Tablets

twiny

Hello I’m new here and have been told I have rheumatoid arthritis in my feet,knees,wrist and fingers I have been put on methotrexate and folic acid I have been taking them now for 4 weeks as of 2 weeks ago I’m on 8 methotrexate one day a week I have been told could take up to 12 weeks to work!!! The specialist did give me a strong steroid injection as I was in so much pain then the pain went away for 2 weeks and I couldn’t believe it but now it’s come back as specialist did say would start to come out of my system after 2 weeks,so I’m really hoping the methotrexate will kick in before 12 weeks as I want to feel normal again and get back to work (only part time at first) I have been housebound for months nobody really understands unless they have my condition many thanks x

Ellen

Hello @twiny welcome to the Versus Arthritis online community. I understand from your post that you have been recently diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and have started taking Methotrexate (MTX)having had a steroid injection which really helped initially.

It's true that Methotrexate can take up to 12 weeks to work, but hopefully you will be lucky and it might be sooner for you. I hope you have access to some pain relief too.

It sounds as though you are feeling a bit alone with your condition so I am very pleased you have found this forum as lots of our members have Rheumatoid Arthritis and everyone understand pain here.

While you are waiting for someone to come along and chat to you I am going to add a couple of links for you to read:

The first is for those newly diagnosed:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/newly-diagnosed/

and this one is about managing pain:

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

The most popular category here tends to be Living with arthritis do please have a look around and join in any threads you want to.

My best wishes

Ellen.

frogmorton

I remember when I was diagnosed @twiny having the jab in my rear. It was part of the diagnostic process for me as I to not have the rheumatoid factor in my blood.

It lasted just long enough for an imminent holiday with my kids at the time.

The 'real meds' the DMARDS took a bit longer to work, but I was also prescribed at the time prescription only anti inflammatory and painkillers. I hope you have something like that to get you through for now?

I'm glad you've found us because we do understand we really do and you can moan as much as you need we will do our best to help.

Keep posting and ((())) for you

Toni x

twiny

Thank you both so much for getting back to me , I’m not sure if I can take other tablets while on methotrexate and folic acid think I read this on the information leaflet,only side effects at moment is headache and rash which was mentioned on side effects;hoping tablets will kick in before the 12 weeks xx

twiny

While on methotrexate I have to have regular blood test my 2nd blood test came back saying my CRP came back as to high inflammation doctor said might be because I had a very strong steroid injection that’s almost left my system (as the pain has come back) but he’s not sure so will see what my 3rd blood test says on 9th March ,has this happened to anyone else? As bit concerned also anyone out there with rheumatoid arthritis have really swollen knees? As this part of m body is the most painful especially trying to walk and going upstairs I really hope the methotrexate will work for me as only been on the high dose now for 3 weeks,any advice would be wonderful x

JenHB

I had really swollen knees which then led to the diagnosis of RA. At my first appointment (in October 2021) and then again at my appointment in November last year the consultant drained fluid from the knees (and put steroids in too for good measure). The difference it made for me was amazing as it meant that the joint could actually move which meant it was a lot easier doing stairs/standing up from sitting as well as being able to walk (rather than hobble) round work.

It may be worth asking if this is an option for you?

twiny

Thank you so much I will enquire about this 👍

twiny

I’m still taking methotrexate for 8 weeks now apparently takes 12 weeks to kick in,doctor has put me on naproxen and paracetamol to help with my chronic pain been on it now for 2 weeks but only difference I can see is the pain on my knees but still painful on ankles and especially fingers,wrist and arms so I’m not sure if naproxen is fully working so might have to try something else I was put on steroid tablets last November and they seemed to work can you still take steroid tablets while on methotrexate? I’ve really had enough now as I’ve been housebound for months and still can’t return to work I can hardly do anything for myself 😢