Thoughts on starting mxt early

pixie01
pixie01 Member Posts: 52
edited 6. Nov 2009, 14:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi newbie here. Rheumy wants to discuss starting mxt or salph when I see him next month. I was diagnosed in aug by mri of hands. Actually symptoms overall not to bad at the moment. But I know they like to start you early now on treatment to stop damage. So what are your thoughts on this? Should I wait till I have a flare or not? Thanks alot Jo

Comments

  • kathbee
    kathbee Member Posts: 934
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Pixie

    I was put on sulphasalazine in the early days of being dx'd with RA.
    I think its one of the first line medicines.

    For me it didnt help and I was given MTX along with Leflunomide which I have been taking now for around 9 years.

    Hope they can sort you out with meds very soon.

    Kath
  • jordan7j
    jordan7j Bots Posts: 346
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi pixie, like you I was only diagnosed recently, (July) I started mxt straight away. The consultant didnt even discuss it, just prescribed it and told me to read the book. I started on 4th July, havent found it helps so far. It is one of the first drugs (DMARDs) used to prevent more damage as already said. I do believe its good to start early, but it takes quite a while to have any effects. Good luck, and lets hope it works for you. Jay :D
  • pixie01
    pixie01 Member Posts: 52
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Thanks Jay and Kath, its scary thinking of starting it, worried about feeling worse than I already do.
    Jo x
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Jo,

    Nice to see you. I was put on sulfa at the point of diagnosis. Mind the diagnosis had rumbled along for quite a while..... :wink: I narrowly missed MTX last week cus of other problems with my health but its good they are going to get you on something cus as the other say it slows down the damage being done to your joints. Mine has now been raised again, though after the first day I have gone back to the old morning dose and then one extra at night cus of the headaches and I am very stressed just now. They have to tell you the side effects but you may not get any. In my case I adjusted to the old dose quite quickly and will the new one as well soon.

    Good luck and personally I think the sooner they start giving you the modifiers the better. Take care Cris
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Jo :D

    Well, it is great to see you posting so soon after your "hello" introduction. I cannot help you with this question because I have oa but it is good to see that others have sent you messages.

    Bit chilly when the sun goes in, though, don't you think? But then it is October. Let's hope there is more good weather tomorrow and in Bristol. :)

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    HI & Welcome!

    I have been taking MTX for 5 (ish) years and I must admit that I put off taking it for a long time. I only started it when we had tried almost everything else and I got so bad and desperate that they said I had no option really.

    I wish that I had not put it off so long, because it has made life more bearable for me, although the tablets didn't work and I went onto injections.

    Whatever you take will take a while to fully work, so I would say give it a go - with any of these we don't know how our bodies will react until we try - and you may be pleasantly surprised. Not all the effects are bad ones! :wink:

    good luck
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I don't have RA, I have oa, so these drugs are not something that will help me. I just dropped in to say Hello, and wish you well with the medication.

    I am glad you've found this site as its a good place to pick up tips and advice. If you have a question or problem, you will find someone on here who has had a similar experience and will offer advice. Good luck with you new medication, Love Sue
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Kath

    In your opinion,is the Mext okay, did it make you bad at all?
    Do you always have Leflunomide with it? Have you got a lot better on it, do you still get pain.

    I have been on Sulfa, it's not helping and I'm being sick although I take anti sick pills.

    trisher xx
  • pixie01
    pixie01 Member Posts: 52
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    thanks guys for your replies :D will really think about taking it sooner rather than later. take care jo
  • yorkie
    yorkie Member Posts: 57
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    pixie01 wrote:
    Hi newbie here. Rheumy wants to discuss starting mxt or salph when I see him next month. I was diagnosed in aug by mri of hands. Actually symptoms overall not to bad at the moment. But I know they like to start you early now on treatment to stop damage. So what are your thoughts on this? Should I wait till I have a flare or not? Thanks alot Jo

