Confused about my ra diagnosis

[Conster]

I was sent to see ra consultant with joint pain in my hands he did blood tests and ultrasound said I had ra and put me on mtx that was 18 months ago now I dont have hardly any symptoms and not sure if I was miss diagnosed

[bpeal1]

Are you still taking methotrexate? If so it sounds like you are one of the lucky people that quickly achieve medical remission.

[MadBunny]

It sounds like it might be working well for you . I started out on sulfasalazine and my symptoms settled quite quickly. Once mtx was added I was even better. Also- if the pain was only in your hands, maybe it was caught quite early? I remember it affected my hands badly at first. When I go for check ups, my hands are always checked for swelling and tenderness. Have you been having regular blood tests as this should help to show if it's working . You could always contact the rheumatology nurse/ helpline for clarification. Hopefully you have achieved remission🤗

[smilelines]

I would ask how they knew you have RA and if you are satisfied with the answer then celebrate because the methotrexate is working very well! It is hard to realize you might have it when you are feeling so well. Talk to your doctor because some people can actually go in to remission and can stop medicine.

[Mmrr]

You say you have hardly any symptoms, which suggests that you do have some, maybe suggesting that MTX is working well for you, controlling your RA.It might be useful to speak with your rheumatologist, but it sounds as if your RA is well controlled.

[Tkat10]

That was me on mtx, I unfortunately also had awful mtx side effects so eventually changed to alternative dmards.

[2bichons in reply to Tkat10]

Hi ~ May I ask what side effects you have on methotrexate? I've been on it now for about 6 months (and cross my fingers) have not had an RA flare up since. I'm on 15 mg once a week. I think it might be having a hair thinning side effect - just wondering what side effects you are experiencing. Thanks for any info ~

[Pinksupersec in reply to 2bichons]

Hi. I’m on mtx. When I first started 15 months ago my hair started thinning. As I have very thick hair I was worried I’d lose it, Now 15 months later it has thickened up a lot so much so that I don’t even worry about it now. I use the best shampoo I can afford (sometimes) just to keep in tip top condition. Just wanted to reassure you. 👍

[Conster in reply to 2bichons]

None been on 20 mg for over a year

[Conster in reply to 2bichons]

No side affects on 20mg once a week

[oldtimer2]

It sounds as if you feel that you don't need the methotrexate now? This is something to discuss with the consultant and it would be wise to consider reducing the dose before stopping. And regarding yourself as someone 'with Rheumatoid Disease' who might need protective treatment in the future.

When I first was diagnosed, many years ago now, I very rapidly improved on hydroxycholoquine (and initially steroids which I was able to tail off quite quickly). When I look back now, I can see that, although I felt so much better and could do things again, I was actually in some pain most days but my blood tests were all back to normal. I changed my job and learn to adapt my life. I came off after several years as the rheumatologist said I was 'in remission' and didn't need treatment. Almost ten years later (after intermittent steroid courses because of intermittent flares), I had a massive flare and I have been much more severely affected since then.

Everyone is different, but I think that most people have to regard this as a 'long-term condition'.

[AgedCrone]

That is the magic of Mtx …..if you are lucky it takes away the pain! I guess you must be having blood tests …or you wouldn’t be getting your Mtx prescription?

You are a lucky man & you should thank your lucky stars!

[Conster in reply to AgedCrone]

Thank you I really do

[AgedCrone in reply to Conster]

Long May it continue………..

[smilelines in reply to AgedCrone]

Envious here!

[KittyJ]

I wouldn’t think you were misdiagnosed it’s your medication working, that’s what it does, relieves your symptoms. Celebrate, you’re one of the lucky ones who quickly find their treatment, long may it continue to work.

[Hidden]

Blood tests aren’t always definitive, but ultrasound is if inflammation is seen on the day. They also wouldn’t have put you on mtx if they weren’t certain you needed it, so I’d agree with the other replies that this would seem to be a case for celebrating: the first drug they put you on worked to stop your disease getting worse. Here’s hoping mtx continues to work for you for a long time to come.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Conster, welcome. As others have said it's unlikely a misdiagnosis, just you responding particularly well to your first DMARD. I do understand why you'd question it though. I had extraordinarily good results from my first DMARD too, though mine was hydroxychloroquine. What may have stood us both in good stead is limited joint involvement at diagnosis. Also, in my case, I was diagnosed promptly, 6 weeks from first symptoms. I waited a month before I saw my GP but symptoms weren’t easing so she took bloods which confirmed RD (she was a GPwSI Rheumatology). I was formally diagnosed a little over a fortnight later. Some aren't as fortunate & this can impact on prognosis.

I'll have been on MTX 13 years later this year. It's been a very good DMARD for me & my hope is for many more years of clinically induced remission for you on it too. 😊

[Hidden in reply to nomoreheels]

Lucky you had such a good GP (WSI Rhem) - my GP has special interest in not seeing patients 🤨

[nomoreheels in reply to Hidden]

Yes, & from a little municipal health centre with one GP, one nurse & an administrator/receptionist. How fortunate was I? Yours would be funny if it wasn’t true. I'm in a similar position now. 😏

[Conster in reply to Hidden]

I thank God every day for our gp been wonderful to me and my family always Ready and always through

[Hidden in reply to Conster]

Good yo hear 😀