Good morning everyone. Just wondering if someone can help. I’ve been on methotrexate since February and all seemed to be ok. Recently I keep getting flares. Currently really painful hip and unable to drive/work or sleep very well. I couldn’t get to the hospital anyway now and will call me rheumy team tomorrow for advice, but does anyone have any suggestions to reduce the pain or hurry this flare along?
many thanks
I've had the painful hip lower back pain being going on some time I asked the consultant and was told RA doesn't effect large bones, so will bd interested what they say to you, good luck.
That is interesting. It doesn’t feel swollen and it’s not hot- just painful. Maybe it’s something else. I hope you feel better soon too.
Thank you
You are right to contact your rheumy team …..it sounds as if your Mtx has been working, but you may need to get the dose reviewed….or you may need to add some pain relief.
Alternatively you may have a touch if osteoarthritis or even bursitis . Have you tried gentle heat on your hip? I always found an electric heat paid very comforting when I had bursitis.
You say you can’t get to the Hospital atm…have you asked around to see if there is a hospital transport service near you run by any local charity? I use a local service & it really helps when you can’t drive yourself.
I do hope your rheumy team can help.
Thank you that’s really useful. Haven’t thought of transport- I didn’t know you could get any, will look into that.
Heat was very useful thanks. A hot water bottle sent me into a very deep sleep. So I can cope better now. I’ve never been good without sleep!
I got the transport details by googling something like “ charity, providing Hospital transport + postcode” ” or if you are over 60 try Age UK.
I sometimes have to go to a hospital 25 miles away that would cost me £150 return in a taxi and the charity charge £30…so well worth searching around.
I’ve had some episodes of acute hip pain -starting quite suddenly - once bad enough to make weight bearing impossible. After MRI and x rays (by which point I was back to normal) no cause found - and it was decided that it had been due to RA . ‘Unusual but not impossible’ I was told.
It hasn’t returned 🤞since I’ve been having Rituximab.
I also get acutely hot swollen and inflamed distal finger joints - flashing bright red on US scans - although the received wisdom is that RA doesn’t affect those joints. No other explanation forthcoming though! Also hasn’t happened on Rituximab ???
That’s interesting. Hope your pain doesn’t return. Mine is easing slightly. I wonder if it’s an unusual case of RA in hip or something else? Thanks
I was also told RA positive does not affect hips!!! Not sure if RA negative is different. Physio gave me exercises for my hip and groin pain and also arranged for me to attend hydrotherapy pool to help with exercise. My hip is much improved since I started doing exercises.
Hope you get help and relief soon
Oh gosh I have no idea if I’m positive or negative! I’m trying yoga stretches, and it does seem to be slightly better. Swimming sounds like a good idea to.
I was on MTX for two years and appeared to be in remission afterwards. I did still have flares but no really bad ones like you describe. I do remember hearing that paired with another medication, like Xeljanz or Rinvoc, helped MTX work much better. Check with your doctor on that. Best wishes for remission.
Thank you. Hopefully much better soon. I’ll see what the doctor says about what medicines work together.
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