Guest guest Posted April 6, 2006 Report Share Posted April 6, 2006 Hi Smita: Welcome to the group - this is a great place for information, as well for sharing with caring and supportive people. We truly know and understand what you are going through. Yes, the RA itself does have a fatigue component, and it can get very bad, especially when you are in a flare, or exacerbation of symptoms. I was on Plaquenil for 2-1/2 years when I was first diagnosed 8 years ago, and did really well with it, but it gradually began to not work, and I was switched other meds, and finally to Mtx. I have been on Mtx now for about 4-5 years, and it has helped. Yes, it could increase your fatigue, but usually for me that only happens in the first day or so after my Mtx dose, then I am just back to the " usual " fatigue. It must be very hard to take care of young children, and deal with RA. My kids were 14 and 11 when I was diagnosed, so pretty much able to take care of themselves if need be when I was in more pain. My husband is also very supportive, but it did take some reading of information on RA (I emailed him as it was easier than just talking and talking to him - his eyes would glaze over lol) for him to really get it. The first few months/years are absolutely the most important time to really get started on aggressive RA treatment, so yeah! to your doctor for doing so. My grandma had RA and back then they would wait for her to be in pain, then give her medication, and then stop when she felt better, and she was quite crippled by it. But the chances of this sort of thing happening to me, I hope, are made much less by the fact that my doctors have always treated aggressively. Just remember also, with the Mtx to take Folic Acid, very important, and get blood work every 8 weeks to check for any increase in liver enzymes. This has never happened in my years on Mtx. Also, I take additionally another supplment called Milk Thistle which further protects the liver. Anyway, hope this helps - there is life after RA, with the right medications and treatment. Hang in there - Kathe in CA > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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