Newbie here. Is this MTX or coincidence?

Hi all. After 18 years of suffering terrible joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and pain, I have finally seen a rheumatologist willing to try something other than antidepressants and a fibro diagnosis (I stopped trying about 10 years ago after being so frustrated with no help whatsoever). Although I am RF negative, the rheumy believes it is seronegative RA because of my earlier response to steroids (which help tremendously but I am not on currently).

He started me on methotrexate 5 days ago. The first 2-3 days were so unbelievably terrible with side effects of mouth sores going into my throat, bloating and stomach pain, issues with concentration and memory, and extreme fatigue that I almost just gave up immediately. I can't imagine feeling this much worse than I already do every week. BUT, the last 3 days I have experienced nearly no morning stiffness or joint pain at all (except still having severe pain in my mid-spine which I believe is due to something other than RA). I have taken daily NSAIDs for years (Mobic) with almost no effect on my joint pain and I am still taking them. He also added tramadol 50 mg for pain but it does absolutely nothing. I tried taking 2 for pain and all it does is cause a massive headache that takes 2 days to get rid of (this has happened in the past with me with tramadol too...just not effective for me at all).

Anyway, I know that you aren't supposed to start seeing any real improvement from the MTX for a couple of weeks but this is such a distinct difference--my joints haven't been this good in 20 years. No redness, swelling, pain, or stiffness. It is nearly completely gone. I'm just wondering if it is even possible that this is due to the MTX (which would sure help me tolerate these horrendous side effects). Yesterday was the first day I felt almost back to normal and today I feel great. I'm also considering asking for the injectible MTX instead of the oral to see if it helps with side effects. I've done injectibles with fertility meds in the past without trouble. Any thoughts? Is this just a crazy coincidence?

Thanks!

Thanks for your warm welcome, Barrylink! :) It's nice to have a place to turn!

Otrexup is a new auto injectible mtx, if your insurance will cover it. Mail order pharmacy has a better price on Otrexup...also you can ask for folic acid supplements (prescription grade) which should help with side effects..
I liked the injectible, but insurace wouldn't cover Otrexup for me,..

I tend to drop things and filling syrings was hard for me, we switched insurances in January, but have not tried to get back on mtx yet...

Hope this info helps, you can google: Otrexup
Many well wishes...

Welcome aboard! MTX for me took months to work and I didn't notice any real changes for 3 months at least but everyone is different. I took Enbril for years and literally days after the first injection I went from barely being able to get out of bed to the best I had felt in 3 years. It was like a veil was lifted from me it was so dramatic. Just like the commercials actually.

I hope that you continue to have success with it. If you have any issues with your stomach on the pills you can always request the injectible. Its been far better for me than the pills which really upset my stomach. As others have said as well Folic acid will help with the fatigue it can cause. Just make sure to ask for it as an actual RX. Folic acid is not regulated when it is not an RX and can have little to no actual affect with over the counter forms.

Take care!