Recent massive flare up

ZecRich · 27. Dec 2024, 13:30

I have had OA for a long while and had a TKR on left. I use a wheelchair, as so many years using crutches has meant using crutches causes pain in hands & shoulders.

This year I had a flare up of pain, stiffness, and weakness in my hands, wrists, and shoulders that was brutal. I couldn't even pull a bedsheet up during the 6 weeks in the summer and the pain was, well it was evil.

I was referred to rheumatology and the consultant put me on a 4-week dose of steroids and ordered blood tests and sent me for x-rays.

I went back last week, and he has put me on 15 mg of Methotrexate and then Folic acid on the other 6 days. I am taking the first dose tomorrow night, as didn't want to risk any possible side effects over Christmas.

I am nervous about taking Methotrexate, but I have an appointment in a couple of weeks with nurse about the drug and rheumatology have been amazing.

frogmorton · 28. Dec 2024, 07:24

So does your consultant now think you have RA as well as OA? That's bad luck though a lot f us have it the other way around RA causing OA due to damage by the former.

Don't be frightened of the MTX many many many of us here take it and the vast majority don't have any problems. If you do there are solutions for most of them anyway. Also us lot have will have our own experience and tips too.

Such as taking it at night so you sleep off as much as possible and taking it on a day when you can rest the day afterwards if that's possible. I am a firm firm firm believer getting enough sleep the day after is really helpful.

Anyway i'm glad you're here and if there's anything just ask

Toni x

Nuthatch · 31. Dec 2024, 14:15

Poor you, sounds like you have had a really rotten time of it. Incredible that you bore that pain, I'm so sorry for you. Can't think of any words of comfort for that level of pain so I will just try to reassure you about the Mtx. I was a little nauseous on the tablets so have been injecting (currently 15mg) for nearly 20 years now. I have not had any side effects from Mtx itself and as frogmorton says I believe many many people on this forum take it with no ill effects. Steroids are wonderful things and I wish we could take them all the time. I do hope it gave you some respite from your pain and I hope Mtx can reduce it for you and make it more bearable. Very best wishes.