Respite - ever?

jackie1955

Hi,
Been on MTX since May, then 6 weeks ago saw rheumy, he said he was 90% pleased with how treatment was going but it needed tweeking a bit, so he increased me to 20mg.
As for myself, I was still getting pain, stiffness, swelling, but thought it had not got any worse...... and I wasn't feeling quite so tired.

But I am wondering, will the pain ever go away? I can't bear it without my two daily diclofenac. And every morning I wake up with swelling/stiffness somewhere - there doesn't seem a part of me that isn't affected, even my sternum, chest, and front of my neck along with the usual wrists/knees/feet/elbows etc (thank goodness they aren't all affected at the same time).

Today I feel like half of my body has twisted the wrong way

I know we all respond differently to the meds, but I did think the MTX would stop the swelling being so bad - and painful!

Jackie x

woodbon

Hello, I don't have RA, I have OA but I'm sure someone with ra will be along in a minute and answer your questions. I'm so sorry you've got RA and I hope you can quickly find the right pain medicaton for you. Take care, Love Sue

jackie1955

Hi Sue,
Thanks for replying..... its one of those days today where I feel about 90 years old Come to think of it, theres probably 90 year olds who are much fitter anyway!

Jackie x

barbara01

Hi Jackie

I deffo know how you feel I too have RA the days with multiple joint pain and whole body stiffness just make you want to stay in bed all day and cry. I would of thought that if Mtx was going to work for you that you would be feeling an improvement my rheumy has told me 3 to12 weeks, have they given you any steroid to help you on your way, I have had an injection in my knee and it has given me whole body relief while I am waiting for the mtx to kick in(I'm only on week 2). I know people don't like steroids but they would help in the interim whole they sort your meds out. I wish you well and just remember we do know how you feel your not alone .

Barbara xx

sharmaine

Hi
Sorry to hear that you're feeling so poorly. I don't know what to suggest. I take 3 diclofenac a day alongside other meds for pain and high blood pressure. Maybe you need to speak to your GP about maybe increasing meds if you are in such pain. Please don't suffer. Give your surgery a ring.

It's not easy coping with everyday life if your energy is being sapped by pain which then leads to fatigue.

I hope you get something sorted very soon.

With regards
Sharmaine

trisher

Hi jackie

I'm sorry that yoour are not feeling too good at the moment. I'm not on that though.

Is it possible for you to let your doctor know? Maybe they might give you some else to help yoou with the pain?

Maybe it justs takes time. As you said we are all different and amybe where it might help someone quickly , other's more slowly due to our metabolisms.

Sorry I cannot help you anan that but I hope you feel better soon

love trisher xxy

skezier

Hi Jackie,

nice to see you and hope all is well?

I hope that it will stop the swelling and pain as well....... Maybe not all the pain but maybe the added bit will do the trick? I wonder if your Rumo will change you to something that works better for you. When do you see him again? Sorry so many questions but it is nice to see you. Luv Cris x

lindalegs

Hi Jackie,

It does sound to me that your Mtx is starting to work but your dose isn't right yet.

.....and yes, the pain does go, when the inflammation and swellings subside. I suppose I still get a modicom of pain but nothing that makes you feel so ill and tired. I still take my anti-inflamms - I have tried without but I'm so paranoid about the pain after taking them for 23 years that I decided I may as well take them for peace of mind :roll:

Maybe your altered dose from 6 weeks ago hasn't kicked in yet or possibly things are gradually happening without you realising - I don't think I felt better overnight.

Do you know if your bloods show an improvement? I have a record book which my Flib/GP/Rheumy keep up to date for me so I can see what's happening - do you have one?

Luv Legs

livinglegend

jackie1955 wrote:

but thought it had not got any worse...... and I wasn't feeling quite so tired. Jackie x

MTX is not a 'cure' for RA. RA is progressive and if you don't feel any worse and you weren't quite so tired, then it is likely to be stabilising.

Also, if you need to continue painkillers, (which is normal), then as long as the Rheumy is informed and agrees the dosage, there should not be a problem. But check first.

Joseph 8)

nick55

al I can do is offer sympathy by the wagon load. my osteo has gone worse, and makes me limp in the mornings. I had some nasty pain with it yesterday when driving.

I am sad to see your own problem one really wants to extend a helping hand when we hear of these things. sadly all I can offer is you sympathy, i suggest at least keep a warm room, avoid drafts, and plenty of rest, the people here say some very good things about medications they take time to work. diclofenic is a wonder drug, I find, Ihope summer comes back soon,

best wishes,Nick

livinglegend wrote:

jackie1955 wrote:

but thought it had not got any worse...... and I wasn't feeling quite so tired. Jackie x

MTX is not a 'cure' for RA. RA is progressive and if you don't feel any worse and you weren't quite so tired, then it is likely to be stabilising.

Also, if you need to continue painkillers, (which is normal), then as long as the Rheumy is informed and agrees the dosage, there should not be a problem. But check first.

Joseph 8)

eckstardeluxe

Hi Jackie

I'm not on those drugs but often find myself wondering when I'll have a good day again. The pain just seems never ending. I took my 2 Amytriptiline to sleep as suggested by the Doc and was still up every hour with stiffness and pain. Hoping it's just this flu.

Hope you see some results soon, take care

Eck
xxx

kathbee

HI Jackie

Sorry to hear you arent doing too good.

I do know the feeling.

Just wondered if you are taking anything alongside the MTX.
I have been on MTX for about 9 yrs now but I also have
Leflunomide (Arava) as well, thats 2 DMARD's for the RA.

Hope you can get some relief soon.
Take care
Kath xx

jackie1955

Hi, and a big thank you for your replies.

Much better again today, yesterday it felt as if someone had slept on my chest all night!

To answer a few of your replies.....
I do think the MTX is helping - initial results showed the inflammation was levelling out. I thought myself I wasn't getting worse so that was a good sign. I don't have any records of my blood readings, and have never been offered them. I think I will ask next time if the inflammation is definitely coming down.

I don't take anything else along with the MTX, but when I asked my rheumy he said if the MTX wasn't working then other things may be added.

I know RA can't be cured, but I do wonder if MTX stopped you getting those funny swellings that mysteriously move around while your asleep?

Best wishes to all, Jackie x