New to all this....

lynne2501

Hi,
I've recently been diagnosed with RA, and was fortunate enough to have got a diagnosis very quickly. I started Methotrexate yesterday (15mg) From everything i have read it seems that it takes a while to feel the benefits of it.

I am taking Naproxen and Co-Dydramol for the pain, but nothing takes it away. I also had a steroid injection last Wednesday but don't think that helped much!!

Was just wondering if anyone was ever pain free, or am i asking a stupid question?

Have considered hitting the vodka bottle just so i have the pain elsewhere (joking!)

Thanks

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am so sorry you have had to find us. I don't have RA but I am on similar meds to you. You are fortunate in that your diagnosis has been rapid, I am firmly of the opinion that the sooner one starts the meds the better the outcome might be and I hope that proves to be the case for you.

It can take time for the meth to build up in your system and therefore start bringing the RA under control, so yes, pain will still be felt. Pain relief does not do much in terms taking pain away - the stronger the relief the more you are taken away from the pain, not vice versa. The phrase 'pain dullers' is used on here because that is what they do, they dull the sharper edges. I prefer to keep my pain relief to the minimum so that when things get rough (and they do) I have the stronger meds to call upon. MInd you, I am now in my seventeenth year of this malarkey, and have two forms of arthritis plus fibromyalgia. I hurt therefore I am.

I never gained much benefit from steroid injections (either the general depo ones or ones into the joints) but for some they can work very well. When you have had one is it worth resting for at least 48 hours after in order to help the jollop sink in and get to work. Sometimes the relief comes along after a few days so hopefully you may start to feel better in yourself soon. I hope so. I wish you well and look forward to seeing your name here and there around the forum. DD

PS You will also need to enquire about having a 'flu jab as you are now taking an immuno-suppressant med.

maria09

Hello and welcome
For me the answer to pain free is no never!
I've tried many different meds as most of us have and I'm afraid its trial and error until the right ones are founding 10 years down the line with osteoarthritis and 4 years since diagnosed with inflammatory arthrthritis but think I've had it much longer
What works wonderfully for one may have no effect on another
Once again welcome and happy posting
Maria

lynne2501

thanks both of you.
kind of reached the conclusion that it is something i am just going to have to live with and that some days will be worse than others.
may try to stop taking the painkillers. i never have liked taking them at the best of times and see little point if they dont help.
thanks for advice re flu jab. thought i might have to get one of those.
nice to meet you both

dibdab

Hello and welcome,

I was told by the rheumy that it can take 12 weeks to gaini full benefit from the methotrexate, and many of us take it in combination with other disease modifying agents such as sulphasalazine and hydroxychloroquine sulphate. It often takes a while to find the combination that works best for you so hang in there.

As for a steroid injection, again it can take a week or two to have maximum effect, so don't despair!! They usually give me quite a good level of relief, though in truth I am never totally pain free. Have you tried simple remedies like a hot pack to sooth aching joints, or a warm bath with lavender oil to relax sore and aching joints and muscles? I recently had a nasty shoulder problem and found a hot shower gave me some relief for a while each day-mind you I stood there so long the skin wrinkled like a prune and the rest of the family moaned about no hot water in the tank :shock: .

Deb x

lynne2501

thanks Deb.

i was under the impression that the steroid injection would work within 24 hours so will keep hoping!
i have been using lavendar/wheatbag today and found it brought some relief so looks like it will be coming to bed with me tonight!
the thought of going in the bath scares me a little as i live on my own and the last time i tried getting out of it was a bit scary, not to mention rather painful.
guess it's just going to be a case of trial and error til i figure out what works for me.
thanks for your help x

dibdab

Just a thought, but if there is one (or two) joints that are particularly sore it might be worth rubbing in a pain relieving gel like Voltarol that can work just on a specific area? It has sometimes helped me when my wrists have been really painful.

