(No Subject)

I finally went to the rheumatologist appt. and was diagnosed with RA. He thinks I may have sjogrens also. I also have Fibomyalgia for the last 20 years in which he thinks is secondary to the Ra, although never properly diagnosed. He thinks I've had it for a long time just my looking at my hands. I'm now 57 years old. He wants me to start with the Methotrexate injections but I'm very nervous about all the side effects including possible Lymphoma. I am starting with the Plaquenil 200 mgs 2 X day for three months to see how that will work before starting the  Methotrexate injections.  If anyone has any advise I would greatly appreciate it because this is all new to me. I don't have insurance which makes all of this more difficult to digest.

 

Hi and Welcome to the forum,
I agree with Chartreux, I have not used MTX, I am on Enbrel for my RA I never let it bother me about side effects because it helps my RA.

Yes, Methotrexate can cause eye damage, for now I'm under observations as I was just dx with macular degeneration and they are trying to figure if it was the mtx or RA causing it and I've been off the mtx for 2 weeks now and feeling it big time, RA doctor today gave me a steroid injection as my swelling is back and so very bad, I really hurt everywhere and plan to make it an early night tonight if possible.
So get in to your doctor, plaquenil can cause a lot more damage to the eyes than the mtx, but it's good you got your exam scheduled make sure they do take pictures...so if you start getting damage that it won't get too bad, for me I have some blurry vision and the computers picked up on the MD before the doctors could see it, always a plus and you can add omega-3 into your diet to help your eye's, I use Lovaza a prescription omega-3...Many many well wishes, and I hope nothing happens to your eyes, RA can also effect the eye's...not just the medications...I would say to try these medications after your eye exam and get into your doctor if you notice anything weird about your eye's...

Look for a local support group in your area, google RA and go thru the national RA website, there are a lot of annual walks and runs for RA and I might try the jingle bell fun run, but I probably won't do good at it, but it neats staying at home somtimes, many well wishes and a lot of us sure feel like we are alone, but now you got us, hope you'll be a regular on here...