Methotrexate

[Sadie1024]

My Rhuemy says I have Rheumatoid Arthritis in my right knee. He has drained fluid from it 3 times. This fluid and pain started immediately, there was no pain until the fluid appeared, is that how rheumatoid arthritis starts?

I do not like the side effects of Methotrexate, they look terrible. I am worried that taking Prednidone and Methotrexate will lower my immune system to low.

This drug scares me.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

I was under the impression that 5 affected joints was a criterion for RA. And that fluid on the knee can come from other things as well. In fact, I didn't know that synovial fluid analysis is used to diagnose RA - but to rule out other forms of inflammatory arthritis. Maybe you have misunderstood what he meant?

Do you take paracetamol? Or ibuprofen? Their side effects look pretty bad too. The list of side effects is all that were mentioned during clinical trials and in post-marketing monitoring. No-one gets them all, many get next to none.

[Sadie1024 in reply to PMRpro]

All I take is PREDNISONE and tylenol. The rhuemy said synovial fluid test was to rule out gout, then he said the test had no crystals in it so it is rheumatoid arthritis. Prior to the fluid on the knee I went to the ER because my leg had a large hematoma and they never figured out what caused that. I think I need another doctors opinion.

[123-go in reply to Sadie1024]

No harm in that, Sadie.

[Sadie1024 in reply to 123-go]

Thank you

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Sadie1024]

I think you do too ...I didn't mean do you take them for your illness, I meant have you taken them in the past like everyone else? Their side effects are pretty horrific too ...

[Sadie1024 in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you so much

[Longtimer]

My sister has RA, never been told that....but my DIL has a swollen knee, doctor suspected gout...no, x-ray now confirmed Osteoarthritis......I think you need a second opinion!......

[Sadie1024 in reply to Longtimer]

Thank you

[Dobermanlover]

I too had the diagnosis of RA last year and was advised to have Methotrexate and like you read the side affects with what I can only describe as horror! I thought this is drug too far and was dead against it. However, many people assured me that it wasn't all bad and decided to give it a try. After an initial failed attempt with tablets, I was shown how to inject the drug, by-passing the effects on my stomach. It has made a real difference to my life. I could not go below 10mg of Prednisolone before and after 10 months am now down to 5mg without a single hiccup. I am going to sit there for a bit to allow my adrenal glands to wake up and then try to get off them all together. It isn't for everyone but for me it has been positive. Hope this helps. I have had no side effects, I do have a monthly blood test to check that it isn't doing anything bad to my bone marrow etc., so far so good.

[Sadie1024 in reply to Dobermanlover]

Thank you so much. I hope you can go on down with the Prednisone.

[dphu]

Just a thought. Did the fluid that was drained get tested for gout/pseudogout? That is what the pain and swelling was in my knee.

[Sadie1024 in reply to dphu]

Yes it did and there was no gout.