Disease modifying drugs

ritwren

When my consultand Rheumatologist put me on methotrexate, he said it's not a cure but should help stop the progression of the disease.
For this reason he wants me to take them now.
I took it from this that they cannot heal that which has already been damaged but they can help to prevent further damage for as long as they work for you, which may be a long or short time.
Was I wrong?Is that what they do? it's just that lots of people say they feel less stiffness etc... if they don't repair things then how can things feel better. Does this make sense?

lindalegs

Hi Rita,

Yes, they do stop the disease progressing and no, sorry, they don't repair the damage already done

In saying that you do feel better when the inflammation and pain has reduced. ALL my joints are severely damaged as the RA has been working on them for the greater part of my life but I feel so much better on Mtx. Even the agonising morning stiffness is so minimal it's barely noticeable.

The reason they want you to take Dmards on the onset of your disease is prevent the damage that it wreaks on your joints. To my mind reduce the damage as you can and then you shouldn't get mechanical problems later on in life.

Luv Legs

trisher

Hi Legs

Being you have had RA for a long time do you think that the break through they have announced about the Stem Cells do you think it cold help you at all?

trisher

lindalegs

Hi Trisher,

Don't know really - I haven't thought about it - at 51 and with all my joints damaged, where would they start? I don't know much about the break through with stem cells but wouldn't it still involve surgery - in my case that's an awful lot of surgery? :shock:

..so long as my pain is minimal I'm very happy in my little cared-for world - my RA or inability to do some things doesn't worry me or dominate my life ....so, on reflection I'll let others try it who are younger and less damaged

Luv Legs

trisher

Sorry i butted in. Did'nt mean to I was reading your post about stopping the proggression and they cannot heal what is damaged that is what I was told in May and they put me on Prednisolone and Sulfa.

Like you It's new and confusing wondering if I should take the Sulfa or not. Would I get worse or not. On the other hand I was in a lot of pain.

I looked on this site and read an awful lot of the posts on here. That is what made me pick up the bottle and take the it. I spent 3 days looking at the bottle first.

trisher

ritwren

Linda and Trisher thanks a lot for your replies. I really value the opinions of folks on here. I'm still not only coming to terms with all this but trying to understand as well.

ritwren

Thanks Scottishlass. All the knowledge I can get is good.

kickyloo

I'm also due to start on dmards soon, but waiting to have an MRI scan first. In the meantime I'm on a LOT of different painkillers and high dose of steroids.

Question to you - in your experiences, do you still need to carry on taking painkillers whilst on the DMARDS or do they stop the pain in themselves? I'm on 10 types of drugs at the moment and I so want to reduce that! I'm also slightly worried about the addictive side of these painkillers (codine and tramadol).

scattered

DMARDs aren't just important to stop inflammation in joints. They also help to prevent inflammation in other parts of the body like your major organs and your eyes. Without them you may find you get organ involvement, which is potentially more serious that joint destruction itself.

DMARDs work to modify the immune system back to 'normal' levels. They block proteins that are attacking the joints and other parts of the body, thereby reducing inflammation. While it is true that they can't cure the disease, and they cannot repair damage, they can prevent further damage being caused, thus preventing further disability.

DMARDs will also help to get control of systemic symptoms like low grade fevers, night sweats, fatigue etc.

lindalegs

Tossing my experience into the melting pot.....

..... I tried to stop my anti-inflammatories - I'm on one Etodolac a day. I found that every twinge or small ache and I was panicking, wondering if it was all starting again. So, although, I'm sure, mine was more a mental problem I've decided to stick to my anti-inflams as my cushion against it all :roll:

It's the codeine based tablets that you could form a dependency on, as I understand.

