fed up newbie

vand

:evil hi all am so fed up woke after a midday nap on the 31st may in agony gp useless prescribed anti infamm got to a n e myself eventually after a month in agony i got to see a consultant at rheumy to be told i have rheumatoid arthritis given a steroid inj a leaflet on methetrexate and told come back in 6 weeks have been in so much pain since cant do all the things i used to had to go back to work as they started me on half pay, just like a life sledgehammer whacked me on that day am trying to cope working but tis so hard, seeing cons on 17th aug but i dont know wether to try metetrexate as have heard bad things?

just had to rant sorry for those worse off then me

vand xxx

limpinglenny

Hi Yes welcome to the club, I am so sorry that you are going such a terrible time, everyone who you speak to on here has been where you are coming from, or they either are carers of someone who has/is suffering but you will find some of the support you need and find and from the website places to go people to meet, groups to go to. All you have to do is ask either the great help team or at your health centre or hospital Ranting is what we all do sometimes better then others

LL! X

nanasue

Hi Vand,
Sorry to hear you are having such a bad time. I don't know what horror stories you've heard about Meth, all I can tell you is I've been on it for 6 years . Started on10mg now up to 20mg, the only problem I've had is when getting past 15mg I used to feel nauseous on the day I took it and the day after, so now I take 10mg on Tuesday and 10mg on Wednesday and that has sorted the problem, this was at the suggestion of the consultant. Some people say it makes them really tired but as I'm tired all the time because of the RA and my other illnesses I can't tell. I can't tolerate any of the other meds so my only other option would be anti-TNF and I don't want to go down that road yet. Meth is the best drug of choice for most people, hydroxychloroquine and sulphasalazine (which is an older type) have their own side effects so really you're between a rock and a hard place, but you need meds you can't manage without. When you see rheumy take a list of questions with you, that way you won't forget anything. Don't forget evryone on the forum is always hear to answer questions, there's usually someone who has the answer and we're all very supportive and we don't mind if you have a bad day and want to moan, we all understand. Hope this helps in some way,

Sue x

valval

if you are in as much pain as you say try it it is the only way you will know if it will suit you if not they will find other meds that might good luck val

Ankyspond

Hi,

It's natural being worried about the effect of these drugs but you have to think about your quality of life now!

I went on methotrexate on it's own but for me it didn't work ( I have AS and why work for ne doesn't always work for another), I inject anti TNF every week which is FB but have jut gone back on methotrexate as well for pain n my peril joints. I have not had any problems, always a rik of infection cos of immune system and you have to read the possible side effect but not everyone get everything or anything! Do what's right for you but you can't live in this much pin forever. Xx

dreamdaisy

I have been on injected meth for over two years and have very little problems with it. Side effects are not guaranteed and you won't know the possible benefits until you try it. It can take a little while to work but if it does it's worth the wait. Your GP isn't useless, there is not a lot he/she can do. They are general practitioners, not specialists. I hope the consultant is able to help you, meth is the standard first treatment and it does work very well for some. I wish you well. DD

hileena111

Hi
I just popped on to say Welcome.....I cant really help because I have OA not RA.
Dont forget the helpline is on the front of this website....lots of people have rung them for advice.
I see you have got advice already.
Love
Hileena

frogmorton

Hi Vand

Hang on in there. Hang on you will make it to the 17th and looks like they want to start you on MTX....this is good and should help control the disease.

Your Gp was like most GPs.....slightly ignorant.....most of us had to go lots of times before we actually got to 'see' anyone of any use!!!

Can l ask what pain meds you are on in addition to the anti-inflams??

Huge hugs from me and of course welcome to the forums...we will help you get to the 17th

Love

toni xx

julie47

Hi Vand

I am sorry that you are in so much pain and can not decide whether to try methotrexate. I have been on it over 10 years working alongside other meds.
You will be well monitored and at the slightest noticable change in your bloods that meth is causing a problem they will stop you taking it.

Good luck with your consultation
Juliepf x

tillytop

Hello Vand and welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for support, advice and "listening ears" when you need to vent!

First, just to say how sorry I am that you have RA and that you are struggling so much at the moment. But, although, understandably, it probably all feels like a total nightmare now, try to hang on to the fact that now you have a diagnosis, you can get going on some meds which will helpfully start to improve things for you.

As for the methotrexate - I completely understand your concerns. I've had RA for nearly 16 years now and I have taken pretty much all the meds going during that time and I still, even now, worry about starting something new. Many of these meds take a good few months to get into your system so my solution is to tell myself firmly that I will try whatever it is for 6 months and, if it doesn't work for me, or if the side effects are unnacceptable, I will stop. I don't necessarily tell the consultant that, but it just makes me feel more in control of things. It is only by trying a drug that you can find out if it works for you and make a decision about whether any side effects outweigh the benefits. And the thing about many of these drugs is that, if they start to cause you problems, when you stop the drug, the problems go away and, with methotrexate you will be closely monitored and any problems will be picked up quickly.

Methotrexate seems to be the "drug of choice" these days and there are lots of forum members who take it (myself included) so you would be in good company.

Please do keep talking to us, we do understand because we've been where you are and know how difficult it is.

Thinking of you.

Tilly xxx

dreamdaisy

Hi vand, how are things today? I hope you are feeling a little better/brighter. DD

bubbadog

Hi Vand, Welcome to Arthers gang! We do understand how you feel pain wise and frustration with your G.P. I can suggest maybe changeing the G.P you see to another one in the practice if their is one and ask for a second opinion to do with meds your normal G.P suggested. Or if no 2nd G.P tell your Consultant about the problems your having and see if he can suggest something else.
Good luck with everything, and welcome again to the gang!