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Posted , 11 users are following.

Erin33
Erin33

Hi, I went to a general doctor about a month ago because of pain in my hands and wrists, and occasionally one of my toes. He did bloodwork and the results came back with high RF, and inflammation. He then set me up with a Rheumotologist. I went there yesterday and right off the bat he prescribes me methotrexate, he did his own blood work, and X-rays of my hands and feet. I'm to take 5 of the Methotrexate pills a week, plus meloxicam. Does this sound right? I don't have anything completely unbearable at the moment, and I hope it doesn't get that way. I have no swelling...just painful fingers when I bend them, and also..right now my left knee is swollen. Seems to me that he should have prescribed prednisolone to get the swelling out of my knee. Any info is appreciated. What should I do from here? I want to be really pro-active so that I can get a hold on this before it affects my entire life. 

0 likes, 29 replies

29 Replies

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  • djinvicta
    djinvicta Erin33

    Posted

    As I said, and others. We are all different. Talk to your Doctor/consultant. 
  • Emily1234
    Emily1234 Erin33

    Posted

    I agree he should have given you one month of predisolone at tapered dose 20mg to 15 to 10 then 5 then wait then methotrexate but all are different you could mention it you must do what reaumy says not your doctor though they are the specialists fingers crossed for you x
  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname Erin33

    Posted

    Hi Erin,

    Steroids are a last resort medication for RA because steroids come with adverse effects in the long term. That said, steroids must be used very judiciously.

    Thosr of you diagnosed today with rheumatoid will never experience the disease severity because of the DMARDS, disease modifying anti rheumatic drugs, available today. Wisely, your physician is using MTX as a first defense drug.

    54 years ago...I was told to take aspirin when I hurtI had six additional small pox vaccinations each two weeks apart.. anti malarial drugs were tried...gold injections were once the latest...indomethicine.. butazolidine...orudis...feldene...and so many more. You do not want to relive those experiments that did not stop the disease from it's destructive path. Your positive Rheumatoid Factor means your disease has the potential to be severe if left untreated, unmodified.

    Nor do you want to need the really big guns like rituximab.

    Yes, methotrexate and meloxocam sound right. RA is tricky because the disease morphs. This is why one can go for five years successfully on a drug and then find it to no longer be effective.

    Your physician is being proactive. I hope this quickly settle down for you.

    kind regards

    judith

    • djinvicta
      djinvicta ihavenonickname

      Posted

      Good post Judith. Us "oldies" remember all those drugs. I was on the lot over the years,

    • ihavenonickname
      ihavenonickname djinvicta

      Posted

      Wow, I can no longer rattle them all off...blew my stomach out twice, 6 blood transfusions...shut my bone marrow down...troubled my liver.. .today, nobody should live this way. In time, no one will need joint replacenents...the TSA would have a grand time with my body hardware...just added an elbow, January will add a DRUJ, and February will bring a shoulder...and I need even more.

      Yes, we are going to be like the dinosaurs...except my bones are going to remain joined by all of the hardware...praise the Lord, I don't have to shine them. .

      lol...chuckle...chuckle

      judith

  • Erin33
    Erin33

    Posted

    I'm baaack!! I need some advice from you guys, again! I couldn't take the MTX... My husband and I are trying to get pregnant, MTX is a big no no. So anyways, my feet stay really stiff, makes it hard to walk... My shoulders KILL me at night. Rheumy doesn't give calls back... Can't get any of my results from his office. His reviews online are horrible, so I've had to find another rheumy. But their first appt isnt until Jan 4. My primary Dr has put me on Voltaren... It does very little. Just seems that I can't find anyone to help me get rid of this pain. Any suggestions? My husband has a methylprednisolone dose pack... I'm seriously thinking about trying it out. Should I?

    • Guest
      Guest Erin33

      Posted

      NO. You should never take medication that is prescribed for someone else.
    • Rowbirdie
      Rowbirdie Erin33

      Posted

      I don't even take prednisolone I've been prescribed without a direct say so from rheumy re amount and tapering!

      but if the voltarol isn't touching it, perhaps you could go back to your primary dr as a methyl pred jab or pred tablets prob would help tide you over as even if you see rheumy in Jan, whatever treatment they advise will take some weeks to work.

      i agree that heat really helps shoulders - I have an electric blanket.as for feet , it just improves as you move around and use them. 

      all the best

  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname Erin33

    Posted

    Erin,

    I'm baaack too, chuckle....No, do not take medication prescribed to your husband...

    So, go to a store like Walmart and purchase an electric heated mattress pad ..put it beneath your current mattress pad...set it at 3 at least two hours before you go to bed...warmth soothes arthritis and reduces morning stiffness.

    Warmth! You have to protect your bits and bobs from draft, cold, rainy cold.. all the time.

    Here in the USA we gave the hot water bottle a chug for an electric heating pad...your shouldets, knees...will love to have one.

    And acetaminophen 500mg taken every 6 hours (absolutely no closer) around the clock for days is a much safer way to go.

    My 54 years of JRA says so...

    Are you trying for a boy or a girl?

    hugs

    judith

    • Erin33
      Erin33 ihavenonickname

      Posted

      Thanks for the reply. We are trying for whatever God decides to give us. I will definitely be getting the heating pad asap!!! Question, I've had what seems to be a nagging cold for a week or so now... Could this be what is causing me to have such a bad flare up? It has never been this bad! Usually my hand will hurt for a day or so... Then a couple weeks later the other will hurt, now I'm having problems everywhere!!!! Only pain is in my shoulders, legs and feet are just really stiff making it hard to walk. I found the X-ray results on my patient portal that the rheumy did of my hands and feet. No erosion and normal tissue. Thank God!!!

    • ihavenonickname
      ihavenonickname Erin33

      Posted

      yes, when we are stressed, we flare...stay warm, avoid drafts, ret, sleep, and perhsps acetaminophen

      hugs

      judith

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