Hi Jenni,

Sorry that you have RA. I have been taking Methotrexate for 3 years now and it has made a big difference. I was fine for a year on just metho but now have another DMARD and naproxyn (which is an anti inflammatory like diclofenac). Hopefully when the Metho kicks in, you will be able to drop the prednisolone. How long have you been on it for?

I tend to take the Metho in the afternoon and luckily don't suffer any nausea as long as I don't get too hungry. I have them with something stodgy like a sandwich and have regular snacks until supper time. The only thing I wondered is if you are taking any kind of stomach protector. I know that a lot of us on Metho and/or anti inflammatories take omeperazole or somthing similar to help with side effects on the stomach. It's worth thinking about if the tablets do affect your stomach. I don't have any other side effects and my regular blood tests have come back fine so far. Hope it works out for you as well. Let us know how you get on.

Julie

Hi Jenni

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear you have RA

I take mtx and hydroxychloroquine (what a mouthful!). The mtx was a wonder drug for me and within about 5 months of starting it, my pain levels were down to bearable. I tend to take mine after the evening meal, with a full glass of water. I think Julie is right - do ask your GP for a stomach protector to stop any nausea.

What dose are you on at the moment? Is your consultant putting it up in stages?

I know how scary it all is at first, bu hang on in there. None of us like taking these strong drugs - I still hate it after 3 years, but they DO stop bone/joint deterioration and give us our lives back, so not taking them isn't an option.

Let us know how you get on

Love Jeanxxxx

Hi Jenni,

Welcome to the forum, where you'll get lots of friendly support and information.
I take mtx and humira. Like others I take the mtx just before my evening meal, with lots of water.
I only have blood tests done every 3 months now.
Looking forward to getting to know you.

Doreen xx

Hi Jenni,

A big warm welcome to the forum. I'm 50 and not had RA for long, I had a brief experience of taking MTX and couldn't take it for long because of problems with my liver. However, I'm sure that you'll receive excellent advise from friends on the forum and hope that you'll begin to feel better soon.

Love,

Barbara
XXXXXX

Hi Jenny,

A very warm welcome to the forum though I`m sorry you`ve been diagnosed with RA. It takes a while to come to terms with evrything.

I took MTX as my second drug, after sulphasalazine, and like most others I took it with/after my evening meal so that if there was any nausea I slept off the worst of it. It didn`t really work for me, so I moved on to something else, but I hope it works for you.

Take care,

Kathleen x

Hi Jenni, welcome to the forum but sorry you have RA. I'm Julie and I'm 33 - I was diagnosed about 18 months ago just after the birth of my second child. I'm on a similar drug cocktail to you - MTX, Pred, Diclo. Folic Acid, Iron and Vit C. I started taking Methotrexate a year ago and am now up to 20mg - my Rheum assures me that it is probably working even though the dose has had to be steadily increased, apparently it's to do with 'young 'uns' (his word!!) metabolising the3 drug more quickly!

I take my MTX on Friday night after I've eaten, that way I sleep through the worst of the side effects and my other half is around to helpwith the little ones if I do feel unwell on Saturday. I find I need to make sure I get a good nights sleep on the night I take MTX or I do tend to feel unwell the next day which is strange!

Hi Jenni,

I have had RA since I was 8 and a half and am now MUCH older...LOL late 30s! and I can honestly say that it doesn't get easier accepting one has to take drugs like MTX, however please know that it will help you very much (after a few months), is the no1 med used for RA nowadays and very well and closely monitored.

All this assured me and I had two very good years on mtx, some are on it for decades with no problem.

Love,

Amanda

Thankyou everyone that is really helpful, i really appreciate all your comments and advice :) xxx

Hi Jenni- and a big welcome fom me too.

I'm 52 and had RA for 2 years- had ups and downs but generally not too bad. It all started with pain in one of my fingers- came on suddenly and I can still remember where I was at the time (weird!) It gradually spread to wrist, elbows, shoulder then knees over about 4 months.I'm on Sulfasalzine which has been fine for 18 months - seems to be losing its effect a bit and doc told me I might have to go on Methotrexate if I get any worse. I also take diclofenac as needed, which helps a lot and paracetamol for pain relief. I went through a phase of bad fatigue but this has improved since taking folic acid.

I'll be honest and say that I've struggled at times I still can't get used to having to pace myself and take things easier.
Before I was dignosed I could hardly walk or dress myself/ do hair/ makeup/ have a bath and at one point I thought I'd never be able to do anything again. Gradually, things came back and I'm almost back to my old self for most of the time. I'm getting used to the pain and try to accept it as part of my life.

Frequent blood tests are the norm at first.-I now have them every 3 months, and see the consutant every 6.

This forum is great- so much advice, support, good fun and a big shoulder to cry on when needed. It's great to share with someone who understands.

Take care- and look after yourself!
Maria x