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Rank: Newbie  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/1/2010 Posts: 2
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Hi, my name's Beck and this is my first time posting on the Forum (any forum in fact!) I'm 39, married with 2 lovely kids  I was diagnosed with 'non-specific inflamatory arthritis' just over 2 years ago, after suffering pain in my hands and feet. I started taking Methotrexate, Meloxicam, folic acid and Predisnolone. Was coping quite well with this, and even managed to come off the steriods which I was really happy about. The last few months, started having more periods where I didn't feel the drugs were quite keeping it under control, so my consultant has gradually been increasing the MTX, and I am now on the full dose of 25mg per week. Still struggling, mainly with fatigue and aching feet. Also seem to be having a lot of migraine type headaches which seem to last for about 3 days, does anyone know if these are related to the arthritis??? I had a lot of x-rays and blood tests last time I was at the hospital and am due to see the consultant again early December. He may put me on something else as well as MTX, so any advice as to what that might be would be welcome. Lovely to meet you all, and I know that some of you are suffering a lot more than me, so sending you all hugs! Beck xxx PS Feel a bit of a fraud as I have not actually been diagnosed with RA, but when I read all the posts on here I realise that whatever I have is pretty much the same as RA
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/18/2010 Posts: 351 Location: Herne Bay Kent
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Hi Beck Firstly do not think you are a fraud just because you don't have a firm diagnosis, we all have different experiences but can help support one another A warm welcome to the forum, you will find it very informative and supportive. Sorry to hear that the medication does not seem to be holding things under control. I don't know what they will suggest but they sometimes add another dmard as well as the methotrexate as drugs in combination seem to be more effective. I have been diagnosed 5 years and am currently taking 20mg Methotrexate and started on Enbrel in January. Prior to that I was taking Sulphasalzine with Methotrexate. It does seem that medications seem to work for a time and then your body seems to become used to it and then they have to find something else. I do not know if headaches can be related to the arthritis but I am sure someone will be able to advise you. Hope that your appointment in December goes well and they manage to sort your medication. Look forward to hearing more from you. Best Wishes Sue 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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Hey Beck!
Nice to meet you too.... inflammatory disease arthritis... sounds rotten to me! You are very welcome indeed here.
I have 3 children who are now 16, 14 and 4.
Im 35 and married and have got severe RA which isnt controlled.
There are people on here of all ages and all levels of disease. Its not a competition and not one Id want to win anyway! lol!
That MTX is often brilliant for RA and lots of inflammatory immuney related disease. Its not the be all and end all though and it often is used in partnership with other things.
Have you had an ANTi-CCP blood test? that is a much better indicator of RA than the rheumatoid factor.
Migranes can be to do with the meds but also they can come with things related to immune things.
I found that my menstral cycle seems to make a big difference with the RA and that can give migranes I know.
Looking forward to seeing more posts. How old are your children?
Jenni xhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
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Hi Beck. I can't offer anything more than has been said but I would like to say welcome to the forum. I am Sheila aged 60, diagnosed 9 years ago and currently on mxt. You will find the forum a great place to gain information, share experiences, have a moan and meet people with similar problems to your own. I do hope you get sorted with your meds and have a successful consultation in December. Keep posting.
Sheila x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Beck Welcome to the forum. A great place to be for support and information; lots of folk, lots of knowledge and a wealth of tried and tested experiences! Glad you have found us and NRAS! I'm Lyn, married to Mike, we have four 'kidults' Abby 23, Ian and Jake 18, and Louis 17. We live in Thornton Cleveleys in north west Lancashire. I was diagnosed with RA over 23 years ago and have since run the gauntlet of medication, had several surgical procedures along the way and looks like more in the offing! Currently on Prednisolone, Methotrexate and Naproxen. Been on anti-tnf for 8 years but just stopped due to lack of efficacy, and starting Rituximab this week. Add to that little lot a bucket load of pain killers and other bits and pieces! But heyho... There are several drugs that can be added to the Methotrexate to improve efficacy the most common ones being Hydroxychloroquine and Sulfasalasine. Often Methotrexate works very well in combination with other Dmards. It will probably take a few weeks before you feel the full benefit of the increased dose of methotrexate, so fingers crossed (if only  ) you get a good result. The increased Methotrexate could be the cause of the headaches. Just something to keep a watchful eye on so you can mention it at your appointment. I have recently restarted MTX and headaches have become a bit of a problem. As regards fatigue it is important to pace yourself as much as possible and rest your aching feet whenever you get the chance! Look forward to getting to know you. Do keep posting, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Beck, Sorry to hear you have RA or what sounds like, It is difficult to get your head around something like this. I'm Lorna, I am 52 and married, we have 3 lovely daughters. I have had RA for 4 years now, I was started on the Triple Therapy Methotrexate, Sulfasalazine, Hydroxochloroquine and Folic Acid. It has worked very well for me and I keep really well now. I also was on Melexocam and Omeprazole at the start for pain. In total I was given 3 steroid jags to help me to move, when it started it hit me so aggresive, I wondered what on earth was wrong with me. Don't despair when the drugs kick in you will feel a bit better. Although it is hard try to remain positive, this does help. I used to get headaches too, but I now take the MTX in the evening which helps cut down the side affects, when your sleeping you sleep through the side affects. Try this it may help you. This forum is really good everyone has been where you are and we all know and understand how you feel, so never apologise. Nice to hear from you, keep posting and vent as much as you please. Thinking about you. Take care Lorna xx
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/1/2010 Posts: 2
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Thanks everyone - I will ask about the anti CCP( as well as everything else...!) at my appointment.
My daughter has just turned 10 and my little boy is nearly 8.
It really helps to be able to read about everybody's experiences on here.
Beck
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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hi Beck,
welcome.
the fatigue is very draining and can make everything seem so much worse,
after taking Methotrexate i had added Hydroxychloroquine which neither worked for me, now on Humira as well.
i'm 58 married with a grown up daughter,
you will find a lot of support and information here,
Suzanne x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/9/2010
Posts: 77
Location: Hampshire
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Hi Beck Welcome. My name is Deborah and I was diagnosed with RA a year ago. I am nearly 47 and married to Geoff. I have found this forum to be extremely friendly and very helpful. Take care Debs
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 346
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Hi Beck welcome to the forum. I'm Bev married to Mike with two grown upish children aged 23 and 20 still at home.
I have had ra 15 years and have been on mtx for 8 years.
Hope you find the forum a big help.
Bevxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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Hi Beck,
Welcome to the forum! You'll get lots of help and support on here.
I am 62 and have had RA for almost 11 years, now on mtx and humira.
Looking for ward to getting to know you.
Love Doreen xx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
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Hi Beck, and a warm welcome to the forum.There`s lots of info, empathy and humour on here, so I hope you keep posting now that you`ve found us. I was diagnosed almost six years ago now, tried & failed on various DMARDs & combinations of DMARDs, and currently take humira by injection. Take care, Kathleen C x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Welcome Beck.
Welcome to this forum which I know you will really find useful for friendship
and also advice.
I was diagnosed in 2008 and have failed on 3 dmards and 1 anti tnf
and have had first infusion of rituximab. I am married to Mike for over
33 yrs. and 1 grand daughter
Rose
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