    I HAVE HAD P.A. FOR 15 YEARS. ONLY BEEN ON MTX 1 YEAR.
    NOT HAPPY TAKING IT BUT PAIN IN HANDS AND FEET GOT BAD, AND DICLO WAS NOT HELPING.
    BEFORE THAT ON DICLOFENAC AND LOSEC FOR SICKNESS. MANAGED WELL ON THIS FOR 14 YEARS. HAD AFEW REMISSONS IN .BETWEEN. RHUEMY DOC FROM STAGE ONE WANTED ME TO GO ON SALPH BUT I THOUGHT I WAS TOO YOUNG AT 36 TO GO ON IT.
    HAD XRAYS OVER YEARS AND LUCKILY NO DAMAGE TO JOINTS YET.
    SO WHAT I AM SAYING I COULD HAVE PUT MY BODY THROUGH 14 YEARS OF THIS DRUG AND STILL BE AT THE STAGE I AM AT NOW.
    SOME MAY SAY I COULD BE WORSE NOW BECAUSE I DIDNOT TAKE IT, BUT THEY CANT CURE ARTHRITIS ONLY ALLEVIATE IT . WHAT EVER WE TAKE.
    AS LONG AS THEY KEPT GIVING ME XRAYS TO MONITOR BONE DAMAGE I MANAGED TO KEEP OFF STRONG DRUGS FOR SO LONG.
    IT GOT ME IN THE END AND NOW I TAKE MTX BUT I AM GLAD ITS NOW AT 51 AND NOT 36.
    ARTHRITIS COMES IN DIFFERENT FORMS AND EFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY AND HOW WE COPE WITH IT.
  • pixie01
    pixie01 Member Posts: 52
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    I HAVE HAD P.A. FOR 15 YEARS. ONLY BEEN ON MTX 1 YEAR.
    NOT HAPPY TAKING IT BUT PAIN IN HANDS AND FEET GOT BAD, AND DICLO WAS NOT HELPING.
    BEFORE THAT ON DICLOFENAC AND LOSEC FOR SICKNESS. MANAGED WELL ON THIS FOR 14 YEARS. HAD AFEW REMISSONS IN .BETWEEN. RHUEMY DOC FROM STAGE ONE WANTED ME TO GO ON SALPH BUT I THOUGHT I WAS TOO YOUNG AT 36 TO GO ON IT.
    HAD XRAYS OVER YEARS AND LUCKILY NO DAMAGE TO JOINTS YET.
    SO WHAT I AM SAYING I COULD HAVE PUT MY BODY THROUGH 14 YEARS OF THIS DRUG AND STILL BE AT THE STAGE I AM AT NOW.
    SOME MAY SAY I COULD BE WORSE NOW BECAUSE I DIDNOT TAKE IT, BUT THEY CANT CURE ARTHRITIS ONLY ALLEVIATE IT . WHAT EVER WE TAKE.
    AS LONG AS THEY KEPT GIVING ME XRAYS TO MONITOR BONE DAMAGE I MANAGED TO KEEP OFF STRONG DRUGS FOR SO LONG.
    IT GOT ME IN THE END AND NOW I TAKE MTX BUT I AM GLAD ITS NOW AT 51 AND NOT 36.
    ARTHRITIS COMES IN DIFFERENT FORMS AND EFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY AND HOW WE COPE WITH IT.[/quote]

    Thank you, this has helped me alot. I really didn't want to start anything yet as am going through a good spell. Saw rheumy today, hes not happy about me not starting yet,he said "its not going to go away" Which of course I know, but I am not taking any pain meds at mo and swelling way down and stiffness. Have to go back in 8 months to see him and he will update xrays then. I can go back if anything changes befoe then. I will just try to go as long as pos before starting anything. By the way I'm 43. Hugs to everyone Jo
    :D
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Pixie,

    I'm also 43 and have had bother with RA since June.

