Bit of a shove needed PLEASE!

ironic
ironic Member Posts: 2,361
edited 4. Oct 2010, 15:34 in Living with Arthritis archive
I managed to get a nurse lead appointment at my hospital as things have been a bit rough over the last few months. Sleep seems to have left the building and hands, thumbs, wrists and shoulder have been giving me jip. Some simple tasks have got beyond me. The consensus was the Hydro has been of little or no use. So the upshot is to go onto MTX. I had an injection in the rear region so I hope that will keep me going over the next few days.
Not got time to dwell on it at the moment as I have a special family birthday to host. I know I will get the wobbles next week so some shoving will be required. All tips and hints would really be appreciated as I am feeling very shaky. I have appointment early next week with the pharmacy to go through the possible side effects.
God this dam disease makes you feel so vulnerable. Rabbit in headlight comes to mind. :cry:
Lv, Ix
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Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I,

    Hope the birthday goes well :D Its kinda good to have something to take your mind off things for a min, and something nice is a bonus.

    mtx isn't always a bad thing and well i have escaped a lot of the side effects so you might not get any at all. The one thing I do find is its a wipe out 2 days after........... Choose your day and well good luck flower. I shut my ears to the side effects cus t me they may not happen but my bones are being eaten.....

    Will be with you I! If need be i still got the JCB :wink:

    Sydney said he will peck you till you go as well..... You wont be alone so have very big pockets cus for you Primmy is coming as well! ((((( ))))) and I so hope it will work well for you. Love Cris xx
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I,
    Sorry you are feeling so down and in pain, god what I would give for a magic wand, I can't comment on the drugs, all I know is that they help so many people .
    You go and enjoy the birthday, and we will all come with you when you go to the clinic.
    Lots of love and loads of hugs (((((()))))
    Barbara xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Meth does work for many, and the side effects vary so widely. It can be a very effective drug, and you won't know until you try. If there are side effects, then bear with them until the meth has had a chance to get into your system - quite a few people have reported that the side effects decline as the body adjusts. Start on a low dose and build steadily. The most positive person about it is williamlargs, it is working a treat for him and with little (or even no) side effects. Make sure you are prescribed the folic acid too, that is supposed to ease any possible nasties. Many people panic about meth, I think it does get an unfair press as it can, and does, work for some. You might be one of them - I hope so! DD

    Daisy says beep-beep to Jessicar!
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • salamander
    salamander Member Posts: 1,906
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Sorry to hear you are feeling down. This illness does that sometimes. I didn't get many side effects from the Mtx apart from chest infections which I am particularly vulnerable to anyway. You might be lucky like Cris. Hope the birthday do goes well.
    xx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic,

    Glad you managed to get an appt to help to move things forward for you.

    I know it's always worrying starting new drugs but, as other peeps have said, everyone responds differently.

    Whilst it's important to be aware of the side effects "just in case" I know from experience that it's also easy to get hung up on them and worry unneccessarily. You will be monitored closely with regular blood tests when you first start, so they will pick up any potential problems quickly and if it's a problem you can stop taking it.

    Meth worked really well for me in the past - and I have just started taking it again after a number of years on other meds so I do understand your concerns.

    I really hope it works for you - and we will be right behind you shoving very hard if needed!

    Love Tilly x
  • queenfan
    queenfan Member Posts: 563
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I'm sorry you are feeling down, I hope you can enjoy the birthday
    I just wanted to let you know you can count on us, Beit a little shove
    Or a lift up,
    keep your chin up :wink:
    ((()))) Sue x
  • coco67
    coco67 Member Posts: 2,374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi ironic.

    im up for pocket duty when you go so make sure you have big pockets, sorry your feeling this way, arthur is a bugger isnt he. i hope they get you sorted and you soon see some improvement.

    thinking of you xxx

    coco xx
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic

    count me in on pocket duties :wink:

    we are known to have a great side-line in pocket munchies, but will try very hard not to make too much noise or mess :wink:

    When is it we go?

    I have found that the injected MTX has been great for cutting out the nausea, but as DD says do get the Folic ACid as that helps a lot. as for the side effects, they do (for me anyway) get better as the body gets used to the stuff.

    panic not! you're not on your own :wink:

    hugs
    WOnky xxx
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Cris,
    Thanks I will have a think which day to take it. Will see what happens when I go to pharmacy appointment as they might have an idea when I will be getting the prescription. They want me on as soon as possible but they will have to contact my GP to see if they will do the bloods at the surgery. I’m a fair few miles from the Hossi and will have to have them done every two weeks to start with.
    Erm...Sydney pecks may well do the trick.
    Barbara, Thank you so much for your support. It really means a lot to me. Hope you are getting somewhere with the Rhummy referral.
    DD, you’re a star replying when you are so ill yourself. They did say about taking Folic acid three days after the MTX. Also gave me the record book so looks as if I’m covered there.
    Knowing me I will wobble and fret until I actually take it then I will accept it and get on with it. Well that’s the theory anyway.
    Tilly, thanks for the shove. As you say it is the starting of the new drug. I put off even having the Hydrox because I thought I could cope. Thought I could out work it or out live it but this disease is so different to all my previous experiences.
    Sue, Hope you are still feeling ok ish. I really do appreciate your support flower. Yep a little shove will be needed.
    Coco, Will make sure I have big pockets, watch out for Sydney the cockerel he packs a mean back kick. Well yes I think I have got to accept that I need help. Things cannot carry on the way they are. Hate having to ask for help to do things all the time.
    Wonky, Monday afternoon for the pharmacy appointment. Not sure when I will start the tablets. Had the blood test done already so it will be down to the paperwork being sorted I suppose. No problem with the crumbs, just glad to have the company. So happy I found this forum. Hey 12 months today!!

