MTX not working

[candyangel]

I had a phone appointment with my consultant a few days ago, she has actually just taken over from my previous consultant who has apparently retired, so she is trying to familiarise herself with her new patients, so she asked how I had been lately, and I told her that I am still suffering a lot with fatigue, and have been getting pain, on and off in my back, so she thinks the MTX is not working properly, she said we could increase the dosage, I am currently on 20 mg, but I told her about how it has wrecked my skin especially on my face, so she said we would try another medication, but I can't remember the name of it, my memory is totally shot lately!!!! She wants to see me in person first, so I actually have an appointment for a face to face in less than 4 weeks!! Only spoke to her for around 15 minutes, but she seems really nice, and to be honest I only met my previous consultant twice, as I was diagnosed in March last year just before lockdown. She also told me that she received a letter from my employer asking for a medical report on my condition and asking how long till I can return, I had given them permission to write to my consultant a few weeks ago, but I had no idea someone new had taken over, she said she was going to tell them that she has only just taken over my case, but that my meds don't seem to be working well for me, and we are going to try something new, but that she said she would not be able to tell them when I would be ready to return to work as that would be up to me, hopefully they will get the message I have been telling them for ages that I still have not got this disease under control, and can't even think about returning till I do, sorry for such a long post so early in the morning.

[LoneEra]

Sorry to hear the meds aren’t working but your new consultant sounds lovely. The new med is likely to be one of sulfasalazine, hydroxychloroquine or leflunomide (hope this jogs your memory). Good luck with the F2F appointment xx

[oldtimer]

It does sound as if the new consultant has your best interests in mind. I hope they are able to find a suitable treatment that suits you.It would be worth looking at the treatments pages on the NRAS website before your appointment so that you have some idea what questions you will want to ask: nras.org.uk/information-sup...

[candyangel]

Thanks both for the replies, hydroxychloroquine rings a bell, so I think it might be that, would that be instead of the MTX or as well as?

[Boxerlady]

You'll probably take both. I was on them both from the beginning - Hydroxychloroquine was described as an "enabler" to me in that it made Methotrexate more effective so maybe that's what she wants to try although some people do find that either one or another (or something else) works well for them.She sounds great so hopefully you'll work together to find "your" regime as everyone is so different. It takes patience but it's great when you get there

- at the moment I'm doing well on triple therapy (Methotrexate, Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalazine.)

[Hidden]

I like The sound of your new consultant sounds like a people person . 4 weeks seems so far away but she sounds like she is on the ball x

[Amy_Lee]

I started with Mtx then a year later my rheumy added leflunomide to speed up my recovery. That was called double agents treatment. It is very normal to have both at the sometimes so that the treatment will be more effective. You can Google RA double agents or triple agents treatments before you go for your appointment. Glad that your new rheumy seems to be good.

[ketiv74]

My Rhuemy just added Hydroxy chloroquine to Mtx that I was on for past 2 years. Its been about 4 months since I started HCQ and it seems to be helping. My dr called MTX & HCQ Batman & Robin of the RA world. LOL. Hope whatever your consultant suggests works for you. Take care & Good luck!

[candyangel]

Thanks for all the replies, only 6 days till my consultant appointment, so hopefully it will all go well with the new meds

[Hidden in reply to candyangel]

What have our lives turned into that we get excited about an appointment. It’s like Christmas we count the days down 😂😂Good luck . Keep us posted .

[candyangel in reply to Hidden]

Yay shiny new medication, just what I always wanted

😂