Date: 26.11.2010
From: Richard
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Subject: Bit of a newbie here...
I've been diagnosed with RA since I was 14ish and it's been under control until recently with very basic 50mg Dicolefenac. However, over the past couple of weeks it's been bad and I'm finding it hard to walk. The GP gave me a steroid injection a few days ago in my knee, it settled it down but my hip is causing pain too. I've booked an appointment with a private rheumatologist for next week. What can I expect to happen? Will he start me on some meds straight away? I've just browsed through a few threads on here and am getting scared at the prospect of MTX or any of these stronger drugs :(
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Laura
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Hi Richard, I started with the symptoms of RA back in March this year and was diagnosed in July....I too was just taking Diclofenac daily but they didn't prove strong enough to control the pain...I was referred to a Rheumatologist and within my 3rd visit I was taking Methotrexate, injecting Enbrel and taking Meloxicam! I was pretty daunted by it all and very reluctant but I can honestly say it was the best thing I've done....it doesn't work for everyone but it's worth a try :)
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Amy
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Don't be put off by all the stories that you hear, I'm on the methotrexate and I do get side effects but not everyone I know does, so you might be one of the lucky ones! Even though I do experience some side effects I have to say I am a lot better on it than not! I've had the steriod injections aswell recently in my shoulder and knee and I found that helped a bit! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you :-) I know how daunting it can be! x
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Richard
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Forgot to say, I'm 27 so I'm a bit worried about the lack of alcohol you're supposed to have with MTX. Obviously I'd rather be pain free. Is MTX the most likely first option the consultant will try to put me on? Will he have to run quite a few tests before starting it? I've just had a blood test, so maybe that will speed things up a tiny bit. Oh, also I was wondering I keep reading MTX takes 12 weeks to kick in. Is this true or does it work a lot quicker than that? Sorry for all the questions. I'm sure you experienced members of this forum will have answered these questions over and over.
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Amy
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Hi Richard, I'm a newbie to the forum aswell so don't worry! :-) I'm 21 so it was a bit daunting being on the methotrexate with alcohol, to be honest it's not really affected me that much. i don't feel like I can't have a drink just do it in moderation :-p! I was on a few drugs before the MTX but that was a good few years ago, I've tried steriods, anti-inflammatories etc.... but nowadays you may just be put straight on the MTX, when I asked my consultant what the other options were I was advised there is a new drug out but it's too expensive just to be given out! Best of luck! x
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Richard
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Does MTX take a few weeks to take affect? What about Hydroxycholorquine? I see that mentioned by a few people.
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Amy
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
I found that MTX took a couple of months to kick in for me to be honest, never tried the other one so couldn't answer sorry! x
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: William
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Hello Richard I'm 50 but have the mind, if certainly not the body, of a teenager!!I was diagnosed with RA in 2003 and was on a different drug for a number of years but was put on to MTX in July. Like you I was in a panic regards alcohol but luckily I have managed to have a few without any probs so far. Good thing is when you are on MTX they do monthly blood tests i.e liver and kidney function, blood counts etc.I'm not saying you can drink gung ho and to hell with the consequencies but keep it within the recommended maximum unit intake. A good tip is to keep it very much in moderation till you have your first blood test. We are all different and some find that they just can't drink at all but hopefully you will be OK. It took around 3 months before I noticed the benifit of MTX but then it seemed to kick in and I have more or less managed without Diclofenic and pain killers for the last 6 weeks. RA affects us all differently and hopefuuly like me you are one of the lucky ones. I try not to worry too much about what the future might bring as I have already had a period of remmision but it came back. We can always hope that one day they will find a cure. Good luck
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Richard
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Ahh, thanks for your help guys. I'm feeling a bit more reassured apart from the long time it takes to kick in, as I'll have to continue to live like a hermit until it does. Who knows, the consultant might not even put me on mtx? My serum c levels aren't that high, 56, if that means anything to anyone?
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: William
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
There are a lot of serum 'thingies'on my blood results mate but not sure what serum c means. MTX seems to be the first port of call now a days. I previously was on a drug called sulphasalazine which did the trick at the time and didn't cause me any probs apart from orange pee!!! Good luck whatever happens.
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Date: 27.11.2010
From: Laura
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Understand what ya mean about the alcohol thing...I'm only 24 n was pretty reluctant about methotrexate cos I'm quiet a party animal but it's def worth the sacrifice of getting wrecked every weekend if it means less pain...I've been on mtx n also Enbrel for just over 2 month and I feel miles better but like Amy n William said u can still drink just in moderation, everyone different just listen to what your bodies telling you :) I only had to have a couple of blood tests till I was diagnosed n went straight on the meds...methotrexate does tend to be the primary drug but there's plenty of others tha might work better for you :) As for living like a hermit...snap, I know that feeling, stay positive though n know that's there's lots of people to talk to on here who understand, it's also nice to see that there's people more my age on here too that I can relate to more exspecially this no getting wrecked malarky lol (no disrespect to anyone older I appreciate your advice too :)
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Date: 28.11.2010
From: Paula
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Subject: Re: Bit of a newbie here...
Hello I've been reading post on here for some time now and have decided to take the plunge and join you all. From what I understand Richard you have only been taking anti-inflammatory pain killers since being diagnosed. It is my understanding of RA that you have to be put on some sort of drug straight away to try to stop (if you are lucky) or slow down the progression of the disease. They say that these drugs should be taken within the first three months of RA starting to get the best outcome. It seems to me that you have only been taking drugs for the symptoms and not the cause. You should of been referred to a rheumatologist straight away. I had MTX added last May. I am currently taking 15mg a week. I also take 6 sulphasalazine a day along with other bits and bobs. I have had no side effects at all. I do drink alcohol, have been told by my specialist nurse that this is OK as long as my blood test are alright. I keep an eye on the readings and from what I have read anything under 50 is deemed to be OK. My readings normaly range from 16 - 22. I am not saying that everyone can drink but my liver is coping with things alright at the moment. MTX is classed as the anchor drug for RA and is normally the first drug that people are given. 95% of people who have RA at sometime or other have taken the drug. Lots of people do very well on it. What ever you are given to take it will take time for it to start to work and may need tweaking alittle. Good Luck with what ever drug you are given.
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