    It’s my mum’s birthday tomorrow so I really want it to be a special family day for her. Got a cake and everything!!!! Might even wash behind the ears in her honour.
    Thank you all so so much for being there.
    Lv, Ix
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well, ain't mum lucky and I know she will be able to tell! :D Only you can decide what is the best for you, and you can only base that on the knowledge you have available to you at the time. It's not an easy decision: I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • roses1
    roses1 Member Posts: 1,850
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic,

    My mom has mtx and the folic 1 or 2 days after , she was advised to take it on an evening to minimise the sick feeling and to take with food . She sips at soda water if she feels sick, usually the next day.
    Blood tests are once a month and it has really helped my mom .
    Hope you are a lucky one too! If theres anything else you would like to know, do not hesitate !

    Hope your mom has a lovely birthday too!

    Rose x
  • chris7
    chris7 Bots Posts: 2,696
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic

    Sorry to see you having a bit of a wobbly time there at the mo. Do hope you are feeling okish tomorrow and can enjoy the birthday celebrations for your mum. I'm in the queue when you need a shove, a pocket dweller or a hug so do hang in there. Just leaving some courage, energy and hugs (((( )))). Hope you can have a good weekend there. Be nice to yourself if you can. I will be thinking of you.
    love
    Chris xxx
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning Ironic

    Sorry that you are having a bad time and I hope the shot in the rear has helped you for today. (they normally help me)

    Happy birthday to your mum and I hope the celebrations go well. Tomorrow you will just have to rest if poss.

    Will be there ready to shove you with everyone else and giving my support.

    Take care
    JuliePF x
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Ironic

    when it comes to shoves the peeps here on the foum have plenty experience.. and will not hesitate to get out the fork lift, snow plough or even call in the army to get you to your appointment!! :lol::lol:

    it's always so hard to decide on moving up the ladder of arther meds :roll: but even harder to deal with the onslaught of arther and what he might be up to in your joints. :shock: :roll:

    some folks have no side effects from Mtx....and you might well be one of them I. :wink: If you do start and encounter probs then you can stop... that option is always there. :!:

    I inject Mtx on a Sunday evening.. and also used to do the same when on the tablet form.. that way you sleep through any potential early nausea. :wink: It's also easier to remember to take on a Sunday as there are less distractions.

    You're already covered with the Folic acid (somebody here used to call it Frolic Acid :lol: ) and if need be it can be increased under doc orders of course!

    I hope the surgery agree to the bloods monitoring....I've always had blood tests done at mine.. and it has to be more convenient eh?

    please make sure you're given an Mtx monitoring Card which you carry with you and that has the results of your blood tests written in. It travels between doc and rheummy so both know what your blood tests results are :wink: (shared care I think they call it!)

    good luck with this ironicx we're all behind you pushing, shoving... even pinching if it gets you to go. :lol::lol:

    ...and a Happy Birthday to your mum and Happy Forum Birthday to you for yesterday. s010.gif

    you are one lovely person Ironic... always offering support to everyone... now it's our turn! (don't say I didn't warn you :lol::lol: )

    love and (((hugs)))

    Iris xx
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I,

    I also take mine on Sunday cus I need to be able to be awake to do Thursday's sale..... It wiped me out a bit on Wednesday and I did get nausea when I went to 15 and again when I went to 17.5 but please don't pt up with it...I did eventually ask for some anti-emetics and they do work.

    Will line up the lodgers as well for the shoving, and my car, and borrow the tractor as well as Miss L Legs (bless her she must get some tired :lol::lol: ) and her military regalia. We will get you there and this lot are well trained in the art of shoving.... I know :lol::lol:

    Hope your Mum has a wonderful birthday and a ((( ))) for you for doing the party.

    The mtx thing... for me ... after the sulfa and all its side effects the mtx is a breeze so fingers crossed you will find the same. More ((( )))'s Cris xx
  • breane
    breane Member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Try not too worry too much about MTX. :roll: A lot of us don't get bad side effects from it.I started on 15mg but due to being out in the sunshine it reacted with the sun and caused a rash so the dose was lowered.I had no nausea or sickness but have had some hair loss which seems to be settling down a bit.One bit of good advice I was given is to eat a large meal before taking the MTX and drink it with plenty of water.Also Folic Acid can help with nausea.I take one Folic tablet a day,Mon - Thurs before my MTX day on Sat. Do hope it will work for you. Breane.x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    As usual, wise words from dorcas. I always did my meth tablets at night, I did the enbrel at night, and I do the humira at night. You do stand the chance then of sleeping thro the worst, if worst there is. I hope the birthday is going well! DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,144
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic.
    all the best for next week i'm sure everything will go alright.
    i hope your mum has a lovely birthday
    take care. joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    First of all can I thank you all so much for your support. I cannot begin to tell you how much means to me. Like most of us I have tried to explain to family but it’s hard for them to understand. Especially today as the injection had worked its magic and I was moving so much better.