I wonder whether your rheumy has referred you to an Occupational Therapist? There are specialist OT's who deal with rheumatology problems and they can give you splints to support sore wrists/hands, and suggest ways of carrying out tasks that might take pressure off sore joints- it's good early in the disease to protect joints from un-necessary damage to ward off future problems. They know about all kinds of useful gadgets that are fairly readily available too which make life a bit easier.

Thinking about not using the bath-I do understand that- my hubby sometimes has to help me in and out. If it's sore ankles/wrists/hands maybe soaking them in warm water in a bowl might help? I have a collection of nicely scented essential oils that somehow make me feel better-probably just the feel good factor because it's about spoiling myself a bit!

Do keep posting and asking questions- we learn a lot from each other, and it's good to talk to other folks who understand what we're trying to cope with.

Take care

Deb x

Kittkat

I wouldn't ask this has anyone been pain free on here. I've read other people saying they are pain free but I don't think its overly common. It is possible but an improvement or mostly pain free is what I'd aim for. I doubt I ever will be but early diagnosis is great and you've got a real good chance at a good result
Good luck and please update us on how you get on

barbara12

Hello lynne2501
Sorry I wont be much help has I have OA, but I just want to say welcome to the forum, I am sure you will get lots of info and help off here.

dreamdaisy

I haven't had a bath in over ten years, the getting in and sitting bit is easy (it's called gravity) but the reverse procedure? That's utter hell on earth. We have an over-bath shower but that is getting harder for me now. I willl issue clothes pegs to all in due course.

Make sure you have a telephone to hand in case the worst happens - and that the person you ring to come and help has a key. In my experience of things if you prepare for the worst it rarely happens but if you don't it will. DD

stickywicket

Hello Lynne. Yes, as the others have said, meth usually takes a matter of weeks to work and some of us lucky ones get more benefit from steroid jabs than others.

The suggestion of an OT is a very good one. You can self-refer via your local Social Services. Mine have provided me with a bath lift and no way could I get in or out without one. They are very helpful people.

Kittkat, I've never done 'pain-free' and I regard it as a dangerous ambition which leads to escalating levels of pain relief. For my money there is pain and there is fear of pain. In 'normal' life people are rightly afraid of pain because it's an indication that something is wrong. We, on the other hand, know something is wrong :roll: . Fearing it just makes us tense up more causing more pain. What is 'acceptable' might vary from one day to another but I have always aimed to keep pain relief to a minimum.

lynne2501

thanks everybody for all your helpful answers
the reason i asked about painfree is because i was led to believe i would be by the doc, but i know a few people who have it and they say the same as u guys.

i have been referred to OT just waiting for appointment as there is a waiting list. (i have volunteered to be a case study for my daughter's uni friend who is in final year if OT degree. might get special treatment then!

i have physio appointment on wednesday so that might help me get moving a bit more.

guess everyone has up and down days when they first get diagnosed???

Toots

Hi Lynne, and welcome x

I'm relatively new here myself and haven't yet had seen a rheumatologist (hoping that will be in the next few weeks) but you'll find everyone here very friendly and helpful.

If it helps, I too had a steroid injection last week (thursday) and the doc told me anything between 3 and 12 days for it to kick in. I'm still waiting patiently .... ;-)

purpleowl

Hi,
I am new myself to this site but I have found a lot of lovely people willing to share their knowledge.
I had a steroid injection which took a week to work so don't discount it yet.
I hope it works for you.
Purpleowl

lynne2501

well then Toots and Purpleowl, i'll just keep hanging in here for a few more days and hope it helps.
Toots, hope u get your appointment through quickly
Lynne x

Toots

Thanks Lynne. Keeping my fingers crossed for us all that these injections kick in soon

dreamdaisy

It took some time but I eventually learned that the docs deal with the theory whereas I have to live with the reality. I used to long for pain-free but now? Nah. I can no longer remember living a pain-free life and I am happy to keep it so. Pain is a weed that cannot be killled - it's the ground elder of my life. DD