got a dilemna

salamander
salamander Member Posts: 1,906
edited 21. Dec 2009, 12:33 in Living with Arthritis archive
Don't know what to do. Am due to see specialist rhuem nurse tomorrow with a view of taking methotrexate. consultant said to go down to 2.5mg of steroids a week before to see how I am. I think he was still hoping that I had a viral rather than inflammatory arthritis. My joints aren't too bad, right wrist swollen and painful, left one less so, ankles achy, one knee a bit painful and shoulder getting a bit worse. However, not as bad as they were. I just don't know whether to refuse the mtx for another few weeks or am I in danger of doing damage to my joints? Or are the steroids just as bad/or worse for me?

Any thoughts appreciated. Also got another added complication (see my next post!)

Comments

  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I'm sorry I cannot help with this one.

    There will be members along soon, who will help with this question

    Trish xx
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally - all I can tell you is what I've been told; that the steroids are worse in the long run, i.e the side effects are sometimes irreversible and can be worse than the MTX. Also the MTX stays in the body longer and can be stopped and started again if necessary, which you can't do with steroids.
    For me it was not a difficult decision as I have been on steroids for far too long and now have several steroid-induced conditions. I need to be able to come off them completely, but can't do that without something else and whatever it was needed to be steroid sparing too.

    I've now been on it for two months and have so far had no discernable side effects. The dose is increasing all the time, so that may change as I'm now starting on the higher doses, but I want to hang in there if I can.
    I was very reluctant to start on MTX but as far as I'm concerned it was the lesser of two evils.

    Annie
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks Annie, I know you are right but I keep hoping this disease will go on it's own accord. To complicate matters, I went to a routine breast clinic today (am high risk for breast cancer) and they found a lump. Had a mammogram and get results thursday. I hope it is nothing but just can't cope with more tests and stuff. It's been a hell of a year and not in a good way.
    Thanks for your support in any case.
    x
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sally, a close friend had a lump discovered earlier this year and after they lost her results (which meant she had a month-long wait) it was found to be a cyst. In that month she lost over a stone in weight, but she says she doesn't want that diet again!

    Let us know the outcome - we can either provide you with a shoulder or cheer with you.........

    Annie
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    annie_mial wrote:
    Sally, a close friend had a lump discovered earlier this year and after they lost her results (which meant she had a month-long wait) it was found to be a cyst. In that month she lost over a stone in weight, but she says she doesn't want that diet again!

    Let us know the outcome - we can either provide you with a shoulder or cheer with you.........

    Annie

    Thanks annie, finger crossed. It' just another thing on top of everything else, if you know what I mean!
    x
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Sally

    I'm sorry to hear that they have found a lump. Let's hope it is nothing and your mind is put to rest.

    Regarding MTX. If your Rheumy feels it is the best thing, then I think the sooner you can make up your mind to start it, the better.
    MTX has been used for various types of cancer as well as RA and PA and OA, which i have got. Staying on steroids can eventually bring on osteophorosis which is why they make you have alendronic acid once a week. I am also on steroids (2.5 mg at the moment) for Polymyalgeria Rheumatica,
    The MTX is suppose to suppress the disease so that it won't get any worse. I think that I would be looking at a life in a wheelchair ifit wasn't for the MTX so I am glad I am on it.
    Hope you can make your mind up soon.

    allthe best. Joy
  • trisher
    trisher Member Posts: 9,263
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally

    Good luck on that lump. Most do not mean it is serious. Just ditto Annie what Annie said we will be here for you.

    Love Trish xx
  • wibberley
    wibberley Member Posts: 421
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sally,

    I'm due to start sulpha soon. Rheumy had advised me to take mtx but I was too chicken, so have asked if I can see how sulpha goes and if that isn't helping then I will try mtx. It will take around 12 weeks to kick in as opposed to 6 but I'm going for it!

    Sorry to hear about your added complications. Life can throw some right clangers sometimes!

    Lois x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    trisher wrote:
    Hi Sally

    Good luck on that lump. Most do not mean it is serious. Just ditto Annie what Annie said we will be here for you.

    Love Trish xx


    Ditto what both Trisher and Annie have said...let us know what happens on Thursday. Iris x
  • lottiefox
    lottiefox Member Posts: 64
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Fingers crossed for good news on Thursday Sally, keep us posted.

    Lottie xxxx :)
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi wishing you the best of good luck for the lump. Most do turn out to be cysts and nothing to worry about, but I know that is easy for me to say. Good Wishes xxx :)
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all, I am so glad you are there. I will let you know both what happens on Thursday and also about the rhuemy nurse tomorrow. One of the reasons I'm procrastinating about the mtx is that I've got my father coming for the holidays and I don't want to feel tired or unwell. As some of you know, my mum died a couple of months ago and it will be my family's first Christmas without her and I feel wobbly enough anyway without problems with meds. I realise I might not have side effects of course!
    Once again, thanks very much.
    x
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    joyful164 wrote:
    Hello Sally

    I'm sorry to hear that they have found a lump. Let's hope it is nothing and your mind is put to rest.

