Re: Is my MTX really working?

[Guest guest]

I started MTX in early December and experienced a marked improvement

on 6 pills until February when I first hit a plateau and then seemed

to be going backwards in my RA symptoms (even after it was upped to

8). I couldn't take prednisone either.

It seems that for some people MTX (and most of the RA drugs) will

lose efficacy. Everyone is different. You might have to try another

drug or perhaps another in combo with the MTX? Ask your rheumy.

Kim

>

> I an 40 and was diagnosed with RA back in early September 07. I am

> currently up to 7 MTX per week, 2 folics on that day and the day

> after followed by 1 per day, and 1 plaquenil every day. My RA is in

> my hands/wrists/feet/ankles.

>

> I started out really well on all this and until a one and one half

> month ago I was feeling really well. My knuckles started aching all

> day and before I knew it my hands/wrists were back to almost as

much

> pain as I had before I went to the rheumatologist. I had a checkup

> and was on 6 MTX at the time but he bumped it up to the level of 7.

>

> Is my MTX not working like it is supposed to? I thought that my

hands

> would ache a bit but not like this again. My doc told me that after

> my medication kicked in that I wouldn't have to take NSAIDs much,

if

> at all. I am now taking them and they aren't helping. I can't take

> Prednisone- I'm one of the few that Pred mixed with MTX/Plaquenil

> makes me severely sick.

>

> Sorry if I am venting my questions...it's been a long walk to find

> this group. I'm just now trying to educate myself about RA and how

it

> is affecting me.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Kim. It is " nice " to know that I'm not the only one who can't

take prednisone. I've been painting in preparation for new

carpet...literally tomorrow...and I know that I've aggravated my hands

and made them hurt worse but I refuse to give in to this. I have two

more weeks till my next appt with my Doc and I'll certainly be

discussing this issue with him. He really listens and answers my

questions in laymans english. I have this MTX situation at the top of

my question list already. Thanks! I hope you had a great day!

>

> I started MTX in early December and experienced a marked improvement

> on 6 pills until February when I first hit a plateau and then seemed

> to be going backwards in my RA symptoms (even after it was upped to

> 8). I couldn't take prednisone either.

>

> It seems that for some people MTX (and most of the RA drugs) will

> lose efficacy. Everyone is different. You might have to try another

> drug or perhaps another in combo with the MTX? Ask your rheumy.

>

> Kim

>