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Rank: Newbie  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/11/2010 Posts: 2 Location: Bedfordshire
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Hi Everyone Well, it's my turn to introduce myself. I’m 39 and live with my partner. I have seronegative inflammatory polyarthritis and have been taking 12.5mg Methotrexate and folic acid since January of this year. This forum has been a godsend to me and been very informative unlike my consultant ...grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!  My Consultant has been useless with giving me information right from the start but he has gone down the correct route to diagnose my condition…..hey I can’t have it all can I….even though he’s a private consultant!!!! I even had to ask him what my condition was called, he said it was Rheumatoid ‘like’ Arthritis but I eventually found out the correct term when he sent a letter to my GP. It’s not right at all but hey at least I’m on medication now that is working. About the MTX….I went through a phase of having sore throats and ulcers when I first started taking the MTX but it’s stopped now. I normally get nauseous the day after for a couple of hours but it passes which I can handle. I have had a couple of episodes though where I’ve been ill all day and once, it was all weekend. The odd time I’ve felt depressed and tearful after taking it which is not good when I’m at work. I took it Monday night though and so far this week I haven’t felt nauseous :o) Have to say though I really do think my hair is falling out…..I’ve got fine hair anyway so need to hold onto what I’ve got!!!! I’m thinking of taking some supplements or maybe adjust my diet to see if that helps!! Oh yes, that reminds me...other medication, what a nightmare…if I’ve wanted over the counter medication, as soon as I say what I’m taking I’m told I have to go to my Doctors and go away empty handed, I’m still not sure what I can and cannot take!!! I've got a cold at the moment too and daren't take anything!! Anyway better stop as I feel as if I’m babbling on. I just wanted to introduce myself and to let anyone know that I’m here if they want someone to listen, or share experiences. Suz x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/5/2010 Posts: 364 Location: mid glamorgan
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Hi Suz
Welcome to the site but sorry that youve got arthritis, Im Ceri im 42 with 3 grown up children, I was diagnosed last year and currently take 20mg methotrexate by injection, it is helplng but not enough so next appt theyre going to add something else to the mix.. When I first saw my rheumatologist they called it inflammatory arthritis but somewhere along the way it changed to RA. My hair falls out a bit sort of snaps off but not as bad as it was. This site is great for advice and understanding lots of experience on here! Keep posting and look forward to getting to know you xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Suz,
welcome to the Forum,
i also take Methotrexate at the moment been on it since June and have increased the dose from 15mg to 20mg these past 8 weeks. it has helped but not enough so i go for a review end of November, my body does tolerate it well.
pleased to hear it's working for you.
i agree with the problem of taking other medications it's always best to check ... going to the Dentist is another one.
i seem to be very similar to Ceri and think i will be following her down the route of another Drug soon but have no idea what ... unless they try me on Methotrexate injections first.
have to say i have a fantastic RA unit and Rheumy Nurse along with a supportive GP which really does make a difference.
i'm 57 married with a grown up Daughter.
you will find lots of support and information on here,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/26/2010
Posts: 271
Location: hampshire
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Hi Suz, big welcome but sorry you have RA. Im Heather, 47 married to Kev and have 2 children Jack and Katie, 19 and 16. I was diagnosed Sept 09 and am taking 25mg mx hydroxychloriquine and leflunomide. It takes a while to get the right cocktail but you get there eventually. this forum is great as there is always someone to talk to, listen to you and comfort you when this horrible condition gets you down!
lots of love
Heather xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Suz,
Welcome to the forum ! You'll get lots of friendly support and advice on here.
I am 61 and have had RA for almost 10 years, I am on mtx and humira.
Regarding taking over the counter meds with mtx, you can always check on line if it's ok. Just google mtx + whatever, eg paracetamol etc.
I do this if I'm unsure ,then when I know I can take something and they ask me in the chemist if I'm taking anything else I say no. (Not that I am encouraging people to do this! I was a nurse so I'm quite clued up on drugs.)
Hope things start getting better for you soon.
Love, Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello Suz
Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear you have RA. Your Specialist does not appear
to be the most helpful. You will get lots of support and advice on here I know I have.
I am Rose from Somerset aged 56 and diagnosed 2 yrs ago but my medication not
sorted after failing on 3 DMARDS. I am waiting not to go on to TNF's. It is all such a slow
process.
Keep posting
Rose
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Suz, and a warm welcome to the NRAS forum - I`m glad I found it when I did, as I didn`t know anyone else who had RA and felt quite isolated. There is a wealth of info and advice on here from people who have been there, done that and got the T-shirt! Hope the MTX works well for you. Take care, Kathleen x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 263
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 H i Suz welcome to the forum. I am Kathleen age 66 . I have had Ra for about 6 years . On MTX and Plaquinel and keeping well now.  Kathleen Mc.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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welcome from me too Suze. I am 34 and have been on MTX in the past.
Sorry the rheummy is a bit naff. You are entitled to a second opinion you know.... not sure what area of the country you are. I am in hampshire and can recommend dr chris edwards at southampton but as with all of them, it is getting to see them that is so hard at times.
Jennihow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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HI Suz, I'm Lorna, Ive been married to my husband Ken for 28 years, and we have 3 lovely daughters. I have had RA for 3 years and it was hell in the beginning, I did not have a joint which wasn't affected. I was really ill then, but having been on the triple therapy I keep so much better now. Sorry to hear you have it too, it is a nightmare in the beginning but it does get easier as time goes by. Keep a note of things you find help with your cold, Redoxon vit c 8 hour capsules are good and do help and are ok when on methotrexate. You have to watch cold and flu preparations as they affect your chest on MTX my pharmacist keeps me right on whats ok and whats not. Glad you have found the forum keep posting we are all here to help. Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hello Suz,
Welcome, I'm Anne married with two teenage boys and a foster boy. I was diagnosed in May this year and started on 20mg MTX which kicked in after approx 6 weeks and gradually you begin to think you are cured and maybe never had it really in the first place.
Unfortunately about 6 weeks ago my blood showed something wrong with my liver count and I was told to stop taking MTX until I saw the rhummy which I did, when I saw him he gave me the go ahead to restart MTX, I had only missed two doses but crikey how I am hurting now, I'm just waiting for it to kick in again.
Look forward to reading your experiences.
Anne x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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AnneB- I am an adoptive parent. It would be good to support eachother a bit. I am Jenni B-l on Facebook if you wanted to "friend" me. Having 2 children who have been LAC and one who is now S20 LAC plus a 3 yr old birth child has its unique but lovely challenges. my AC are 15 and 13 now. how old are yours? Jenni how to be a velvet bulldoser
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