Experience with DMARDs??

kickyloo

Hi, me again....newly diagnosed RA.......
I'm going to the rheumy consultant tomorrow for more tests and MRI. I am currently on prednisolone steriods, cox2-inhibitor, pregabilin (painkiller) and codeine. All of which keeps pain to a bearable level although still stiff and completely doped up and drunk headed (which is sometimes nice, but makes me utterly useless! ). So would be glad to come off all this stuff and go onto the DMARDs, which is what they are now suggesting as need to come off the steroids.

I've got a list of questions to ask the dr before starting these drugs but would be really interested in other people's experiences. Are they a miracle cure? Do they work? What are the side effects? They want to put me on Hydroxychloroquine plus either Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine.

I want to be able to get the pain and stiffness in my hands and feet under control, not be absolutely exhausted and be able to go back to work (office job). Do you think this is a realistic goal??

Thanks,

englishrose

kickyloo wrote:

Hi, me again....newly diagnosed RA.......
I'm going to the rheumy consultant tomorrow for more tests and MRI. I am currently on prednisolone steriods, cox2-inhibitor, pregabilin (painkiller) and codeine. All of which keeps pain to a bearable level although still stiff and completely doped up and drunk headed (which is sometimes nice, but makes me utterly useless! ). So would be glad to come off all this stuff and go onto the DMARDs, which is what they are now suggesting as need to come off the steroids.

I've got a list of questions to ask the dr before starting these drugs but would be really interested in other people's experiences. Are they a miracle cure? Do they work? What are the side effects? They want to put me on Hydroxychloroquine plus either Methotrexate or Sulfasalazine.

I want to be able to get the pain and stiffness in my hands and feet under control, not be absolutely exhausted and be able to go back to work (office job). Do you think this is a realistic goal??

Thanks,

I have been on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine for many years. Did not take well to sulfasalazine so they chaned me to hydroxy. For the fist few weeks on mtx I felt a bit off the following day but that soon passed. I should think that you have a very good chance of great improvement within a few months and hop[efully willl be able to cope well with work. So I wish lots of luck - think positively.
Jane

page35

Hi
i am on the metho hydroxy combo. only diagnosed 4mts ago and started hydroxy straight away but wasnt helping to much so added the metho about 6wks ago and it is helping with the pain already, i do feel rough for a day or 2 after taking it but hope this will sort itself out soon.
all the best
ps you prob know but you must have blood test every 2wks to start with when you first start the metho.
page

page35

forgot to say
i work in a playgroup p/t and am still managing to do this. i also have a 2 yr old and 13yr old to look after.
so i think you have a good chance of being able to go back to your job
dont give up
page

tkachev

I am on all 3 of these.Sulfasalazine seemed to okay at the start but the effects wore off in my opinion but still taking them(about 7 years).
Hydroxychloroquinine had no effect on me at all(but still taking it after 4 years).
Methotrexate is great and I cant do without it although I hate the side effects.Was upto 22.5mg but now reduced to 15mg as I am also on humira injections.
Regards Tkachev

lindalegs

Hi Kicky,

I'm on 10mg Mtx- 4 tablets a week. I felt a difference within the first month although some people don't start to feel better till after 3 months. I never knew I could ever feel this well again and would be so upset if they had to stop it for some reason.

It can make you feel sick and headachy after taking it and a few people have some hair loss but side effects do settle down for the majority of us. You'll probably be put on folic acid too to counteract the side effects (if you're on methotrexate - not sure about the other drugs). You can also be given anti sickness drugs till you settle down too.

Hope it goes well with your rheumy and I don't think you're being unrealistic in your expectations at all.

Luv Legs

jaspercat

Hi Kicky, when I was diagnosed 14 years ago, I was started on Sulpasalazine, I didn't have any side effects and it was working ok, but then it affected my blood and I had to come off, then I went on Plaquenil, which didn't work at all, since then I have been on Methotrexate at 20mg, the tablets totally wiped me out also made me feel sick, I was started on injections some months ago, I still feel sick for an hour or so but no other side effects.

I hope your appt goes well for you love Jaspercatxx

joyful164

I was started on Methotrexate as soon as I saw the Rheumy consultant. Extremely nice man

I can honestly say that from that day, I have felt a great difference although I wasn't progressing quick enought on the pain level on my blood test so changed from tablet form to injection, which I now do myself. It is not so bad because the needle is very fine and short. I have been on 15mg for the last 12 months, but he has decided to increase my dose to 20mg. I have more than one type of flammatory arthritis and we not have found the right balance. I wasn't taking all the other medications you have been on but I am now, so yes, it is quite a concoction, especially as it has stopped my driving for awhile.

goodluck

joyful