Newly diagnosed with RA

Sam54
Sam54 Member Posts: 3
in Living with arthritis

Hi, i am now on my 11th week of being on methotrexate and the pain seems to be gradually getting worse, the pain in my feet and hands is unbearable and is affecting other joints. I don't have to see the rheumatologist for another 2 months, i can not go on like this..i have read the drugs can take a while to work! Has anyone else suffered like this…i was getting pain in early December. 😪

Thank you

Comments

  • Welsh1
    Welsh1 Member Posts: 89

    Hi tell the rheumatology nurse normally takes 3 months at least do you take any thing else

  • Sam54
    Sam54 Member Posts: 3

    No i do not take anything else, i was prescribed prednisolone steroid to take if i need too,which done nothing for me before so do not want to carry on with them only because of the side effects these can cause.

  • Potholes
    Potholes Member Posts: 3
    edited 11. May 2024, 09:33

    This is about risk yes pred has risks but the benefit might well far outweigh the risk of harm. Most meds need to be taken regularly to work. I’ve had RA for years but presently enjoying the sunshine in Cyprus.RA is a a disease I live with with good medication, so can you. Not everyone responds to all meds but if needed you can be prescibed another although everyone or nearly so begins with MTX. It is worth trying for a few more weeks although you should report to RA team. I’d suggest that they’ve given you the pred to tide you over until MTX kicks in. Do ask them and hopefully things will resolve. Bear in mind if 10% get side effects then 90 don’t. Statistically your more likely to benefit from pred than not.

  • Woofy
    Woofy Member Posts: 363
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/62623/newly-diagnosed-with-ra

    ring the Rheumatologist dept. I find steroids are the only meds that make me feel halfway normal.

    Everyone is different I guess. I have been on a higher dose of Methotrexate for about eight weeks. I have an appointment on the 22nd of this month. They are going to add another tablet to the mix, I hope it works.
    the pain is very real, I do sympathise.

    &

  • Welsh1
    Welsh1 Member Posts: 89

    OftenMethotrexate is paired with another medication depending on what type of RA you have to make it more effective

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