Just diagnosed spouse with RA already has OA.

Warney

Hello all, hubby was diagnosed with OA in hip in 2011, having it resurfaced in April this year. Been having pain and swelling in hands, feet, ankles, shoulders and elbows for sometime, and finally today diagnosed with RA too.
His consultant wants him to start methotrexate ASAP, however his liver was inflamed according to blood tests. She has has been told to stop diaclofenac and see if that helps.
To make matters worse, consultant today said that steroids might effect his recovery after surgery and didn't really want to start him on them either, but did give him steroid jab today.

Has anyone else experienced or is experiencing the same.
He is a 34 year old man, who was so active before, he is a police officer too, and I fear is in Denali somewhat as to the effect RA will have on him. He thinks methotrexate is a miracle cure for RA. Am I being too realistic, or could it just be?
Thank you for your time if you have read this to the end.

Warney xx

Numptydumpty

Hi, and welcome to the forum.
I have RA, but not OA, so can't really help. A lot of people on here do have both, and I'm sure someone will be along soon.
As for the Methotrexate, I think it can be a "miracle" drug for some people,(although it's not really a cure) let's hope he's one of them. If not, there are a lot of other meds out there.
All the best,
Numpty

stickywicket

Hi Warney. I've answered your post on 'Say Hello'

trepolpen

hi Warney

welcome to the forum , Methetrexate is a good drug for RA but can cause liver problems & one reason we take folic acid with it , my liver (atl) result was 170 & they increased my folic acid to six 5mg a week & my liver results are back to normal

there is other similar drugs so hope they can start him on something soon to help him

Mat48

I didn't know that the folic acid we take with Methotrexate could also minimise the damage to liver Trepolpen - that's really interesting because my liver alt has been raised on and off since I've been on MTX but I've just had a dose of Metoject raised to 17.5 recently and my folic increased to four a week and it's done wonders in stopping the nausea. And also my liver enzymes are within normal range despite me having a few drinks this week - which normally sends them way up!

I was diagnosed by my physio and GP today with having OA in my spine - L5 disc to be precise - and I already have RA so I'm the other way round to your husband but I am newly turned 50. For me Methotrexate has been a wonder drug - and taking it now by injection it's far better still. Not everyone fairs as well on it and sometimes new drugs have to be introduced but for the majority of people with RA the drugs make a significant difference so I wouldn't assume automatically that this will effect his police career in the long term too much. However in the short term I think it's really important that he gets his liver sorted out so he can take Methotrexate. Has he tried cutting out alcohol completely yet and also I suspect pain killers such as paracetamol can cause a raise in liver enzymes - worth looking into diet and other stuff to try and get it normalised as a priority I'd say. I'm not sure about this but if the OA is secondary to the RA then it may well be that the disease modifying drugs can help with this too. Mat x

dreamdaisy

Hi, your poor husband and poor you, this is a strain for you both, no? I have psoriatic arthritis and the joint damage from that has led to OA in both ankles, both knees and now my right hip. I am on injected meth (and some other stuff) for the PsA and I can honestly say that they do nowt for the OA (which is little wonder as the two sorts of arthritis are very different in their cause). I began the meth etc far too late for them to be of noticeable benefit but if your man starts the meth soon it could be all that he needs. Everyone is different in how they react to the meds and in the effect they have: one of our members recently posted saying that his RA has been knocked back into remission thanks to meth; it's reasonable to say he is a rarity on here but a fair few do find it an effective treatment - I hope your man fits into that group. I wish you both well. DD

Warney

Thank you for the reply., its so nice to help help and support on the forum.
Hubby's RA is totally separate from OA. OA in family on his fathers side, grandfather and father both had double hip replacements.
RA not in family anywhere, very unlucky.

Re the liver, he hardly drinks, and never at home, only on the very rare occasions we go out!
Had a call from rhumy last night saying the bloods had earlier in the say we're much better, had to have chest X-ray today to be sure, and waiting for call to say go go go. So will be folic acid today then metha tomorrow.

Thinking of getting a pre payment cert for him as the costs of meds and pain killers etc all adding up!

Hope you are all having a good day.

Warney xx

DebraKelly

I have RA and have been on Meth since I was diagnosed 4 years ago (I am 36).

I have been on Meth since the outset, first tablets and now week's injections. Meth is a great drug and it does help me, but everyone is different. I also receive regular steriod injections every 6 months or into my knee.

Your hubby must take Folic Acid the after Meth.
I find that the injections work better than the tablets, but see how he goes.

He will have horrible side effects to being with but they should disappear in a few weeks. I felt really sick, so usually took mints to help.

Also, have a look at what you can and can't eat with RA, I can' take anything with critrix in it now as is interferres with the Meth.

Hope this helps.

dreamdaisy

Hi, I don't like contradicting Debra but he may equally as well not have horrible side-effects from tablet meth. I took them for a while but had to stop because I got a rash - not once did I feel sick etc. Not everyone struggles with the meth, the side effects sound awful but they are not guaranteed to appear - many of us on here are fine with it. I wish him well with it because the sooner he starts the sooner the RA will be brought under control. DD

LignumVitae

Hi

Aren't you a lovely wife wanting to help so much? Some people really struggle to get their spouses on board.

I'm on meth, I went a few years trying different drugs that never seemed to do much for me but once the meth kicked in I was like a new person, it sorted me out!! I didn't get bad side effects. Many side effects can be combated by an increase in folic acid. The trick is make sure you report anything back to the rheumy and then they can help you with dosing the meth and folic acid correctly, doesn't always sort everything but it sometimes does. Living with arthritis you do need to make adjustments - you have to pace yourself (not easy even after years of trying) and you have to be realistic and ready for things not going to plan! With an understanding spouse though it is much easier, particularly if you can diplomatically spot the moments that things aren't right and help with the making of adjustments (my husband likes to declare he is tired sometimes or wants a break and once we stop I can see it was really just a cunning ploy to stop me going too far again).

As for pre-payment certificates, for me it is a no brainer, to make it pay I think you need three scripts a month (so meth, folic acid and a anti inflam/ pain duller and you are there) and it works out loads cheaper. Plus then, if you end up needing anything else you are covered so it isn't a worry.

LV