New here & started MTX

March 8, 2008

I have been a lurker for quite some time..... I am a 45 year old female

with a fairly new diagnosis of RA.... (October 2007). I also have

bilateral leg Lymphedema (primary), thyroid condition, Graves Disease

and Fibromyalgia.

At the same time I was diagnosed with RA, I was diagnosed with AGHD

(Adult Growth Hormone Deficiency) and in February 2008, diagnosed with

Adrenal Dysfunction.

Yes, I still continue to work, though it is difficult..... I have cut

down to part-time now and wonder how long I can even manage this.....

I didn't start any treatment for my RA when diagnosed as I had just

started the daily injections for my AGHD. One of the side-effects of

the medication for that causes joints aches and swelling. Didn't want

to start MTX and this med at the same time as it would be difficult to

know which med was responsible for which side-effect, if any.....

I started my MTX injections last week - 2 shots so far.... (I already do

daily injections for the AGHD and I do my own weekly allergy injections,

so just figured I'd avoid the stomach troubles from MTX pills - AND I'm

allergic to corn which they use in the pills as part of the

filler/binders).

My first shot was okay.... as for my 2nd shot this past Wednesday, I

woke up Thursday morning with a headache and it is now Saturday - still

have this headache. I have been taking Tylenol Extra Strength for it

fairly regularly, but it just won't abate.

Is this typical of MTX?????

I should also mention that my RA is hereditary in our family.... my

Mother is fairly crippled with it as she went many long years with NO

treatment due to no money to pay for medications. Only recently since

moving to Ontario, Canada has she been on different biologics.... She's

been on Prednisone 5mg daily and Arava 20mg daily for 3-4 years, but

this past 10-11 months, has tried Enbrel with no improvement... Now on

Humira for 6 weeks and still not much happening.....

My Mother's sister has RA and my Mother's Aunt have RA.....

I wonder what the chances either of my 2 sons (or 4 grandchildren) will

have..... Myself and my 2 sons father both have RA..... with the

hereditary factor on my side, it really makes me wonder.....

Thanks for listening :-)

JP

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