Hello Sylvia,

Sorry to hear things not too good. Having a sore mouth is horrid isn't ?
Sorry though I have not been on this drug so I hope someone comes on soon.
Can the GP change your drugs though without contact from RA Department


Rose x

Hi Sylvia,

Was it your GP who stopped your methotrexate? Arcoxia is not a DMARD, and therefore doesn`t slow down the progress of RA. I`m pretty sure it`s a NSAID, which relieves the pain of inflammation, and does the same job as naproxin, diclofenac etc.

The gum infections sound nasty, but can happen with MTX. If you have a rheumy nurse it would be best to talk to her about the problems MTX has given you. Are you perhaps on another DMARD, alongside MTX?

My GP sorts out my anti-inflammatories as and when I need them, but wouldn`t prescribe Arcoxia as he prefers others in my case, due to the fact I`m on medication for high BP.

I hope this helps, but I really would check things out with your rheumy department.

Kathleen x

Hi Sylvia

Gum infections and ulcers are quite common with methotrexate and often it's a case of weighing up the benefits against the side effects. The sickness could be alleviated by switching to methotrexate by injection. As Kathleen suggests you do need to check with rheumatology whether it is the consultant's wish for you to stop the medication. This is normally outside the remit of the GP, unless special circumstances prevail.

The GP can adjust pain relief and anti inflammatories but RA specific meds are normally controlled by rheumatology. Arcoxia is a Cox 2 inhibitor (coxib) which may provide some anti-inflammatory relief only. It is however only a symptom reliever and will not control the RA (Methotrexate, as a disease modifying drug does this!). Naproxen is a commonly used NSAID for RA as it is particularly effective when used with Omeprazole for stomach protection, so unusual it should be stopped and replaced with Arcoxia.

Personally, I would continue with methotrexate until you are able to discuss with rheumatology. Hope you are able to get an early response.

Lyn x

Hi Sylvia

I have been taking Arcoxia for about 18 months, it's an anti-inflammatory drug, it has less risk of stomach ulcers compared to other NSAIDS. It's one of the best anti-inflammatories I have taken, I hope it helps relieve your pain.

Best wishes
Rebecca x

thanks everyone for quick replies, my doctor has R/ARTHRITIS as well and he camre of mtx and he has been on arcoxia for about 7 month and feels lots better,

i will phone rhummy nurse but have to wait for what seems like weeks for her/him to get back to me as there are only 2 rhummy nurses in the whole of north ayrshire so i could wait months, my doc said at the worse if i flare up then i can go back on mtx start at beging again or try something else, i was not happy on mtx from the start injections not good sick sore gums cold sores last year in hospital with chest infection and was not aloud to take mtx anyway, im fed up having to go to chemist everytime i dont feel right and to have to tell chemist im on mtx as there is so much you cant take from over the counter if on mtx, i will see how it goes, ive to go back to doctor in 3 weeks im still to take folic acid and p/ relief if i need it will keep you all posted xxxxx

Hi Sylvia

I wish you every success and hope the break from MTX will not cause a flare in RA symptoms or deterioration of your joints.

I initially started out on anti inflammatories, steroids and pain relief. The use of DMards was relatively unknown 24 years ago and consequently I have much damage that could have been avoided had today's treatments been available then. No medication is without side effects of one sort or another, it becomes a balancing act. Once damage occurs it may already be too late to correct by medication, the only option to correct deformed joints is usually surgery. I have been down that route several times too!

Clearly the Rheumatology service in Scotland is very different to that available in England. Such a shame you are unable to contact them by phone. I wouldn't go as far as to say you are in danger but without the disease modifying action of methotrexate you run a risk of incurring permanent joint damage. Anti inflammatories and pain relief control the symptoms, NOT the disease. Folic Acid is prescribed only to reduce the toxic effects of MTX.

Perhaps it would be worth having a chat with the NRAS helpline for their thoughts.

Good luck,

Lyn x

thanks, naomi, i will see how i go as im going back to doc in 3 weeks i dont think i will do much harm in that time, i think its terrable we only have 2 rhummy nurses for whole of north ayrshire, my doctor knows a lot about RA and know he would not take me of it on a wim, i read up on mtx and did not like what i read, i have a friend who is a lot younger than me she gets her bloods checked every 2 weeks and told they were satisfactory but she still ended up in hosp with something wrong with her liver after been to her doctor 3 times not feeling well, she decided to go hosp her self and was admitted, what is satisfactory is it good better than good lower than good, why cant we just be told what it is, i get very disapointed with consultent you have to wait 9 months to see them, you are in 10 mins then out lol rhummy nurse you have no chance,

on a better noteim feeling a lot better in my self hope it keeps up will let you know hope we all stay well sylvia xxxxx

hi rebecca, where you on mtx ??? i just didnt feel right the 3 years i was on it will try and get to rhummy nurse im sure my doctor would not have taken me of it if he was unsure xxxx sylvia

Hi Sylvia

I tried methotrexate by oral tablets and injection in 2005 and it made me so poorly, I just couldn't continue on it. I have been on Enbrel since and take arcoxia as a painkiller. Like everyone says you need to be on a disease modifying drug otherwise the Rheumatoid will have a feast on your joints.

I hope you can find a treatment that works for you.

Best wishes
Rebecca

thanks everyone for post my doctor taking good care of me and as he said if it doesnt work then i can go back on mtx so far so good, i just wanted to come of it for a while

i will keep you all posted on my progress if my joints start playing up doctor will put me back on it or try something else, i do feel like a weight has been lifted of my shoulders
and feel a lot better in my self for a wee while anyway hope everyone keeps well sylvia xx