Just Diagnosed with R.A

iwannerbeme

Hello Every-one.

I am 63 years old and was diagnosed with R.A a few weeks ago. It was a bit of a shock because other than a sudden very painful problem with the joints in my hands and feet, I had been well and healthy. I have just had shingrix and Pneumo vaccines. They gave me a steroid injection too. I am waiting to start methotrexate in a couple of weeks. I am quite scared about side effects.

I just anted to say Hi really. xx

Loggiemod

Hi @iwannerbeme welcome hope you get the suppport you need. This is a really good place to be for help and support.

chrissy33

Hi, just been diagnosed too. Have started Methotrxate, not too bad except first couple of days. Folic acid helps. It's all a massive learning curve. I retired two years ago so can pace myself. I find stories on community frightening, prefer to live in ignorance….

iwannerbeme

Hi Chrissy,

Nice to hear from you. My first week has been good. I felt Blah on tuesday, the first day after taking it, otherwise fine. I too am retired. Yes I too have heard a few stories. Yet I spoke to someone the other day who has been taking it for 30 years and is fine. I have loads of questions around being immune supressed, I need to speak to the rheumy helpline and I might pose some questions here too.

iwannerbeme

Hi @Loggiemod

Thankyou for your welcome.

Eeyore

Hello iwannerbeme. It IS a shock to be diagnosed with R.A., isn't it? Last year I was a fit and healthy 72-year-old, then one morning woke up in incredible pain and that was that. R.A. had struck suddenly and violently. I have been virtually housebound ever since, but am hopeful that further treatment will get me back to a near normal state. It took a few months to get an (urgent!) referral to rheumatology but had a lovely consultant and all the nurses at the hospital are lovely, too. And helpful. Hope you find the same! I have been on Methotrexate for 8 months now, 15mg a week - I can't seem to tolerate a higher dose, the nausea becomes too much to bear but 15mg is fine. I feel a bit "off" the day after taking it, but nothing serious.

I'm afraid it could be a long journey to get your life back on track, so be patient and be prepared! For some people Methotrexate is all that's required, for others an extra DMARD is added (didn't work for me, alas) and last resort is a Biologic (which I'm hoping for). But rest assured your rheumatology team will do all they can to help you and the folks here are incredibly helpful too. The possible side effects of Methotrexate look daunting but quite honestly they seem to be rare! Yes, we have to try to keep away from infections and make sure friends and family keep well away if they get colds, etc. And don't be worried about wearing a mask when out and about, especially with winter coming on, it could save you a lot of hassle.

Best of luck, don't forget Methotrexate can take several weeks to take effect.

MaryL44

Hello @iwannerbeme Just wanted to chip into the discussion on RA and methotrexate. I was diagnosed in June this year and was nervous after reading some horror stories about methotrexate. I've been on it now for approx 5 months and, honestly, apart from feeling a bit tired the day after, I don't find any problems with it.

That sounds smug but I'm only saying it because it's important to show both sides of the coin.

Take care

Mary

iwannerbeme

Hello Eeyore.

Thank-you for your response.

WoW. Thats awful what happened to you. I am so sorry you are still housebound with it. I sincerely hope the treatment works for you. Fingers crossed. Ive heard good things about the biologics. My consultant was lovely as was the rheumy dept generally. I took my 2nd dose of Methotrexate today. I feel a bit spaced out like last time, I guess I will feel blah tomorrow and hopefully be fine by Weds. Thats is what happened last week anyway, Ive noted I dont feel as spaced out as last week though by quite a lot.

iwannerbeme

Hi MaryL44.

So pleased methotrexate is working for you. I dont think you sound smug at all. As you say, its important to mention the other side. Anyone one new reading will hopefully feel a bit more confident about taking it. As has been said on other threads we dont know how each will react until we try it, but I understand its generally well tolerated. I have a hope I will go into remission and have to stop taking any drugs, its how i am getting through it at the moment. I may have to tell myself this for the next 20 odd years though lol.