Only 54

Know just how you feel. I never took any medication for anything until diagnosed last year with RA at age 62 . It s really hard to come to terms with , but helps to know other people who have been there but are now improving. it s important to take the mxt as it's one of the meds used to hold back the progression of the disease which is so important if you have joints already affected. The blood tests will show if the mxt is having any adverse effect and if it's reducing inflammation so you will be closely monitored. But they also rely on patient feedback, so do keep a diary of any changes of pain or parts of the body affected. 

Methotrexate being a chemo drug helps some people. It did not for me, and the doctor agreed, as it does lower our immune system and can and does induce other systemic infections, and caused me to be in chronic pain, feeling so much worse. Its a very personal decision for you and only you. I was in far to much pain and misery on methotrexate, and the last serious dental jaw (tmj) trauma was the final straw for me, after 5 months on this treatment. The tmj is now a very painful and permenant disability. The literature that comes with this from the pharmacy was a very helpful and working closely with my RA Internist doctor. You need to listen to yourself and body, and make your own decisions. Since stopping, i no longer have chronic infections and systemic pain. After taking the dental antibiotic augmenton, having serious dental extractions, and getting off the mtx, 80 to 85% of my pain subsided- going on 3 yrs now since this time.

Hi Susan,

Quite a variety of replies here. To add to the confusion, I'll agree with some of your other replies....... For me, I managed to get better with serious diet and supplement programme. No grains, gluten, dairy, legumes or sugar and lots of vegetables, coconut oil and eggs. Supplements include msn, magnesium, probiotics, omega 3, digestive enzymes, D3 & K2.

Seems like a lot but I am well now and without drugs. Hope whatever you do works for you. 

All the best of luck

Hi Susan, I am 28 and was diagnosed in January. I've spent the last few months being told that I'm too young for RA. I was given no choice - I had to take methotrexate to stop the pain and damage. Whilst it's not working for me it is also opening the gateway for other drugs. I have now been prescribed hydroxychloroquine on top of methotrexate and within the next 4 months I will be moved onto biologics. I found it hard at the beginning - I can't have children while I'm on treatment and the side effects can be troublesome - but I've decided to be as positive as I can be. It could have been far worse and it gives me a good opportunity to reevaluate things and think about my health and wellbeing. Our consultants have our best interests at heart but RA is trial and error at least you will have close monitoring. Good luck 

Sorry to hear that but you will adjust before you know it. I'm up to 26 pills a day and I take them all at different times, some together some not, somen with food some without etc, to keep from having side effects and getting sick. It doesn't always help or matter, your just gonna get sick every now and then. It really sucks.