    Regarding MTX. If your Rheumy feels it is the best thing, then I think the sooner you can make up your mind to start it, the better.
    MTX has been used for various types of cancer as well as RA and PA and OA, which i have got. Staying on steroids can eventually bring on osteophorosis which is why they make you have alendronic acid once a week. I am also on steroids (2.5 mg at the moment) for Polymyalgeria Rheumatica,
    The MTX is suppose to suppress the disease so that it won't get any worse. I think that I would be looking at a life in a wheelchair ifit wasn't for the MTX so I am glad I am on it.
    Hope you can make your mind up soon.

    allthe best. Joy

    Thanks Joy, I know that all you've said is true. The difficulty is because the steroids suppress the inflammation I think I am not as bad as probably am. Expect the nurse will enlighten me too! Thanks for your support.
    x
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Sally your having a bad time i hope all goes well with the test and you get a good result, Its a bit late now so you probably wont see my post untill you return from the hospital. Methotrexate does work well for some people and offten you may be asked to continue with the steriods whilst taking the Methotrexate. I assume your on Prednisolone whatever you do dont stop taking them without talking to the nurse or doctor it can make you ill. You neecx to reduce them slowley and it can take quite some time. Hope all goes well for your appointment
    Colin
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone, posted elsewhere but will post here too just in case you don't catch it. Good news for mammogram , it was clear :D. Am pleased as punch and one less thing to worry about.

    Re: mtx, have decided to take it starting in January. Good decision seeing as my joints are rubbish today! Thanks for all your posts and support, much appreciated.
    Sally x
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sally, that's fantastic news...........a Happy Christmas to you

    g030.gif

    Annie
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    annie_mial wrote:
    Sally, that's fantastic news...........a Happy Christmas to you

    g030.gif

    Annie

    Thank you! Happy Christmas to you too. How did you get that jumping smiley?
    Sally :)
  • annie_mial
    annie_mial Member Posts: 5,614
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sally, if you look on the Chit Chat forum there is a thread there called 'Christmas Images'. If you follow it through all the info is there - I only learned yesterday!

    Annie
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    annie_mial wrote:
    Sally, if you look on the Chit Chat forum there is a thread there called 'Christmas Images'. If you follow it through all the info is there - I only learned yesterday!

    Annie

    thanks, will check it out.
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Great news Sally about the mammogram...you must be so relieved...we are too ':!:') ':D'

    good luck with starting your new meds..hope they work well for you! keep us posted. Iris x ':wink:'
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dorcas wrote:
    Great news Sally about the mammogram...you must be so relieved...we are too ':!:') ':D'

    good luck with starting your new meds..hope they work well for you! keep us posted. Iris x ':wink:'

    Thanks Iris! I am relieved, last thing I needed!
    x
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    colinone wrote:
    Hello Sally your having a bad time i hope all goes well with the test and you get a good result, Its a bit late now so you probably wont see my post untill you return from the hospital. Methotrexate does work well for some people and offten you may be asked to continue with the steriods whilst taking the Methotrexate. I assume your on Prednisolone whatever you do dont stop taking them without talking to the nurse or doctor it can make you ill. You neecx to reduce them slowley and it can take quite some time. Hope all goes well for your appointment
    Colin

    Hi Colin, thanks for that. The result from my test is good. hurrah! Am starting on mtx in new year. I think you will be hearing from me again then! Decided it was the best option and am glad I did as had flare up next day!

    Thanks again everyone for your support.!
    Sally
  • josiec
    josiec Member Posts: 386
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Great news Sally, am so glad it all went well for you-I know myself what a stressful time waiting for results like that is. Have a lovely Christmas, very best wishes, Josie x
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    josiec wrote:
    Great news Sally, am so glad it all went well for you-I know myself what a stressful time waiting for results like that is. Have a lovely Christmas, very best wishes, Josie x

    Thank you Josie! It was pretty stressful but I can now try and get on with things. I hope you have a very lovely Christmas too! Sally
  • Starburst
    Starburst Member Posts: 2,546
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sally36 wrote:
    Hi everyone, posted elsewhere but will post here too just in case you don't catch it. Good news for mammogram , it was clear :D. Am pleased as punch and one less thing to worry about.

    Hi Sally, just read this. So pleased for you. I'm glad it's something else off your mind. Hope you have a lovely pain-free Christmas. x

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