The more drugs I take the worse I feel!

helpatpol

I have had a diagnosis of RA now for about 12 months and take sulfasalazine and methotrexate. I went to the GP originally just with a sore knee which was very hot and swollen. After blood tests he sent me off to see the rheumatologist who did more tests and after much debate said I had RA. I hate taking the meds and have also had 3 steroid injections in my knee which are like a miracle and it seems to have got the message and settled down. BUT while taking the meds I have noticed a marked deterioration in my hands and feet which were absolutly fine before!! I have had 2 injections in my hands today (really hurt) and they want to increase my meth which I am reluctant to do. Each time they increase it I get worse. I feel like binning all the meds and seeing what happens. Sooo fed up Thanks for listening to my moan!

stickywicket

I can see where you’re coming from, helpatpol. You are rather hoping that either you don’t have RA after all or that, even if you do, you’d be better without the meth and sulph.

I‘m not a doc but I think I can safely promise you that the knee has settled down because the steroids have worked because you have RA. The reason why your hands and feet are now joining the party is because that’s what RA does. It’s a party animal and isn’t content with just one guest.

I can tell you what will happen if you bin the meds. Everything will get worse more quickly. You may not currently be on the right dose of the right meds for you but trying to pretend you don’t need them is just going into denial – something we’ve all been guilty of at times but not conducive to feeling better. Increasing the dose of meth and sulph will not make your RA worse though, if they are not the right meds for you, it won’t make it a lot better either and something else might need to be tried.

If the rheumatologist wants to increase the meth, I’d increase the meth. If that doesn’t help, go back and see what’s on offer. But, harsh as this may sound (and, believe me, I don’t want to sound harsh) you have a powerful disease which can only be kept in check by powerful meds. It isn’t going to go away whatever you do but, if you do all you can, you will have a much better quality of life for much longer. I very much hope that happens.

LignumVitae

Hi Helpatpol,

I think Sticky has said it all. I just wanted to add my experiences. A while ago, when I'd been on meth for about 18 months or so I came off not because the drugs were getting to me but because I was going to attempt for a baby (luckily I didn't get that far, the relationship failed instead, lucky escape but that's another story). My Mum had watched my arthritis get worse and like you, felt the drugs were either not helping or were contributing to the problem. In less than two months it was clear that actually, the methotrexate had been doing a very great deal. My body fell to pieces and arthritis moved in, to use Sticky's party analogy, for a full on illegal rave. I went back on the meth very very quickly, the relationship ended and when I pointed out to my Mum what that period of illness had been all about she finally understood and could see what the meth was doing. I am not one to learn from other people's mistakes, I much prefer to make them myself (I'm quite good at it) so I understand that my experience may not help you but I thought I would just give you an idea of what happened to me.

It sounds like RA is running wild with you. I hope very much that it settles soon and something helps you fight it. I went through a number of drugs before getting onto meth and it worked for me in ways none of the others had, that said, it may be that one of the others works better for you but for now, I'd stick with the approach your rheumy is setting out, report back any changes, good or bad and be ready to keep doing that til you have a bit more control over the thing.

The very best of luck and a big hug to you!

LV xx

helpatpol

Thank you for your replies. I am just feeling sorry for myself after having the injections this am. One of them really hurt and I just thought I am getting worse not better! I really don't like the meth - I have only been on it about 3 months but not seen any improvement. Here's hoping....

dreamdaisy

It is a powerful disease and therefore it needs powerful meds. It needs to be brought under control and the meds are the things to do it but that can come at some cost to us. I currently have a cold and throat lined with barbed wire so this means I won't take my humnira or my meth this week - I know I'll feel better in myself despite having the cold!

It is important to persevere with them because they can slow the progress of disease and that is important. Hang on in there and come and talk to us - we know what it's like. DD

helpatpol

Thanks dreamdaisy.

Soretoe2

The others have said it all so I just wanted to add my sympathy. It's a horrid disease and gets us all down at times.
If you want a moan here is the place to do it. Everyone really does understand what you are going through and boy is it rough sometimes.
I hope you feel a lot better soon, take care of yourself, Joy.

bubbadog

helpatpol, I understand how you feel, having mixtures of meds/injections makes you feel crappy! If you feel sick you could ask for anti-nausea tablets. I take them and it does ease any sickness you feel. And we all have a moan on here, so don't worry about that! Arthur is a nasty disease and only the people like us who suffer from it truely understand how nasty it can be! So your among friends who truely understand what your going through!

BikerAngel

Hi, as everyone has already said it is a horrible disease with horrible drugs to control it but don't give up and please keep taking the meds they do help and if that ones don't there are lots of others they can try till they get the right ones for you. I had a few years of diff ones and am now on Methotrexate 20mg and humira fortnightly injections and have a diff life compared to what I was used to in the beginning. Most important info I can give you is keep note of how you feel and what is happening and discuss it with your rheumy when you go for appointments as you need to keep them informed of how you are getting on and feeling and symptoms so they can get you the right meds. Good luck and take care x

merri

Firstly have a hug as you sound fed up /hug. Secondly I agree with what others have said, which may sound harsh but the drugs are preventing the disease from doing more damage. If you were to stop taking them, then the damage would spread quicker and you'd be feeling a heck of a lot worse. The disease needs to be kept in check, and sometimes although it may feel like the drugs aren't doing anything, the disease would be worse without them.

If the healthcare professionals are telling you to increase the Methotrexate, no matter how depressing it might be to consider that, they don't tell you to do that without good reason. Speaking from personal experience, my RA is currently running riot throughout my system as the drugs aren't keeping it in check any longer and I'm going to have to either up my meds when they see me on Thursday or to switch to something else.

helpatpol

Thanks everyone. I do feel a bit more positive today but that could all change soon as it is meth day today - yipee!! No more moaning - onward and upward and my hands do feel better with the jabs yesterday so its been easier to work today - just taking a break and chatting with you. Thanks again for your comments and support. Helen

PowerOn

HI helpatpol I sympathise having to take drugs is not ideal but sometimes we just have to, Glad your hands are feeling better I hope that continues.