Rheumatoid arthritis medication

[Dexter1414]

what is best medication for rheumatoid arthritis that don’t give you side effects

[JenniferW]

I didn't get any side effects from my biologic, well just an occasional bruise at the injection site, but that's manageable.

[Dexter1414 in reply to JenniferW]

What are you taking

[JenniferW in reply to Dexter1414]

Abatacept.

[Neonkittie17 in reply to JenniferW]

Yes, same here, Abatacept. Painless click pen with no bruise or problems.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Neonkittie17]

Is that for arthritis and no side effects

[Neonkittie17 in reply to Dexter1414]

Hi Dexter, Well I am not sure anyone can say 100% their med isn’t doing anything negative at all, as the meds need to alter certain immune elements in your system for them to reduce/halt the RA. So that is a side effect of a med working and it is seen as a positive one that it is improving your RA. All bloods are monitored closely to ensure no severe side effects overlooked.

It’s benefits over any possible side effects that we all weigh up taking our meds. I came off a very powerful med I’d been on 8 years and was told my current one, Abatacept, was more gentle and tended to have less side effects, yet still as effective on RA. That’s been the case so far for me. Your rheumy would not put you on my med so early on as it’s a higher level of biologic and they want to try patients on the DMARDs first as there’s a protocol in the meds they follow (usually.) It’s also more expensive to prescribe the biologics.

Anxiety is normal re first taking a med, but all of this feels less scary over time, and you will relax into it and find your way, and you can still lead a very good life with RA.

Can you see if your rheumy is able to refer you to an RA patient group, or you could look and see if there are any notices on your GP surgery waiting area walls re local groups for health conditions. You might be able to start one up yourself and be allowed to use one of their meeting rooms for a couple of hours a week? I used to talk on the phone to newly diagnosed RA patients who were struggling to come to terms with it, many years ago. My rheumy nurse pointed them in my direction. I didn’t mind as it was a phone call every so often from them to me. On this forum the majority of us have been through this bewilderment and intrusion/disruption on our lives being diagnosed with RA and it’s about us controlling the RA rather than it controlling us. You’ll get there, I know you will gain confidence and gain knowledge on your own situation. . It does take some patience.

I hope you will soon feel much better and that Mtx soon starts to work well for you. Hugs. 🩷

[helixhelix in reply to Dexter1414]

Biologics tend not to have immediate side effects like nausea, but they are stronger immune suppressants so increase your risk of serious infections and longer term effects on your organs, All drugs have side effects, but not everyone gets them.

I am much more scared of uncontrollable disease than I am of the drugs.

[Dexter1414 in reply to JenniferW]

How are you getting on with this

[medway-lady in reply to JenniferW]

Except it caused me drug induced Eczema and was stopped so we are all different.

[helenlw7]

I don’t get any side effects from methotrexate, nor from my biologic.

[Dexter1414 in reply to helenlw7]

I’m on methotrexate 5 tablets a week are you on tablets just worry about weight gain and the sun with it

[helenlw7 in reply to Dexter1414]

I’m on 6 tablets a week. I did put some weight on at the beginning, but I was also on steroids. I’m not a great sun worshipper, but just walking around outside, ie shopping, doing touristy things, hasn’t been affected by the methotrexate.

[Brychni in reply to Dexter1414]

The sun aspect is a new finding and it apparently affects areas where the skin has previously been burned by the sun.

[AgedCrone]

Nobody has discovered that yet Dexter!

I think for starters…..believe the medication you are being prescribed is the best.

There is no one magic potion….but you will know when you find it.

The trick is…acceptance….accept you have RA, .take what you are prescribed, eat well & take moderate exercise.

Once you achieve that you will have found the best RA medication

FOR YOU……..& that is all that matters! Good Luck!

[Dexter1414 in reply to AgedCrone]

Thankyou for your reply your really kind doesn’t help I suffer with anxiety for long time now and Google everything I shouldn’t really just worry about methotrexate it’s used for cancer patients isn’t it plus saying not being in the sun what if you missed a bit of sun cream somewhere as I’m prone to getting burnt plus how many tablets does everyone else take I take 5 tablets a week and folic acid day before in daytime and not on methotrexate day I take multi vitamins and cod liver oil capsules 💊

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

I have been on sunny holidays use sun screen had no issues. If you are prone to burn cover up hats long sleeves high protection sun screen. Have you tried to get help with your anxiety. Counselling ,medication. mediation? Free apps relaxation.The amount of methotrexate used for RA is tiny compared to use in cancer treatment. You are monitored very closely through blood tests and should have access to rheumatology appointments. Everyone is different with what affects them in terms of side effects. Goggling causes more anxiety. I take 6 tabs a week methotrexate 15mg. Also folic acid once a week. I take hydroxy too.

[Dexter1414 in reply to welsh12]

I am in waiting list for help

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

Good try and use some relaxation techniques various apps you can download free. Sit quietly. close your eyes and breathe slowly visualise something nice. Have you any hobbies to distract you? bit of walking if you can light exercise. Do you like animals they can be a source of comfort? Try a local nras support group that has meetings coffee morning evenings or on line events where you can chat. Best wishes.

[Dexter1414 in reply to welsh12]

How do I go on live group chat on here

[Hopeful1 in reply to Dexter1414]

Hi Dexter. Sorry, no live chat function here, but do ring National Rhumatoid Athritis Society helpline. They are wonderful. 08002987650

[helixhelix in reply to Dexter1414]

For cancer patients methotrexate is used at 10 times the dose we get, every day!

It has been used for over 50 years for RA with great success and very, very safely. Generally most people get used to it within a couple on months.

