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Alison-RH
#1 Posted : Saturday, January 30, 2010 9:41:41 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 43
Hello Everyone, haven't been on for a while as things have been quite steady but I have a question which has been niggling me for a while now and I wonder if anyone out there can help answer it. I;ve been on 15mg MTX since August - my rheumie tried adding in leflunomide in October but I reacted badly to that so was taken off it and I'm now just on MTX. What I want to know is - should the MTX get rid of all the pain, and would it stop the arthritis spreading to other joints. Originally it was just my hips, knees and a little in my hands - but whilst my hips have improved, I still get pain and swelling in the knees and recently started with pain in both elbows. I was under the impression that the MTX would stop the spread of RA - am I wrong? And can I expect t still have pain? I have to take tramadol to try and control pain. Thanks for any help you can give....... Allison x
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amanda_lewin
#2 Posted : Saturday, January 30, 2010 10:45:04 PM Quote
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Joined: 12/3/2009
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Location: Oxfordshire
Hi,

MTX is the most popular med for RA currently. It is used as an 'anchor' med too - ie the Dr will add on other meds, like the LLF you tired, SLZ or Hydro, Azathoprine and others. Sometimes the mtx will control the RA nicely, other times it will for a while and then begin to lessen. I'm afraid because RA is so unpredictable it is a metter of wait and see.....

Like you my rheumatoid is predominantly in my knees, hips and elbows. The mtx worked for two years alone and then things flared constantly so rheumy added Hydro, then SLZ.

One can choose to increase the mtx or/and add a 'friend'..you'll need to see your rheumy to discuss whic option is better for you.

Much love,

Amanda
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merryberry
#3 Posted : Sunday, January 31, 2010 6:54:30 AM Quote
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...and strictly speaking you have now 'failed' at 2 dmards and can ask what about anti-tnfs
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jeanb
#4 Posted : Sunday, January 31, 2010 2:51:35 PM Quote
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Hi Allison

I think the thing to remember here is that although the mtx will slow down and even halt bone erosions, any damage already done will not be reversed. Also mtx is not a painkiller. Any bone/tendon damage from previous flairs will need to be controlled by painkillers such as co-codamol and tramadol.

I have recently had almost the same problems and have had hydroxychloroquine added into my mix. I am doing well now on the combo of mtx and hydro and my inflammation levels have gone down considerably. Hopefully, this will happen to you when you have been established on another DMARD in addition to mtx - or indeed, put onto anti-tnf.

Love Jeanxx
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BarbieGirl
#5 Posted : Sunday, January 31, 2010 2:53:01 PM Quote
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Hi, yes, thats true, you can now ask for the anti-tnf drugs, maybe it would now be time to do this?
BARBARA
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Alison-RH
#6 Posted : Sunday, January 31, 2010 4:31:57 PM Quote
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Hi, thanks for the replies. Apparently, my rheumie says I'm not arthritic enough to be considered for anti-tnf. She says that she thinks some of my pain is caused by fybromyalgia but I'm not so sure. My muscles don't hurt - it is purely my bones. And since taking the mtx my energy levels have improved - although I know that I have learned to pace myself better so that could be something to do with it! I'm really at a loss as to what to do next as I feel that my rheumie doesn't really think I'm bad enough to do anything more for me. I don't even know when I'm seeing her again. x
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lyn2
#7 Posted : Monday, February 01, 2010 4:19:43 PM Quote
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Location: Notts
I'm sorry you're not happy with your current treatment. I'm currently on Enbrel, but it doesn't stop all the pain, which could be down to the fibromyalgia, but it's not all muscle pain. I think it's very difficult to sort out where the pain is coming from, or what is causing it.

Maybe you could ask for the MTX to be increased. I'm not sure how long you've been taking it, but it can take up to 6 months to work, and then if it's increased it would take a little longer.

Hope you get some answers.

Lyn
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