New to all the drugs!!!!!!!!

bkermack · 3. Jul 2009, 02:18

Hi I'm Berni & I posted for the first time a couple of weeks ago. I went to see the specialist on Monday & have since been prescribed 5 painkillers a day (up from 1 that I was taking) & I also have to start taking Methotrexate & Megafol once a week. I have been doing research on the web & am really concerned about all the side effects that these drugs can have.

I suppose in my naivete I just thought that I could pop a couple of pills & be done.

I was told that I had the disease for three years and am quite upset that it was not picked up before.

Anyway, I am getting into the routine of taking these pills but still can't quite believe that this is me for the rest of my life. I have read alot of the posts on this forum and am amazed at how positive everyone is and the support that is given.

I am so glad that I found this & now look forward to logging on as it gives me positive thoughts & hope for the future. I know that I am not alone.

suncatcher · 3. Jul 2009, 02:46

Just to say hello and welcome to the site. This site is addictive and has side effects also the side effect is restlessness and the need to log on again.

I was annoyed as well when they took eight monthes of twoing and froing to gp telling em i had something wrong and being fobbed off.

The tests were seronegative first then i was told i had ra. My son was sixmonths old when it started and it has been hard with children also.
I hope you do ok on mtx.

:
) The side effects of pills worry me sometimes but they give out more pills to sort the side effects. :roll: :roll:
I have had ra 4 yrs and still adjusting to the challenges the illness presents me with and take one day at a time. and i have learnt to plan and pace myself which is hard when your head wants to do things and your body says noooooooooo. any way i hope you find this site both useful entertaining and informative best wishs joanne

suzster · 3. Jul 2009, 03:32

joanne is so right!
yes the side effects can seem daunting, but things like anti sickness tablets etc can and do help.
i myself have seen the side effects on the leaflets and thought "do i really want to take these?" but then i think about how i feel, how the RA makes life so hard, i guess then i realised that if the meds help at least i get some life back.
hosptal took7 months to diagmose my RA, i had a new baby and it was tough, now my youngest is 2 and a half and she has kept me going, when i was 1st diagnosed i felt so down, like my life was basically over, but with the fantastic support of everyone here i got through and believe me everyone is so supportive and full of advice.
also by going into the chit chat section you can have fun, theres always someone to have a joke with and just recently we had a virtual seaside outing which really cheared me up, helping you look at the light hearted side of life!
so do keep visiting and i'm sure you'll start feeling better soon.
take care
sue

woodbon · 3. Jul 2009, 04:20

Hello and welcome to the site. I have OA, so take different medication, but one thing I do know is that drug companies are by law, I think, made to list all reported side effects. This leads to some strange things listed. :shock: . With common side effects, I think, someone has told you to get tablets from your doctor.

It is must be a worry to you, but I hope you find you can take them with no ill effects and feel better soon. Love Sue

valval · 3. Jul 2009, 05:36

hi i have oa so also on different meds but very rare to get the side affects bad from what i have read just take as pres. and fingers crossed u will feel much better soon

also welcome

debsmartin · 3. Jul 2009, 06:14

Hi and welcome, I know what you mean about being concerned about all the side effects it can be pretty scary, I think the only good thing is that you are monitored so well I think that gives me peace of mind. I know I could not imagine going back to life without all my tablets when I think back to the all the pain I was in.

You have joined a really good forum, everyone here is so supportive no matter how silly you think your questions are there's always somebody to answer them, and yes I think this site is more addictive than all the tablets I'm on.

debs

frogmorton · 3. Jul 2009, 08:00

Hi
and welcome from me too.
I know what you mean...before this you'd get something wrong and have a course of antibiotics and it was CURED!!!
At the end of the day I look at it this way - I don't want the joint damage and subsequent deformity so I will continue to take them with a 'smile on my face'

As the others have said most side effects don't happen and if they do you can have 'something else' to sort it out.
Rest assured you WILL be monitored and they won't let you come to real harm
Take care
Toni x

twinney · 3. Jul 2009, 11:50

Hello Berni
Welcome to the site, its brill, if you need any help or advice, you are sure to find someone on here who will help, I know I have.
I suffer with severe arthritis in the spine and both hips, so are on different meds to you, I use to worry myself sick about all the side effects.
I now just take the medication and do the best that I can on a daily basis, its the only way that I can manage.
Anyway all the best , keep positive and keep smiling.
Regards
Lynda

madwestie · 4. Jul 2009, 10:13

Hello Berni, Welcome to the forum. I have Ra and have mtx injections as well as the pain killers etc. To be honest i don't take too much notice of the side effects, just the info you get from the rheumy nurse about what to look out for. Many years ago my Gp started me on a new asthma tablet and said "will your husband be a home tonight when you first take the tablet" i said yes he said "good he can watch out for yoou in the night just incase" that really made hubby worry all night. i have been taking the asthma tablets for over 15 years now still no sign of the side effect....
They just have to protect themselves.

I have not really had any side effects from the Methotrexate. some people do other don't. I agree that i would rather take the medication than go back to the level of pain and stiffness i had before.

As for being cheerful. I find that if i can keep positive things don't seem so bad if i have a day when i let it all get to me everything seems to hurt twice as much. so i tell myself that life is for living and we all have to put up with something this just happens to be what i have to put up with but it could always be worse.

I hope things settle down for you soon.

livinglegend · 4. Jul 2009, 16:57

Hi Berni

I've been on MTX for about nine years and as has been commented on, the drug companies have to list all the possible side effects, even if one person in a thousand complains. It doesn't mean that you are going to suffer any or all of them.

Everyone has different reactions to drugs and no-one can say that we are all the same. If you look at even the common painkillers such as paracetamol or ibroprofen, then there is a long list of side effects for both of them. Until you start on a drug and see if you have a reaction, then you shouldn't prejudge it. Any really nasty side effects, then back to the doc/nurse and discuss it.

Joseph 8)

page35 · 4. Jul 2009, 18:00

Hi berni
i am going to be starting taking Mxt tomorrow in addision to my other meds and i am a bit worried about side effects too, but reading this thread has made me feel alittle better.
i hope the mxt works well for you and me both

best wishes page

lindalegs · 5. Jul 2009, 08:20

Hi Berni,

Welcome to the forum.

I can't add much to all the sound advice you've had from everyone else but would say that we all take a gamble with our lives and we don't have to step outside our front door. There are lots of us popping the same pills as you and we're all okay (touch wood) and so long as we're being monitored - it's worth the risk just to feel better, in my view

.

Luv Legs

New to all the drugs!!!!!!!!

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