I know the temptation is to google, but try not to. And if you have to consider what site you are on. Many American sites are very alarmist - apart from great ones like the Mayo clinic or Cleveland Clinic. And a lot are run by totally unqualified people who really know very little.

5 tabs is quite a small dose, so try not to worry as you are well monitored.

[Dexter1414 in reply to helixhelix]

Yes but my inflammatory markers are high where on my results does it show them as don’t know what I’m looking for

[Madmusiclover in reply to Dexter1414]

Dexter I can recommend the NRAS phone helpline. A kind sympathetic and understanding person is waiting to chat to you about your concerns.

0800 298 7650

[helixhelix in reply to Dexter1414]

Next time you see your doctor or GP ask them to show you.

[Hisue in reply to helixhelix]

Please do not make "broad brush" negative statements about "many American sites".

Arthritis Foundation, arthritis.org (USA), is highly reputable, as are many others. (The internet can be a "minefield", in general. We always needs to be careful, when googling.)

[AgedCrone in reply to Dexter1414]

People who have Cancer take Methotrexate in far,far stronger doses than those with RA…many take it in the hundreds ..I took just 25.mg a week for years …& I still sat in the sun….but I think it is accepted that if you didn’t burn in the sun before you took it….you won’t suddenly burn to a crisp if you take it. But obviously take normal precautions in the sun.

You know you will scare yourself silly reading Dr Google…so why not buy a good book and enjoy that instead?

You probably don’t fully comprehend what you read….so you are scaring yourself needlessly.

We all get anxious at times …but we tell ourselves to thank our lucky stars we live in an age where we have access to the drugs we need. ..so try thinking like that.

,,

[Happy5 in reply to AgedCrone]

Hear hear

[Happy5 in reply to Dexter1414]

I have replied to your first question but on reading this will add treatments for RA especially MTX is long standing so issues have been discovered and dealt with. You're on a very low dose MTX and use your advice line for any concerns you have about the treatment. Regarding the sun I used to go to Malaysia and now go to Spain, was brought up to protect from sunburn as a child so always used sun screen, umbrella , hat and cover up with suitable clothes.

Do you use any mindfulness techniques? In your case this new situation will raise your anxiety, but Dr Google isn't helpful, rather as said use NRAS , Versus arthritis, NHS, in other words bona fide sites. Look into how you can reduce your anxiety, get support for this and let the treatment do its thing.

All the best.

[medway-lady]

Whatever one works! This is an impossible question as what might give me a side effect might not give one to you. And your doctor will prescibe on a pathway so side effects are part of the RA journey. It’s best to look at it this way, medications are friends that will enable you to hopefully like me lead a normal life. If 10% get side effects effects then 90% don’t so your more likely not to get any that are more than fleeting anyway. RA meds are not like antibiotics it’s really just trial and error. In my case in over 30 years I’ve had MTX, LEF and now AZA plus Etanercept only MTX was the cause of significant side effects and it was stopped. So try not to get caught up in what if? And concentrate on a brighter future with a disease that can’t be cured but is controlled. Sadly not for all but don’t look for problems before they exist.

[Brushwork]

RA and the medications affect each of us differently.

The classic Methotrexate works with few side effects for some, while others don’t tolerate it and there are many variations on this theme.

We simply don’t know until we try.

Your question is not answerable by us or even by the specialist teams we rely on.

[Brychni]

Hi D, I would also add that staying otherwise fit and healthy helps your body not only with the condition itself but processing the medication. It's not always plain sailing with me but I have a low BMI, eat very healthily, don't drink or smoke and get as much exercise as time and pain allow. Every rheumatologist has commented on these things especially the weight and told me 'stay slim' as that's a big factor.

I take hydroxychloroquine and methotrexate and get zero side effects.

Take care.

[Happy5]

The best is what your RA team/consultant prescribes.

Impossible to find anything that doesn't have side effects in some form, even taking paracetamol for a headache can cause a side effect.

I was first started on MTX which gave me side effects but I was supported by the RA team to minimise them so I am able to cope. It's often what you can live with. A biologic has been added to my treatment which is going well, as I already suffer with sinus issues it triggers that off in me so I drink loads more water couple of days after taking it.

In the end I'd rather deal with this than the consequence of the condition.

All the best.

[oldtimer2]

Anything that works well enough will make some changes to how your body functions. Side effects are just part of the action that you don't particularly want to have.

Everyone's body works slightly differently so it's impossible to tell in advance (unfortunately), and you often have to accept some 'pay-off', that is accept some side effects in return for the overall benefits of the medication.

I'm relatively happy to accept increased amounts of catarrh, feeling sick and some sleepiness, in return for little or no swelling of my joints, more flexibility and a big reduction in pain.

[greynot]

The best med will be what your rheumatologist prescribes. We are all different, and any one if us will most likely respond differently to different drugs to counter our RA.

I'm a fortunate one...was prescribed methotrexate on diagnosis in 2019. Am on 20mg (8 tablets) weekly. I had side effects ar first, but they subsided over 4 -5 months (apart from thinned hait, ut it'sa trade off I can live with). And these days I'm in remission, on the same 20mg dose of MTX.

Stopping the mtx hasn't been given as an option, as it's doing a grand job of holding the RA at bay, and nobody wants it to flare again least of all me!! (I know there's no guarantees that it won't, but I'll stick with this status quo until/unless anything changes)

I'm fine in the sun.

[shazbat]

After trying 4 biologics with side effects and weight gain. I am now on the best ever it's a jak inhibitor Rinvoq. Absolutely no side effects and works.