newbie!!

kayleighmichelle87
kayleighmichelle87 Member Posts: 3
edited 19. Mar 2012, 13:56 in Living with Arthritis archive
hello, my names Kayleigh.
I was diagnosed in June this year I have JCA, my consultant put me on sulfasalazine. in September I felt great, no swelling or pain it was bliss. but mid November that all changed and appeared to be getting worse. my consultant has now put me on methotrexate alongside my sulfasalazine. I take my first tablet tomorrow. I'm not thrilled to be on this medication, it sounds rather unpleasant, sickness, hair loss etc. and only been 24 I hate that when I'm out with friends and their all getting drunk I will only be able to have one drink. especially with Xmas and new year coming up. I was just wondering how other young people feel about all this stuff! and any advice on how to cope with it all because I'm struggling to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Kay x

Comments

  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kayleigh
    Welcome to the forum....I'm sorry I cant help because I'm not on those drugs...I've got OA.
    Why dont you try the young peoples forum as well as here and see if you can picki anything up from there.???
    Love
    Hileena
  • prefabkid47
    prefabkid47 Member Posts: 1,316
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi kayleigh
    Welcome to the forum,shame you had to find us.Methotrexate has a reputation for possible side effects,but you cannot assume that you may necessarily suffer them.
    I have been on methotrexate for many years (12.5mg weekly),it has given very good control and no side effects.I have regular bloods (every 4-5 weeks).
    Ron
    ''Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy''. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Kayleigh, it's lovely to meet you though I am sorry you have had to find us. Meth does sound scary, doesn't it? It's true that it does not suit some but it is also true that quite a few of us on here take it and without any major side effects. I am on injected meth (which works out at the equivalent of 17.5 in tablets) and I have very little trouble. Yes, a little hair than usual may be falling out but I am 52 so that could be age-related rather than to do with the meth - and it does not come out in huge handfuls, the doses we take are far too small for that. I do become very tired a couple of days after the meth on the same week that I have done the humira injection but again I can cope with that.

    Be conscientious about the blood tests, yes they are a faff but oh boy are they important. Meth is powerful and they need to keep an eye on how your body is coping with it. I was on fortnightly bloods for years (come the New Year I am resuming them as the meth is being increased) but it is a necessary chore. As you are new to this med then yes, stay as alcohol clear as you can in the early stages to give your body the best chance of adjusting, but once you know what's what you may well find that a couple of galsses a week might be a possibility. The main focus has to be will it help the arthritis? Many on here find it does and I hope you will be included in that number. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Kayleigh,
    Welcome to the forum and I am sorry you had to find us.
    I was diagnosed at 25 and have RA for 8 years now. I was put on mtx as well, and now I'm on 25mg which I think is a maximum dose. Even though the mtx is not a pleasant drug I don't get any side effects, apart maybe from my hair falling out a bit. But that was resolved with folic acid 6 times a week instead of just once.
    Just like you I was worring about going out with friends, mostly clubbing, which I can't do anymore now, as I am always so tired and can't stand (or dance) for too long and now I am also married and have different priorities. Don't worry that you can't get drunk like your friends. Make your one drink last you longer and enjoy yourself watching them getting more drunk :wink: . This will give you lots of material for blackmail if needed :lol: . Just kidding :smile: . For me it was the getting to the club, walking, standing, dancing and getting back home, that got to me. Every time it was that bit harder for me to do, until finally I couldn't manage any more and stopped going altogether :sad: . Hopefully it won't be the same for you. If you have good friends tell them about your fears and maybe they will surprise you and try to support you by reducing the amount they drink and making sure you're having a great time!
    Try to be positive and remember that the most important thing is that you get better.
    Take care.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kayliegh, Welcome to the forum, I myself am 38yrs So welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy it.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kay,

    welcome from me as well though sorry you have been landed with the arthritis.

    just to reassure you really.... been on 25 mg and now ml's by injection for sometime now. the side effects are not automatic and you may get none and find the drug really helps you.

    i did get some side effects even on the injections but they are controlled and they do tend to ware off or get less severe so its gong to be ok.

    the hair thing... mine has thinned but it might have done that anyway at my age so please don;t worry cus it might really work for you and you may not get any of the side effects at all. mine were counter balanced by increasing the folic acid to 10 mls (i have liquid cus the tablets made me sick) every day except the day i do the mtx... with the folic acid they all have different ideas as how much and how often but it does help and other things can also be given to stop sickness so please don't worry cus it might really help. nice to meet you. Cris x
  • charlielou86
    charlielou86 Member Posts: 28
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    I am 25 and I know how these meds can all be quite daunting, I am currently off methotrexate to have a baby and my body is really missing it. Cant really remember many side effects and others have said people will react differently.

    Its not nice coping with this at our age and it can get you down when you cant do everything else that people your age is going. Keep your chin up though and if you need to chat feel free to get in touch. I blog about my day to day challenged you might find that a help as it will show you that you are definitely not alone. http://itsallaboutgettingfromatob.blogspot.com/

    good luck x
  • kayleighmichelle87
    kayleighmichelle87 Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi everyone,
    thanks for all your helpful posts. sorry its taken a while to reply back. ive been on the methotrexate for 3 months now. i havent had any bad side effects, do get groggy on saturdays but that doesnt last long. has for drink i certainly do not miss hangovers :lol: i limit myself to once a month which has had no effect on my bloods or liver :D the best of all i am pain free 99.9% of the time. just get the odd niggle.
    hope you are all well
    kayleigh xxx
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That is very good news indeed, kayleigh, and thank you for sharing it with us. There is certainly no need to apologise for being so well you've been off living your life - especially when it's a young life. I'm delighted for you. Long may it continue.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Kayliegh.. I'm really pleased you see getting on well with things hun. I'm on Sulfa at the minute, well, I'm having an enforced break for two weeks to see if it's that that is making nger lose my appetite.. Next step could be the Meth.
    I'm sorry that you're going through all this rubbish at an early age, having suffered OA since thirteen I know it's no joy.

    Best wishes for your future mi dear :D
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Wey-hey! That's fabulous news sweetie, I am very pleased for you. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben