Hi Julie

Sorry, I missed this in the first place, so a belated 'welcome' from me

So glad the jab has improved things for you, long may it last. Yes, I think you're supposed to rest a bit after them but I didn't know that until I had my third one (several years down the line!) - they don't always tell you these things.

I'm only on a low dose of methotrexate (to supplement the Sulfasalazine and Celecobrix) but it sounds normal to increase it as you've described, that's what they did with me with the sulfa.

Anthea x

Hi Julie,

Its wonderful when you feel almost normal again, but do take care and don't overdo it.

So pleased for you.

Anne x

Hi Julie,

So glad to hear you are feeling much better, the Steroids are a great help. I too remember or better still can't forget how bad my RA and more so my hands were at the start of my journey with RA. No one could have prepared me for the difference the steroid made to my life at that time.

The MTX is given to us all differently, but I believe it is they way forward in the South to introduce it and build up the doses and then introduce others if necessary. Good luck I hope it makes a great difference to you. I am on 15mg, I have been on the triple therapy, which means I took 3 different drugs introduced slowly at the same time and came down over the course of 3 years. I just take 2 drugs now, and the Folic Acid once a week 24 hours after my dose of MTX.

Have a lovely Christmas and a painless New Year. Lorna xx

Hi Julie,

I know it's not easy, stopping me was a big challenge, maybe that's why I was hit so hard in the beginning. I now know what it's like to do absolutely nothing. I really appreciate being able to do anything at all, I hated being so incapacitated. Things will improve, you will see given time. I wish I lived nearer you I would willingly help you. I am always as positive as I can be, my doctor says I should have more pain than I do but I don't, other than little aches which go away quickly most of the time. So there must be something in being positive. I like to think so anyway. I admire everyone new coming on here as I was too scared to know what lay in store for me in the beginning.

The nurse at the hospital said to me today she would never forget how poorly I was when first diagnosed. I could hardly walk or move come to think of it. But even then I used to get my husband to help me onto a chair to finish the painting near the ceiling, we had been decorating at the time I was taken ill. I used to paint just 8ins one hand supporting my other arm as I had lost the use of it. I can laugh now but then it was so important to me that this RA did not beat me. I loved decorating and my husband had helped with the walls but I wanted to do near the ceiling so's not to smudge the ceiling. It took ages but I knew I did it. and it was neat. Keep in there you will improve too,. Sending you good wishes for Xmas and the New Year.

Lorna x