Finally a real diagnosis

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2005
Finally a real diagnosis
11
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 9:44am

Ok, after months of back and forth between my primary care doc and my rheumy, WE FINALLY GOT A DIAGNOSIS. For some reason my intitial blood tests for rhuematoid came back normal so we were pretty sure I was suffering from Psoriatic Arthritis. BUT...my rheumy after one visit said....lets do this one last test. Went back and it was positive for Rheumatoid.
I'm so happy to finally be able to put a name on this stupid thing. Scared to death, but relieved at the same time. We have been kind of going easy on the meds...just mild NSAIDS, but...after my visit on Tuesday the Rheumy and I decided together that I am just ready to move forward. I took my first dose of Methotrexate yesterday after doing my initial blood work and am looking forward to possibly getting better within the next few months. Yeah the side effects make me nervous, but the doc says...go slow, I am watching you like a hawk and if things go bad, we'll take you off and try another approach.

Any one have any fresh advice for a newbie on Methotrexate?? I appreciate all your help.
Ok off to take the kids to the Y...in this wonderful march snowstorm...anyone want to clean my car off for me???
Take care all.

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Avatar for beviej
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 1:08pm
((((duckn))))) You must live up here in the Norht East too. I am in NEOH and we have had snow all day so far.
My only advise with the MTX is drink plenty of water on the day you take it. If I am diligent about the water I`m pretty much Ok with it.I am back on the oral after several yrs of inj. because as you`ll learn there has been a shortage of the injectable.Your Dr. is rite. YOu`ll be getting regular blood work done so let him do the worrying. Most of us here have been on MTX a long time. For me it`s been at least 11 yrs.
The people here on this board are very supportive. I have said this so many times but will say it again, I don`t know what I would with them.Good luck to you.Bev
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Sat, 03-12-2005 - 7:34pm
Hi, glad you have a dx...I know that feeling of relief and of hope (finally someone is going to help!). I have PA and have been on mtx for 18 mths. What dose are you on? For the first few mths I was EXTREMELY sleepy after taking it, but not anymore. Be sure to take the folic acid...and if you start getting headaches, tell your dr. I had to lower my dose due to them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2005
Mon, 03-14-2005 - 5:17am
Oh yes I am up in the North East... New Hampshire actually. I normally love the winter but...this time around its just too much.
I have been around lurking here for awhile and I knew that I could get all the info and support I needed here. My doc had told me he may put me onto the Methotrexate when I went to see him last month and asked me to research it....but not to freak at the side effects or I would think he was crazy.So thats just what I did. The internet is such a wonderful tool.I told him about Ivillage and he was very intrigued. I wouldnt be surprised if he was around lurking...HI DR LYNCH.
Thanks again and I look forward to talking with you all.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-16-2005
Mon, 03-14-2005 - 5:22am
Hi, mich_0115. Sleepy is an understatement, lol. Maybe its just a coincidence, but thats all I did yesterday. I woke up late, then took a two hour nap in the afternoon, woke up at 5 and went to bed at 8 thinking I would never sleep, but I was asleep in minutes and slept till 6. I feel like I could have slept all day.
I am on a low dose of Mtx to start, 7.5 mg. Doc wants to monitor me close at first with the low dose and then work up to where we need to be.Which I guess must be the normal thing to do.I'm just glad to finally, maybe, possibly see some light at the end of the tunnel.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 03-14-2005 - 11:44am

Ducknsnow, welcome to the board.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Mon, 03-14-2005 - 11:49am
Hi again!

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 4:14am

What do you know about methotrexate and azothioprine (Imuran)? They seem to be used in a similar way. I guess I should ask my doc why he prescribed the Imuran instead of the Methx. I do have Crohn's so maybe it has something to do with that. I am reducing my prednisone which was 20mg and now is 15 and will be reduding it this week to 10mg. That stuff is really nasty, causing a raging hunger, bloating and weight gain (just what we all love so much). I have gained 10 pounds on it and it was a very fast gain. I have lost a couple pounds since my reducting in dosage but it is a strugge to keep even that off. My raging hunger is not so raging.


Just wondered what you know about these two, since they seem to be so similar. I will se my GI doc whom I adore, so I will ask him later this week too. But I like to be armed with information myself, ya know?


Donna
Donna
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 12:37pm

Hi Donna!

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-19-2003
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 4:14pm

Hey Duck,

No coincidence about being sleepy. I usually take it on a day that I don't have to do anything the next day. Usually Saturday night because Sundays are my at home days. I can be lazy and get housework done whenever.

Also, talk to your dr about folic acid if you aren't already taking it. It makes such a big difference in the side effects.

Glad you found us!

Smiles, Jen







iVillage Member
Registered: 08-21-2004
Tue, 03-15-2005 - 10:28pm
Oh, thanks! It was my GI doc who prescribed Imuran (azathiprine). But it works for both. I think it can be used with Remicade also.

Donna
Donna

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