    RA's not totally new to me - I was diagnosed aged 7, however, it has been in remission for most of my adult life. My rheumy wasn't keen to start me on mtx (or similar) in case this was another short-term flare up. As arcoxia doesn't seem to be controlling my RA (although I'm not sure what counts as controlling? No pain? Moderate pain?) he's sent me a leaflet on mtx. Have to say, I'm not exactly happy at the thought of taking it, but am also not happy at the thought of RA possibly damaging my body.

    It's all very confusing, isn't it!
  • maxi90
    maxi90 Member Posts: 11
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    i am on mxt when i saw my specilest first time he told me and my mum we should have tried to see him earlier as i was really bad and with in weeks of seeing him he had put me on mxt but had to have all my boosters so thats why it took a few weeks but i was much better once on the meds as it reduced the pain i was in

    so i would start the meds early so the arthritis doesn't cause any damage at all

    maxine
  • yorkie
    yorkie Member Posts: 57
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    pixie01 wrote:
    I HAVE HAD P.A. FOR 15 YEARS. ONLY BEEN ON MTX 1 YEAR.
    NOT HAPPY TAKING IT BUT PAIN IN HANDS AND FEET GOT BAD, AND DICLO WAS NOT HELPING.
    BEFORE THAT ON DICLOFENAC AND LOSEC FOR SICKNESS. MANAGED WELL ON THIS FOR 14 YEARS. HAD AFEW REMISSONS IN .BETWEEN. RHUEMY DOC FROM STAGE ONE WANTED ME TO GO ON SALPH BUT I THOUGHT I WAS TOO YOUNG AT 36 TO GO ON IT.
    HAD XRAYS OVER YEARS AND LUCKILY NO DAMAGE TO JOINTS YET.
    SO WHAT I AM SAYING I COULD HAVE PUT MY BODY THROUGH 14 YEARS OF THIS DRUG AND STILL BE AT THE STAGE I AM AT NOW.
    SOME MAY SAY I COULD BE WORSE NOW BECAUSE I DIDNOT TAKE IT, BUT THEY CANT CURE ARTHRITIS ONLY ALLEVIATE IT . WHAT EVER WE TAKE.
    AS LONG AS THEY KEPT GIVING ME XRAYS TO MONITOR BONE DAMAGE I MANAGED TO KEEP OFF STRONG DRUGS FOR SO LONG.
    IT GOT ME IN THE END AND NOW I TAKE MTX BUT I AM GLAD ITS NOW AT 51 AND NOT 36.
    ARTHRITIS COMES IN DIFFERENT FORMS AND EFFECTS EVERYONE DIFFERENTLY AND HOW WE COPE WITH IT.

    Thank you, this has helped me alot. I really didn't want to start anything yet as am going through a good spell. Saw rheumy today, hes not happy about me not starting yet,he said "its not going to go away" Which of course I know, but I am not taking any pain meds at mo and swelling way down and stiffness. Have to go back in 8 months to see him and he will update xrays then. I can go back if anything changes befoe then. I will just try to go as long as pos before starting anything. By the way I'm 43. Hugs to everyone Jo
    :D[/quote]

    JUST A UPDATE.
    STOPPED MTX LAST WEEK AS ALT WAS HIGH FOR LAST 3 BLOOD TESTS.
    SEEING RHUEMY IN 5 WEEKS TO MAYBE TRY ANOTHER DRUG.
    PAIN IN HANDS BUT FEELING SO MUCH BACK TO MYSELF. BEEN ON MTX 1 YEAR AND FELT SO TIRED AND THICK HEADED (FLOATY) NOT MYSELF. EVEN WITH PAIN AND SWOLLEN HANDS I AM INJOYING FEELING WELL.....I HAVE MORE ENERGY TO DO THINGS I HAVE BEEN PUTTTING OFF ALL YEAR....
    HOPE YOU ARE FEELING WELL.. YORKIE :lol:

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