hi, I'm new to this forum

If you want a natural supplement for joints you can try gelatin capsules. I'm allergic to shellfish so I can't take glucosimene and my PT told me that the gelatin can help build up the cartilidge loss.

Hi Traci,
That's nuts!!!! I was nervous when given that percription in person! Did they tell you what a powerful drug it is? I start methotrexate Thursday and already have a followup in 8 weeks scheduled. Good thinking on your part to see another rheumy sooner.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you feel after taking the mtx?
The side effects are scary aren't they? Have you had any vomiting or hair loss?

Hi Traci, make sure you drink lots of water while on mtx, are you getting bood tests taken? I know they're suppose to monitor you closely when you start it.

Worries me that they are not supervising you properly.

Meanwhile take fish oil as well. It's suppose to be a natural anti inflammatory and my rheumy swears by it. I also take something called osteoappetite which has chondralton, glucosimine, boron, calcium all good bone/joint helpful supplements. I came off it for a while and noticed the difference so it must be doing something useful!

Hopefully the RA diagnosis is wrong but we're here for support whatever the results are for you. These auto immune diseases often have cross over symptoms, not nice at all.

Best wishes, golitho

I have to agree that it is concerning that you are not being monitored well. When I started the mtx, the first followup appointment was in two weeks, then two weeks later, then it went to three weeks for a couple appointments, then four, then six. That was 10 months ago and I am still at every six to eight weeks. In the beginning, the blood work was ordered twice in the first month. Now it is every other month. If you read in detail about RA or AS, it is hard to believe that it can be diagnosed with one elevated workup. Also, folic acid should be started at the same time as MTX. I would definately get a second opinion and more details.

Thank yall for the info on the natural supplements. I am definately wanting to lean more in that direction than I have before.

As for the MTX side effects, when I started it I was on such a low does that I didnt notice many side effects, aside for fatigue. I am now on 25mg once a week and I experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, hair loss (more thinning than loss bc I imagine loss as in clumps or similar to cancer patients), dark circles under eyes, sunlight sensitivity (I can burn badly in 30 minutes: spf 65+ with zinc, aka coppertone for kids, works great), alcohol sensitivity (cheap date syndrome according to my husband), and last but definately not least....horrible forgetfulness and memory issues.

Does anyone else on here have AS? I do and I have looked for blogs and support groups, but I cant find anything. I really just want someone to relate to. I am 28 and married. My husband is amazing. But none of my friends get it. I wouldnt want them to anyway, because you dont get it unless you live it. The closest person I know that I can relate to is my grandmother and while this has brought us closer, I would like to talk to someone closer to my age who can relate to how it feels to be so darn young and feel so darn old.

Thanks for your posts.

JFG: I'm sorry you're experiencing such problems at such a young age. It must impact you and your children greatly. Read the literature and talk with your doctor. Glucosamine Chondroitin has had good reviews for use with osteoarthritis.

weary: thank you for posting. I understand your concerns and it is solid advice to consult with your doc re: any supplements. Luckily, my pmd is excellent and she knows the meds and supplements I'm taking. However, doctors are not generally trained in this way and many have bad attitudes about supplements. My GI nixed the curcumin saying it is bad for my gi tract, but there's an entire body of valid research literature that is counter to her opinion. I've tried it and it is extremely helpful to me. I can now sleep through the night and walk up and down stairs. I'd much rather take curcumin for pain than nsaids, which cause intestinal bleeding and my gi says I can't take, so then what options are left?

Luckily, my new rheumy is very cooperative. I asked her about natural products to postpone degeneration and she said there are none validated and no one will do the trials b/c there's no $ in it. Remember that pharmaceuticals are big $ business and they often publish positive but not negative results. I worked in psychiatric research for 6 years and now in a mental health clinic. Don't fool yourself. Pharmaceuticals are over-prescribed and have many side effects.

Here's a link from NIH containing a pdf about supplements:
ods.od.nih.gov/pubs/DS_WhatYouNeedToKnow.pdf

I apologize if you perceive this as a rant. My prejudice is from my clinical work with people taking psychiatric meds, as I don't know much about RA meds, yet.

Anyway, per my new rheumy, my dx is d/t a blood test that is specific to RA. Apparently 90% who test high as I did on this test have a seriously debilitaing form of RA. Luckily, mine is mild at this time and there is no joint damage yet. My new rheumy is wonderful and she spent time explaining the dx and options. She decided to rx an immunomodulator called hydoxychloroquine 200 mg bid instead of the mtx. Less side effects and not as many bad se's as the mtx, but also not as powerful. She said that we can always rx more powerful stuff if/when sx get worse. We're just trying to prevent damage from occurring.

I hope everyone is doing well. Best Regards!