    The birthday bash went down very well and having three ankle biters around made it great fun. Youngest one is only 2 going on 45!! What a cutie. I made the fruit cake months ago and it was well fermented in alcohol. Had to cheat on the marzipan and icing (used the pre rolled stuff) and do you know it worked out just fine.

    Hi Sally, Thank you for being there. I will be with you on the 13th. I do hope you get some answers flower. It has been a long road for you.

    Rose, Thank you for the soda water tip. It’s that sort of information that really helps. Glad your mum is doing ok on the MTX I will be starting on the 10mg. Your right there is no reason that I shouldn’t be one of the lucky ones.

    Chris, bless you for your support. The energy and hugs have got me through the day.

    Julie, yes the injection kicked in just in the nick of time so I had a far better day today. Also I slept for 6 hrs straight last night so that really gave me a boost.

    Iris, you are so good replying to my post when you are having such a rotten time of it. You are so right about moving up the ladder of Arther meds. I think that is the thing that is bugging me. It makes everything all the more real. I will do as you suggested and have it in the evening. Maybe have a late evening meal might help?

    Hi Breane, oh I had forgotten about the sunshine thing. Mind you at the moment I seem to be more likely to have rust. Never ending rain in Lancashire!! I will find out on Monday about the folic acid doze. The hair loss thing does worry me I must admit. Being passed my sell buy date my hair and nails are the only good things I have left.

    Hello Joan, lovely to see you. Thank you for your good wishes it is appreciated more than you will ever know. My mum had a great time as she prefers family gatherings with home comforts. Cannot blame her at 92 though.

    I am shattered so I am off to the land of nod hopefully. I just wanted to say thank you and bless you for being there. You have truly helped.
    Lv, Ix
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Morning I,

    So glad the party went well and your Mum enjoyed it :D

    Just maneuvering the JCB and the tractor into place.... You have every chance of being fine you know! I got a bit if hair loss and the upped the folic acid to help stop it.

    Shall be behind you and with you for the pharmacist..... don't bother about the side effects flower cus they may not happen. ((( ))) and a bounce from a very bedraggled Primmy. Cris xx
  • speedalong
    speedalong Member Posts: 3,315
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic,

    hope birthday celebrations go well and the jab carries you through.

    Re mtx - you need to give it a go. Imagine if it is the med for you, but you don't give it a try ... you might end up needlessly suffering. You won't know until you try it. Lots of folks on here take it and will be able to support you.

    Speedy
    I have had OA since mid twenties. It affects my hips and knees. I had a THR on the left aged 30 and now have a resurface-replacement on the right - done May 2010.
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Lynn,
    Great to hear from you and it’s so good to know that you are improving after your flare. Will you be able to stay on your previous dose of MTX?

    You have reassured me Lynn and I thank you so much for that. I’m just not good and getting from A to B. Once I have taken the flipping things I will get over myself. Fear of the unknown I suppose. I am determined not to look on the internet as I did all that at the beginning and frightened the life out of myself. :roll:

    How’s the caravan going? Will you be able to use it all year round?
    Thanks for the Ice-lolly tip via our wonderful Trisha.

    Love, from Ix

    Hello Speedy,
    You’re right of course I must give a good try. I know I have come to the stage that I need help. Last straw was falling out of the bath and being unable to grab onto anything to stop the impact!! Durr. :oops:

    Hi Cris, Will have to watch out tomorrow as I think you have all exits covered. Even then there is the slightly soggy Primmy to deal with. Ermmm....... just looking for Sydney. Not hiding in the JCB bucket is he? :shock:
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Ironic :D

    it's good to see you are feeling a bit more confident and re-assured about starting the Mtx. :wink:

    Have you told us when you're seeing the pharmacist? I read back but couldn't see a day/ date other than 'early next week'....

    now I'm not for one minute doubting you'll go... but if we know when to gather and are with you pushing and shoving, nipping and tickling (works for some!) and then leap into your pockets when you arrive at pharmacy... it's got to be a 'fait accomplis' hasn't it :?: :lol::lol:

    lots of good luck for starting the Mtx Ironic! will be with you and will bring along some peppermint creams to sweeten the journey. :wink:

    Iris xxx
  • ironic
    ironic Member Posts: 2,361
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    3.30pm tomorrow :| Don't mind the rustling of toffee paper or the munching of butties but at the first sound of a cocker doodle I'm so out of there :shock: :shock:
  • dorcas
    dorcas Member Posts: 3,516
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    a065.gif

    good one Ironic! :lol::lol::lol:

    Iris xxx a065.gif