Luv Legs

page35

HI all
am a new RA, been on mxt about 8/9 weeks and am not taking any painkillers or anti-flams at mo, havent for about 4weeks
mxt is working really well for pain, just need to get the side effects under control and Happy days
was taking 2 anti-fams aday and paracetamol before mxt and still had pain.
all the best
page

englishrose

I agrre with all that has been said about these drugs. Regarding worrying about taking any drugs I feel that you have to put your faith in the medics. - if they say take that - I do.

livinglegend

englishrose wrote:

I agrre with all that has been said about these drugs. Regarding worrying about taking any drugs I feel that you have to put your faith in the medics. - if they say take that - I do.

I agree with englishrose's comments. I was diagnosed 9 years ago and I have followed my Rheumy's information right through. I am the expert on 'me', but he is the expert on my disease. He says, "Take these pills", I take them. "Any problems phone your Rheumy Nurse". Their expertise is what keeps me going through the good and bad days.

I read regularly on this forum that people have tried 'this and that' or have put off taking meds. That is their choice and we are all individuals. As you can't see initial/ongoing RA damage properly without an x-ray, you could be doing unknown injury which will make a difference later on. The 'I can manage without' people always leave off the rest of the saying, 'until its far too late'.

Joseph 8)

ritwren

Gosh you guys are good. Thanks to each of you for replying and helping me understand. The more I know the more empowered to cope with this disease.

Scattered, thanks for explaining, I did'nt realise they did all that. It helps when folk explain things simply for me.

Kickyloo, I'm currently working my way up to my dose of 15mg from 7.5mg and will be taking 12.5 Friday. I'm still taking Tramadol sr but have reduced my dose and Solpadol 30/500X2 at a time but have also reduced those. I've stopped my anti inflammatories for the moment. I'm hoping to be able to further reduce my painkillers when I'm on the full Methotrexate dose. I'm also seeing the Pain Specialist Nurse in a few weeks time.

Page 35 I'm happy to hear you're having success with your MTX but what side effects are you having. Have you already said? Sorry if you have, I have so much in my head at the moment.


English Rose and Living Legend, thanks for your input. Your last few lines have rung alarm bells with me but not in a bad way. As someone who hates to ask anything of anyone, and does'nt like to be told what to do it's something I should bear in mind. In order to be able to do what I need to do I need to fully understand in lay terms what the benifits and repercussions are. If this makes sense.
Thanks again everyone.

page35

hi ritwren
try not to worry bout side effects as you may not get any
(says me who worries about everything :roll: )
i mostly get a sickness feeling, but rhuemy has lowered my dose and upped the folic acid and i also used to take another DMARD which i have now stopped taking. there are also anti sickness tabs so i am hopefull the side effects will lessen
take care and good luck
page

ritwren

Thanks Page, hope your side effects settle down for you and your anti emetic and increase in your folic acid have a good effect for you. It's good that there are things which can help lessen side effects if you have them.
rita

scattered

We were all new to the disease once, so no problem! If you're anything like me, you'll want to know anything and everything. Just don't scare yourself! Asking questions to those who have been there is one of the best ways to educate yourself.

Is the MTX your first DMARD? I was diagnosed 3 years ago, have had RA for 4 years. I've been on the majority of 'common' DMARDs in varying combinations, and am now working my way through the Anti-TNFs with DMARDs in tow. I have damage to my right wrist and I suspect to my feet, but thanks to my consultant's tenacity I've had 2 medication induced remissions - the first lasted 3 months and the second lasted 6 months. In remission I only had residual pain from damage, and occasional flares from over-doing it and the weather.

The reason I stress that DMARDs help all the other aspects of the disease is because people so often forget about them. I get awful fatigue and night sweats when my meds aren't working right. RA has changed the shape of the lenses in my eyes - I had to get glasses 6 months after diagnosis. I've had bursitis and tendonitis because of active disease.

If you have any more questions, ask! Knowledge is power after all.

ritwren

Scattered, I can see that you understand why I want to know everything. No worries about me scaring myself, I just like to know things.
In answer to your question, yes Methotrexate is my first of these drugs but I know there are loads of others.I'm really just taking things one step at a time.