A rock and a hard place

kirstyeb

I’ve recently started treatment (methotrexate) for PsA and I’m struggling… badly. I’ve had awful side effects and dropping out the anti inflammatories has had a monumentos impact on my physical abilities.

I’ve not been at work for the past week following a trip to hospital and physically I know in reality I’m going to struggle returning. Financially I can’t afford to be off work for too long, but I also know that I am worsening my condition by working.

I don’t really want to look for a less challenging job as once the methotrexate starts working (in theory) I should be ok to resume life as usual.

How do I outlast this awful period of balancing work/life/waiting for medication to work? Putting my life on hold just really isn’t realistic.

Any tips or other personal experiences of how you saw it through would be amazing

Arciere

Hi there

I’m so sorry to read your post - it is really difficult.

If you have a rheumatologist advice line at your local hospital - do call them and seek advice. Maybe ask for an early medication review? This time last year I was in so much pain and the local rheumatologist nurse helped me secure a steroid prescription from my GP, she literally saved Christmas. It might be worth asking about a taper of steroids or other anti inflammatory medication while the methotrexate kicks in.

I felt like the methotrexate never kicked in and simply made me an emotional wreck, I was moved onto Sulfasalazine which I felt didn’t work either before I landed on the Adalimumab which has been a life saver.

My only other advice is to not self medicate I.e if you’re unhappy with what you take, then agree how you change or stop with the prescriber. I stopped Sulfasalazine abruptly because I thought it wasn’t working in fact it was doing something.

I get the feeling they start many people on Methotrexate before looking at other things so if it isn’t working or making things worse then keep communicating with the prescriber and your gp. I recognise this may not resolve things today.

Work can be tricky - if you’re well supported then can you taketime out via the Gp fit note process? or seek advice from citizens advice or ACAS if it’s causing worry / which in itself may contribute to inflammation? I guess it feels odd that I never felt “sick” but the pain and fatigue can be extremely debilitating and really, taking time out did help.

Things will get better. Hope this helps.

annabanana

Hi @kirstyeb , I'm sorry to hear that you're struggling. You have gotten some good advice so far, and I just wanted to say that I know how you feel—feeling as though your whole life is on hold as you wait for a medication to finally work. I hope things improve for you, and please keep us updated 😊.