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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 11/13/2013 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody. 

I was diagnosed with RA in May of this year and started taking mtx (10mg weekly) about 4 weeks ago.  The only side effect I am noticing is that a couple of days after taking my weekly dose I am unable to sleep.  I have gotten about 6 hours of sleep over the last two nights.  Any thoughts? 

I am scheduled to see my Rheumy on December 3rd and will discuss this with her then, but just wanted to see if anyone else is experiencing the same issue.

Have a great day...... yeah

Posted 11/13/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bluesky13 and welcome aboard! I am not on mtx but I am taking prednizone and it too has this side effect. I take an over the counter sleep medication that helps me to get to sleep and stay there. It really helps and I have not seen any side effects or had any issues with pain medication in conjunction with it. I spoke with my Doctor and she approved using it to help with getting some rest.

In my experience almost all pharmas are a trade off in regards to RA. What I mean by that is that the side effects of the medication so long as they are not worse than the symptoms of RA for me can be lived with for the most part. It's certainly not ideal but the important thing is to stop the progression of the disease which can be very crippling and take years off our lives not to mention drastically affect quality of life for us and those around us. I have had RA for 20 years and until very recently the progression stopped and in some of my x-rays actually reversed. It runs in my family and my father was completely disabled by my age so I know that it has made a significant difference...

At any rate, I hope you are doing well and are pain free. If you are not pain free I hope you have a great day regardless of this disease and bring someone in your life love and happiness. -Don
Posted 11/14/2013 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning Don,

Thanks for your reply.  I saw my PCP yesterday for my diabetes and cholesterol check and asked him about the sleeplessness.  He checked the side effects for mtx and this is not one of them.  He suggested that I begin excercising daily and taking a hot shower before bed to relax my body.  I will begin walking on my treadmill this evening.  The plan is to walk at least 30 minutes a day.  My hubby is going to do the same.....he is such a great supporter of helping me get healthy. 

I will keep the forum updated on my progress.

Have a wonderful day....... tongue

Posted 11/17/2013 4:59 AM (GMT 0)
If what your pcp recommended doesn't work then maybe you could try some melatonin supplements, but start at 1 mg to see if that can help with sleep, Tart cherry juice can help with pain and help you sleep, but start only a 1/4 cup at dinner as too much can cause diarrhea...and it will make you sleepy.
Also you can ask about folic acid supplements to take as they can help counter the side effects of the mtx.

With RA it can be a battle trying to get into a workout routine and start slowly, I would advise you ask your RA doctor about light physical therapy to help on this so you can get workout to help the RA and not against it, some exercises are just not good to do. A phhysical therapy person can help you get started in doing the correct exercises for you, but do not go to any pt that says "NO pain, no gain" as that's not true.
I'm in Texas and wanted to say "Howdy"
Posted 11/18/2013 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Good morning Charteux,

Thanks for the information.  I had the same thought about what I should and should not do for an excercise routine.  I will begin with 30 minutes a day on my treadmill and go from there.  I will be seeing my rheumy on December 3rd and will discuss it further with her then.

Have a great day....... smurf

Posted 12/3/2013 12:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hello!
My Doctor did say that they might keep you up. Prednisone and methetroxate.
What about if you change the time that you take them? Would that help?
Proper rest, sleep etc. can be difficult especially with the demands of a job as well.
Posted 12/3/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply.  I have been sleeping alot more lately, probably more than I should be.  My right wrist, hand and arm to the elbow has been hurting for the last couple of days.  I hope to find out more this afternoon.  I'll post an update tomorrow.  Thanks to all for your input and concern.
Posted 12/4/2013 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
turn  Hello to all,

Well, I got a new and hopefully firm diagnosis yesterday from my Rheumatologist.  It's not RA, it is Psoriatic Arthritis.  Discontinued the mtx due to side effects of dizziness and fatigue and put me on Avara.  One 20 mg tablet daily.  Will see the doc again on January 7th, after xrays on my right hand, wrist and both knees.  If Avara is not working, may consider putting me on weekly Enbrel injection.  Glad to have a more firm diagnosis, that makes more sense with the symptoms I have been having. 

Hope you all have a great day....will keep you updated on my progress. smurf

Posted 12/4/2013 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Psoriatic Arthritis is still classified in the RA group, some of the same treatments. Hope everything with the mri's goes good for you, keep us posted on that. I'm glad you have a RA doctor working with you through this. Many well wishes....remember to take it easy with exercise at first and go slowly...
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