually suggested.
My joints seemed to be getting worse after Methotrexate dose increase but it was the uncontrolled disease rather than the drug itself. Now that I'm on the highest dose and have added Sulfasalazine to that and Hydroxychloroquine, I'm seeing real improvement. I've got sero-positive RA.
Good point! It could be the condition itself progressing ...fighting back!!
My symptoms improved greatly when I started Prenisolone but crept back a bit when the dose was reduced. I've been ok though. It's managable and it was stable....I thought. Just surprised (maybe disappointed) that some discomfort has returned. I suppose I should get used to it. Doing fine overall though so 👍. Cx
My RA symptoms definitely got progressively worse for the first 5 or 6 weeks of taking mtx but it wasn't the mtx causing them (even though it did feel like it for a while) but simply the onward progression of the disease until the mtx actually started having an effect (which started to kick in around 8 or 9 weeks)...
That said, I do still find I sometimes feel a little more achey the day after I've taken the mtx but it's definitely nothing like as bad as it used to be.
Hang in there... and I really hope you start feeling some real improvement very soon... x
Mtx can take a few months to start working so it’s quite common to feel you’re getting worse or actually get worse until the mtx starts to take effect. Have you had a look at NRAS to get some suggestions of things that might help whilst you wait for your meds to work? Some might help even if you don’t yet have a form diagnosis. Here’s a link to start with 😊
Thank you! Got a feeling I might have scleroderma (consultants disagree) or a mixed connective tissue disorder so it's tricky but you're right much of the care is the same. I've heard so many amazing things about Methotrexate, I was prepared for side effects but expected to feel little difference for a month or two. Just confused me a little. Cx
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