New to group

Joshua

Hello everyone. I am a retired 64 year old. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in June and after all my tests am due to start with methotrexate(7.5mg increasing to 20mg)and hydroxychloroquine(200mg) along with folic acid. Since diagnosis, the pain and swelling has been controlled by Prednisolone. I am trying to stay positive but am a little anxious reading about side effects of the drugs. I understand that everyone reacts differently and maybe am reading too many horror stories about other people's experiences. I would love to hear from anyone on the same medication and how it affected you.

Tom

Hello, @Joshua and welcome to the forum.

I see that you are 64 and recently diagnosed as having RA. My own medication journey almost exactly matches yours, only 8 years further on. After oral MTX, I was moved to weekly self injection, but had to stop this as I was experiencing discomfort in the gut. I now take Sulfasalazine as well as the Hydroxychloroquine. I was weaned off the prednisolone after a couple of months.

It is important to be patient when you start treatment. It can be a couple of months before you ee the benefit of the medication.

Here are some links from out website:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-methotrexate/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Tom

Joshua

Thanks Tom. I am starting the MTX on Monday - pill boxes filled and ready to go! Concentrating on my diet at the moment making sure I incorporate lots of fruit, vegetables and weekly salmon portion and also ad much walking as I can manage. Fingers crossed now - will be back with updates.

Karen