So much pain😥

[Gitaga]

Hi

I resumed Methotrexate last Monday, after a 3 month break.

By the end of Monday I experienced lots of joint pain. The pain in my knees is now extremely excruciating. My ankles, wrists and knees are swollen and so painful. I do believe that I'm having a severe flare.

I'm wondering whether it's because of taking the methotrexate after the break, or it's a mere coincidence.

I'm due for another shot tomorrow. Really not sure if I should take it. I am on prednisone and Leuflunomide. Both are taken daily.

I have taken a break from methotrexate before and have resumed without any significant issues.

And no, I didn't consult with my doctor on this issue. Doctors here are impersonal and very difficult to get hold of either by email or by phone.

What are your thoughts? Did anyone else have a similar experience. Please share.

[bubblyalex]

It would seem strange for it to cause a flare? I’m afraid the only best thing to do is speak to your rheumy team. I’m just about to restart MXT because I was told to stop it for the Covid jab... boy oh boy do I know I’ve not had it though. I am almost as bad as when I had to have urgent 3 times a day care briefly last summer. 😏🍀to you.

[Gitaga in reply to bubblyalex]

Thank you.

[allanah]

I think I would resume if I were you as mtx cuts down inflammation thus your flares. I can only guess you needed the meds and it was coincidence but do talk to your presciber about it x good luck x

[Gitaga in reply to allanah]

I did take the second shot last night. Will see how it goes. Thank you

[allanah in reply to Gitaga]

Good luck x

[lynndemedicis]

Did you start back at your normal dose or did you slowly built to previous dose?

[Gitaga in reply to lynndemedicis]

I did my normal dose. 😏

[EmmaSpicer-NRAS]

Hello Gitaga, I'm sorry to hear about the level of pain you are in. If you would like support information or just someone to speak to, our helpline is open every week day from 9.30am to 4.30pm nras.org.uk/helpline/ 0800 298 7650

[Gitaga in reply to EmmaSpicer-NRAS]

Thank you kindly. I'm in SA

[LinaM]

I can only speak of my own experience and basically my level of swelling and pain increased significantly ( after 2 years of vague swelling) the very week I started mtx. Every time I upped the dose another joint joined in . Eventually after 10 months I stopped and the progression stopped . Maybe a coincidence but I wish I’d stopped immediately and gone with my gut . I know that many people say mtx saved them and I don’t doubt it but it certainly didn’t for me. I’m now really reluctant to try another drug but I know I will have to as this disease is not going away .

[Gitaga in reply to LinaM]

Oh dear! Methotrexate did work for me in the past. I stopped because of the second wave and the new variant discovered in SA. It was a very ominous period. I was worried about being susceptible. I have the taken the second dose. Will wait and see. Thank you for your thoughts.

[Nain68cariad]

Gitaga, It takes a while for Methotrexate to kick in. I've been on and off it for years. Flares up with mtx also happens. Now I think mtx is working for me. Always drink a lot of water after a dose. Try and experiment with various foods. What works for me won't work for you.

If it is any help....I cut out red meat (not completely) also all meat...eat fish or eggs mostly. Take soya milk, tumeric milk, palm sugar, chillies....

Also my life saver has been

5kind natural joint therapy. It is a gel - very soothing on the joints. I buy it from amazon...I use a 300ml pot per month.... hope it is of some help.

[Gitaga in reply to Nain68cariad]

Thank you. Will definitely use your suggestions.

[Skezza]

Hi Gitaga, surprised to hear about your problem.Early last year I stopped taking my MTX 15mg due to worries about the virus. I was concerned about the effect on my immune system.After around 3 weeks my joints started to swell and I was feeling pain that I hadn’t felt for years. I therefore started my MTX again and within a few weeks I felt much better as the swelling and pain had gone. I’ve been taking my MTX since and no issues at all. I cannot therefore understand what has gone wrong in your case unless it was a coincidence? Skezza

[Gitaga in reply to Skezza]

Hi.Yes I was also surprised. Its probably a coincidence. I took a second dose on Monday. The pain is subsiding a bit. Hopefully I can recover soon. Thanks you