Only 54

Thanks Jo your right it does seem overwhelming, I'm going to give the medication a go tonight hopefully I'll sleep through any slight side effects.

 

Thanks Jayne, I've been given methotrexate, I'm just not used to taking medication and feel very panicked by it but I really need my life to improve, my hands and feet are so painful most of the time also I'm tired and irratable .

 

Hi Susan, methotrexate (MTX) takes a while to work but, though a strong medication, it really works for RA and is seen as the 'gold standard' for treatment as it prevents joint deterioration. I don't have RA but have a close friend who does - and it has been a life- saver for him. He has no disfiguration in hands etc and lives a normal life. He says that the first few months were awkward as he had to get regular blood checks as had some mild side-effects but then it all settled down. He's now on it for 6 years. We ALL worry about the side-effects of meds. - I'm taking a very strong drug for osteoporosis (brittle bones) and I've had many a sleepless night worrrying about horendous side-effect but eventually realised that, for me, there was no choice and just had to get on with it. If you experiece bad side-effects from MTX you can always stop the med. and get advice on an alternative. Good luck, and don't panic. Kind regards, J

thank you Juno I already have some disfiguration in my hands especially the left one so really hope this works for me . I do feel more positive now having read the replies I've had so far .

Hi Susan

There's no doubt about it: RA sucks. I'm 50 and was diagnosed last summer. I'm probably not the best person to ask about MTX, but for some, it really helps. I started on Leflunomide which helped the pain in my feet immensely. After 4 months I switched Doctors and was put on Methotrexate. I personally don't like it. It brings on nausea, diarrhea on an almost constant basis and my hair falls out like crazy. To top it off, it doesn't help with the pain as much as the other drug. But everyone is different, and even everyone reacts differently to the medication so definitely give it a try. It can take 3-4 months to really make a difference, but you should definitely see some immediate relief as well. Good luck and please keep us posted on your journey!

thank you Irevenden I have been given folic acid too but not had chance to start on them yet as today was the first day of treatment . Having blood tests in 2 Weeks the 

n again 2 weeks after that but hopefully it'll be worth it as I already have damage in my toes and swelling in both hands .

Put straight on mix . I've just taken them so fingers crossed it'll be ok and all my worrying will be for nothing.  

 

Should have put mtx 

Foods very high in magnesium and magnesium oil (i make this myself--absorbed directly and quickly sprayed on body daily) along with a daily magnesium mineral supplement is what got me completely off mtx and made all fibromyalga disapear (having fibromyalga for 3 yrs before figuring this out). I could not get this help or knowledge from doctors on this, but discovered this thru researching. Blood labs do not show your magnesium deficiencies, as all magnesium except 1% is suppose to be stored in muscles and bone unless it is depleted. It is very important you take calcium, d3, and a good multivitamin with high b complex vitamins, along with folic acid, and very preferably fish oil as nutrients need each other, in order to be absorbed into the body, so that hormone levels are balanced, and cortisol levels are in balance, which all play into RA and fibro symptoms.

My exp and research has shown not to take magnesium oxide, as it is very poorly absorbed, greatly affecting absorbancy levels of other vitamins and nutrients-- but instead, magnesium glycinate which is highly absorbing. Research how magnesium oil is made and greatly absorbed. It is extremely simple and hugely beneficial.