i think im panicking, anyone taking triple therapy?

peridotlouise

im wondering if i refused the mtx too quickly.... i took it for 3 weeks and felt awful, and was put on hydroxychloroquine with my sulfa instead on friday but now that im coming up with swelling on my right foot randomly im thinkig maybe i should have given the mtx a good try?? i wanted out of mtx so much because i also hated that i couldnt drink and because it made me feel so ill the whole time. but with my foot playing up now, seems alcohol means nothing if i cant even move properly and that maybe feeling sick a couple of days a week is better than being in pain all the time if it helps at all. oh god.
does anyone take triple dmards?? like the combo mtx, hydroxy and sulfa? is this a good way to aggressively knock RA on the head???

peridotlouise

i really must be the annoying moany one on this board... apologies

stickywicket

You are simply stressing out, peridotlouise, and that's not good either for your arthritis or your general health. The best person to decide what's best for you is your rheumatologist, not us. We all find different things and combinations helpful. The hydroxy won't kick in for a while yet so you've no idea if it's going to help or not and the thing on your foot might or might not be to do with the arthritis and might well have appeared even if you'd stuck with the meth. Just try to relax and go with the flow. I know it's hard but it could be ages before the hydroxy kicks in.

frogmorton

You ARE NOT the moany one!!

Most of us arrive stressed confused and frightened. In pain and with stuff buzzing around in our heads .

You are 100% normal.

Maybe you could talk to the rheumy (nurse if it's quicker???), about trying the MTX again if you would like to. Could you try some anti-emetics this time with it???

You take care

Love

Toni xxx

resusjan

Hi there,

Its ok to stress about it all - thats what I did! I was diagnosed with RA late last year - I'm 42, work full time, am studying for a masters, have two dogs and 2 horses to look after. OH MY GOD!! I stressed out about it so much, I ended up at the GP's in floods of tears, having panic attacks and thinking my life was totally over.

I saw my rheumatologist - was immediately started on Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Hydroxy and folic acid (I was already on thyroxine for my hypothyroid), not long after I developed pernicious anaemia - I was then started on B12 injections which I now have every 3 months.

So - In total - I'm taking methotrexate, sulfa, hydroxy, folic acid, thyroxine and B12 injections. I'm fine, very few side effects, still riding my horse, working full time and studying - I don't know how long I will be able to continue to do all of this but intend to just keep going while I can.

I am closely monitored by the GP and rheumy and, so far, haven't had to change or reduce my meds at all.

I appreciate we are all different and respond differently to treatments but its probably best to take the advice of your rheumatology specialist nurse.

Whatever you decide, I hope it works out well for you.

Jan xx

jenniet

Hi there.

I've been on triple therapy for the past 3 years, a few side effects (but nothing too bad) and a definite improvement in the arthritis. The dosage is tweaked occasionally but on the whole I'm happy and doing most of what I did before the RA started. However it does take a while for the drugs to start working and it's worth saying that a lot of the initial side effects reduced the longer I took them. I know a lot of people have injections of the mtx. to combat the nausea, luckily I didn't need them, but maybe you could ask about them?

Jenniet.

ruby2

Hi
Im just about to embark on the same journey and had my concerns.
My Rheumatologist arranged for 2 long term users to contact me to discuss my fears etc. It has been very helpful. Would that be a possibility for you?

Good luck with it all .

dreamdaisy

You're new to all of this and it is a very worrying time. I have a life history of taking meds and have never thought twice about it but for you this is a whole new (and unwelcome) ball game. Maybe you didn't give the meth enough time - for some it can take a while for their body to adjust to the drug and only then can it start 'fighting' the arthritis - but if the current combo doesn't help that much you may well be able to try it again. This is a tough road on which you find yourself, it's a tough disease, it needs tough meds to fight it, and they can take a physical and emotional toll on you but if you can get through that you may well find the arthritis is improved. Sometimes things get worse before they get better and coping with the worse bit is far from easy. It takes time to find your own strategies for coping with the disease and managing life but you will, given time you will. Take care, keep up with the meds, rest as often as you can and I hope things improve for you soon. DD