Medication - advise?

Shan71

I have been a diagnosed sufferer of arthritis for a few years now but within the last week it has been diagnosed as having PsA. The specialist has prescribed a type of medication and I just wondered if anyone else takes any medication and how they get on with it and how the side effects affect their daily lives.

maria09

Hi
This is a difficult one to answer many of us on here are on so many medications that are related to Arthur and it's been a gradual progression from one to another and one medication can work wonders for one will have no affect on another so I'm afraid its trial and error until the right combination is found to work
Here's a list of mine but it's taken 10 years plus to get to this
Paracetamol and Tramadol for pain
Etoricoxib, Sulphasalazine, Metoject (methotrexate) Folic acid for my Arthur as I have 2 types Osteoarthritis and a type of Inflammatory Arthritis
And a low dose of amitriptyline at night to help with pain and help with sleep
I do suffer from some of the side effects of all these medications but luckily they are only mild and infrequent
Someone else could take these meds and it could knock them for six that's why I say its trial and error and no quick fix I'm afraid
One piece of advice is always read the leaflets in your tablet box and don't get too worried on all the side effects as they have to put every single symptom that has ever been reported no matter how infrequent they occur
I hope I haven't confused you even more
Maria

Shan71

Thank you for your help Maria. I just wanted someone else's perspective before I start on my medication. It's a lot to take on board at first and I'm still reeling from all of the information I have been given.

stickywicket

Hello shan71 and welcome to the forum.

It sounds as if you've been treated for osteoarthritis previously but now have a diagnosis of PsA. GPs deal with OA but rheumatologists are the ones who prescribe for auto-immune types of arthritis and PsA is one of these.

It' s possible to get away with not taking any medication for OA as it's mostly about pain relief, though anti-inflammatories can play a part. However, auto-immune types of arthritis, such as PsA, are a different kettle of fish. They require Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Medicines (DMARDS) to slow down their progress. It will be one of these that your specialist has prescribed and there will be very few people with an auto-immune arthritis who don't take this medication as, unchecked, the disease will progress.

I take methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine and I have no side-effects worth mentioning. We, on DMARDS, do have to be careful around infections as we pick them up more easily than others and can take longer to throw them off but that's a small price to pay for having our arthritis under control. Remember to get a flu jab annually.

What medication have you been prescribed?

Shan71

Hello Stickywicket

Its just an awful lot to take in at first what with chest x-rays and blood tests and so on.

I have been prescribed Methotrexate and folic acid. I was just a little concerned about the side effects so wanted to find out other peoples opinions before starting the course.

I appreciate the advice - thank you

stickywicket

By law, drug manufacturers have to list all side-effects that have ever occurred but that doesn't mean to say we are likely to get them We have to remember that many of the people who suffered the side-effects will have been very old and/or also on lots of other medications for other problems. I think with methotrexate we just need to be aware, treat it with respect and never miss our blood tests because they will pick up problems before we are aware of them. I hope it works as well for you as it has done for me for 13 years.

Shan71

Thank you Stickywicket. I feel better about starting this course now.

frogmorton

Hi Shan

Lovely to meet you

It does take some getting your head around doesn't it all the medications. The folic acid helps with some of the side effects of MTX.

A huge number of people swear by it you know.

As and when you feel ready to give it a go we will be here to support you

Love

Toni xxx

Shan71

Thank you Toni. I decided to go for it and start my meds today. If things don't work then I can always stop. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

All who have responded have been extremely helpful and supportive. I cannot thank you enough. Nice to know that I have this network to help.

dreamdaisy

Hi, I am on a triple therapy for PsA (injected meth, injected humira, sulph tablets) and have very little in the way of side effects with any of them. When I catch a cold or infection I stop the meth and humira so that my immune system can fire up and fight the bug. I also have an annual 'flu jab and I urge you to get yours booked soon - your GP is hopefully aware that you are now on a DMARD and so qualify. I wish you well. DD

Shan71

Hello dreamdasie

I managed to get the flu jab this week. No adverse affects from that so started on the tablets. I was asked, however, if I wanted the pneumonia jab (as the methotrexate reduces your immune systems effectiveness and there is a higher risk of catching pneumonia). Not sure if this is necessary if I've already had the flu jab.

Appreciate your help.

Shan

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to hear back from you, thank you. I think it may be a good idea because 'flu and pneumonia are very different beasts (I had my pneumo last year). I am not, however, a doc so it's best to check this out with your rheumatology department. I am very pleased to read that you have had your jab - that is a good thing. Please have a look at the Living with Arthritis board on the forum, you will find many more folk over there who will be around for a natter about matters arthritic. You are not alone in being new to meth, there are quite a few who have recently started or are about to start. DD

mike26

hi shan71
pleased to meet you.
I was just the same as you when i started this medication ,
i to have PsA i am on my 3rd damard and about to start tnfs,
like the others have said it is a journey, but we do need these meds
to help .
good luck mike26.. :roll: