Living with RA

Mommysangel07196

Regular Member

Joined : Jun 2006

Posts : 30

Posted 6/9/2006 1:52 AM (GMT 0)

Hi! My name is Andrea and I am new to this site. I am 39 years old and was diognosed with RA last year. I am currently on Methotrexate 2.5. However I take 4 tabs every week (10 mg total). I also take Folic Acid 1 mg a day. I recently went back to the work force in March. I am a security guard. When I first started on the Methotrexate it was helping me. I wasn't stiff, my pain was under control and i felt better. Now that i have been on it for awile, I have noticed by Monday morning I am so stiff i can hardly get out of bed. By Tue- Wed the pain starts and by Thur I am so tired and miserable it's unbearable. I try to keep up with the housework as best as I can but towards the end of the week I cant really do much. I only work 4 days a week and I have off on Thur. I am glad I have that scedual because Thursdays are my worst days. Thankfully i have a husband who is very supportive. Sometimes when we talk about it he starts to cry. I try and tell him that it's going to be ok but I don't think it helps. I am getting medical insurance hopefully within the next month through my husbands job. I can't wait because that will give me more options as far as medications and I can finally see a Rheumy. Well enough about me. Take Care everyone and I am glad i found this site.

Andrea

CaMama

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 1915

Posted 6/9/2006 3:28 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Andrea, what day do you take the methotrexate? It sometimes really wipes people out, and I would suggest maybe taking it on your day off ?

Also, for fatigue, try taking more folic acid than just 1 a day. You might want to try adding a B complex vitamin in your supplements as well (I think that includes folic acid) - when I was on mthx, I was sofatiuted my PCP had me taking 4-5 folic acids a day, then I'd take a B complex (with folic acid) at night.

Definitely go get a check up and discuss w/your doctor. Going back to work can take a LOT out of an arthritis patient....it takes so little to make us fatigued and over worked. Methotrexate can compound that effect.

It's good that your husband cares so much - but I'm sorry he's having such a hard time with it. Talk to him and your doctor about things that can help you - getting housekeeping help, splitting the chores differently, better shoes w/insoles to help support your body at work....

Take care.Good luck.**

curley

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 4305

Posted 6/9/2006 2:17 PM (GMT 0)

Welcome Andrea,we are glade to have you.CaMama gave you some good info and she is right.

I would like to add that all thoe I'm no longer on methotrexate,I do remember telling my old Rheumy that I would not take the pill form because I watched my dad take the pill form and it would make him so tired and sick for a couple of day's.My Dad's Rheumy put him on the shot form of methotrexate and he has done well he no longer get's sick like he use to.Now I have never taken the pill form either I started off with the shot form I was showed how to give my self a shot and and I had no problem with it making me sick.I would like to say thoe that even the shot form will make you tired.I still take Folic-acid 1mg aday and when I was taking Methotrexate I was taking B-12 shot's as well every other week.It sound's like you have a very understanding hubby that count's for alot.I would like to say as well that one your insurance comes inafect there are other options like Remicade,Humira (I'm on this one now)Enbrel.I wish you well and hope that you keep posting with us.

yalinda

Veteran Member

Joined : May 2006

Posts : 1179

Posted 6/13/2006 12:24 PM (GMT 0)

hi andrea, i too take mtx.... every saturday morning....no later than 8am and i usually have fatigue and a little motion sickness mid- day (11-2pm ish) and then sundays are usually tired days, but i can push myself to keep on going sometimes?..... i hope u r taking it on the weekends if that is ur days off from work.... there is no way i could take it on a work day! i also take the folic acid (camama, i might need to take more!, thanks) and the fasomax one for the mtx the other because of the prednisone i am still on, and hope to discontinue before i grown much larger! gained 18 pounds in 3 months ugh!!!!!!!!!!! good luck with the meds and going back to work, maybe ur doctor can have further insight into the problems u r having with working while taking the drug? ~*yalinda

Ducky

Veteran Member

Joined : Mar 2005

Posts : 3199

Posted 6/13/2006 1:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hey there Andrea!

Welcome to Healing Well! Sorry I am late in welcoming you to the site, but I see some of our other wonderful members have already made you feel at home!

I am not on Methotrexate (yet) but I am on Enbrel. I'm sorry you are having a hard time. Hopefully soon you will be able to see a rheumy and you may bet started on one of the biologics. I tell you, they have been a godsend for me. Last week my refill was late in getting to me, and I really felt the effects of that... it was awful.

I'm glad you have such a supportive husband.. my hubby is good too... we've all said it before, I think the hardest things for our spouses is the fact that they feel so helpless with this disease 'cause they can't make us feel better... CaMama is right, have your hubby go to the appointments with you, that way if he has any questions, he can ask them, and it will help him to understand and deal with the issues better.

Hang in there Andrea, if you ever need to vent, we are always here... take care and rest easy!

Duck

roza

New Member

Joined : Mar 2006

Posts : 15

Posted 6/13/2006 1:05 PM (GMT 0)

hi andrea!

I have ra and i'm taking methotrexate, folic acid & prednisone(steroids). The methotexate is a slow acting drug that should be taken on schedule & not to be forgotten. camama is right on the folic acid & b-complex. the steroids has the instant effect but should be prescribed by rheumy. i'm taking arcoxia for pain.

please see your doctor regularly as soon you get to avail the medical health plan because we should be monitored by our rheumy monthly. also, i highly recommend stretching exercises at home if you can't go see a physical therapist. remember that your joints may be fused if you don't move it. start w/ hot compress before the exercises.

i continue to find relief & alternative medications. i must say that accupuncture for the past weeks has helped me a lot. maybe, it would nice to study ra on your spare tme to better understand what it is & what we can do.

i have always thanked God for the blessings, a loving husband like yours, a supportive family & group like healing well & for the faith & hope that we will be healed in God's good time

take care & God Bless

roza

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