Newbie

I have been prescribed Methotrexate by my GP for my Rheumatiod Arthritis. This is the first time I've ever taken any medications for my RA. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis when I was 10, (25 years ago), but it was really mild, and continued to be really mild up until about six months ago. I also resisted any treatment when I was younger. At any rate, I'm new to this, have my first appointment with a rheumatologist December 21, but my GP wanted to start the methotrexate now, since I already have some joint twisting in my fingers. I hate to admit it, but I'm scared of starting this process, my paternal grandmother had RA and I watched her suffer horribly with the pain, joint replacement surgeries, and then her death from complications from Crohn's. Everyone in my family is frustrated because I am taking my sweet time in starting the methotrexate, but I am terrified. Can any of you share your experiences to perhaps alleviate my anxiety?

"Spreads like a crack in the windshield" - wow, what a great analogy.

Let's see - you're scared you'll end up like your grandparent.....and here you're being offered the drug that should prevent that.

Shouldn't be a question.

What exactly is your issue with MTX? I've been on it for 25 years and thank goodness for that.

If you had cancer you'd dive into chemo, right? So RA is another serious disease......so dive into the MTX. Aggressive treatment is the current thinking. You want to prevent permanent, irreversible damage.

I guess my problem is that after my grandma started taking treatments like chemo and a few of the early biologics, she started catching every cold, flu, infection that came around. She was in the hospital quite literally every other week from some infection. I think I'm just scared in general, I have spent so many years trying to ignore the fact that I have RA, it wasn't hard, my episodes were few and far between. Now it seems to be trying to eat me alive. I also have a medication phobia, which I'm trying to work through, so no I would not be the person who "dove" into chemo even if I had cancer. I also am in terrible pain, which makes my mental state even nuttier,and can't seem to get my doctor to prescribe even simple Celebrex for me, he tells me to keep taking the OTC ibuprofen/Tylenol and "ride out the pain" until the methotrexate kicks in. Also what is this about folic acid? Does it help RA? Anyway, thank you for the responses, they made me feel a little less alone.

I am sorry you are hurting :( I understand your Doctor's point of view but I also took aspirin and ibuprofren due to RA and I now can't take any NSAID at all so please be careful and take it with meals because even the coated stuff will take it's toll on your stomach in time.

I understand your concern about the immune system weakening. I now get sinus infections on a regular basis and it takes me forever to get well from colds etc. I honestly don't know that this is a result of the treatment but may be a result of the disease advancing as we age. I don't know why but it seems like it worsens in attacking the body and lessens when it comes to fighting off infection. My aunt who also has RA suffers from this as well. It seems to get worse as we get older and is why I finally started getting my flu and pneumonia shots regularly.

Heat or cold can help with the pain. When I was younger ice packs really helped for me but now it is heat. So, a heating pad and blanket can help quite a bit or a bath with salts has also been a go to for me as well at night when it is at its worst.

I hope that you feel better. There are a bunch of us around who have decades of experience with this disease so make use of the forums anytime you have a question there will eventually be someone along who can answer it. We are all a bit nutty around here so you will fit right in :)

Take care, -Don

(((((Gentle hugs)))))))

I hate medication too, but I try to picture each pill I take is a bomb being fired in this war in my body.

I have not been diagnosed yet but am being treated for lupus/ra right now. I have just started Methotrexate last week. I know it is too soon to tell but I have been taking folic acid as well. My only side effect is being very tired. I have been told to take vitamin c or airborn as well since it does suppress your immune system. I know everyone's reaction is different. But if you are careful, wash your hands often and stay away from people you know are sick, you should be able to beat getting sick often. I hope you start to get relief soon.