New to forum

kirstymac
kirstymac Member Posts: 2
edited 4. Aug 2010, 10:11 in Living with Arthritis archive
hi guys, I have just joined, I was diagnosed with inflammatory (they can't decide what kind of) arthritis just before Christmas. I'm now on Plaquenil and methx 15mgs, it all seemed to be working until a couple of weeks ago but I now have pains in both feet, ankles, hands, shoulders and elbows. The pain is intermittent depending on what I'm doing and my eyes are becoming very dry. My stiffness appears to be lasting a lot longer too. All my symptoms are reasonably mild but are beginning to get me down. I am due to see consultant Thurs and am dreading the possibility of an increase in the methx as I find the side effects quite unpleasant! Just wondered if anyone has same kind of symptoms and could offer any advise?

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,227
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Kirsty

    Good to meet you.

    It's a pain isnt it? Sounds like a flare maybe? Good thing you have outpatient's while you are a bit sore - I usually go when I am fine and dandy :wink:

    Maybe you might need an increase in the mtx - I hope not - often 'they' will let you decide a bit yourself - he might say you can - if it continues for instance? MIght give you an extra apt with himself or with the nurse? to check yo agin in a month or so? Might be another painkiller he can try?

    Don't worry if you can help it - it only makes it all worse. :(

    Love

    Toni xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Kirsty,

    Welcome to the forums from me as well and hope it goes well for you n Thursday. With the side effects you can get help with minimising them from the gp if needed. The dry eye thing you can get some drops for, I think they are called artificial tears.

    For tomorrow make sure you jot down all the things you want to ask about and hopefully there will be some help for you with some of it. Please let us know how you get one and nice to meet you. Cris x
  • carola
    carola Member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Kirsty

    Initially docs told me inflammatory arthritis as they couldn't pinpoint it, then they said rheumatoid arthritis. I wasn't convinced as some of my symptoms didn't match. I was then rediagnosed with SLE (a form of Lupus) and I am more satisfied with that as I tick every one of the boxes.
    I am glad it is SLE as we can kick it up its backside better than RA.
    I'm not for a minute saying you have a wrong diagnosis but I always tell people to question the docs (in a nice way) if it could be something else just in case.
    I take 20mg of methotrexate as well as Plaquenil and lots of other stuff. It sometimes makes me a bit sicky. Also recently started Prednisolone a steriod which is giving me mighty relief although cannot stay on it forever.
    It may be a flare up you are experiencing. If so, hopefully you can be given something to ease the pain in the short term so you don't feel like you are going around the bend!
    Good luck with your appointment and keep us posted.
    Carol
  • carola
    carola Member Posts: 786
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Forgot to say in my previous post that I have PolyArthritis as well which means swelling of x4 or more I think. So that explains the 100yr old body I have at the moment.
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi kirsty

    welcome to the forum from me too. I have only been a member a couple of days and the guys have been great with all the advice they give. Such a warm n friendly bunch. :)

    Hope you get the answers you want at your app, and yes take a list of questions.

    julie x :)

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