Drugs drugs --- very ecstatic

[Guest guest]

Hello all!

I just wanted to post about my recent success!

I started taking 20 mg of methotrexate with Humira shots.

For the first 5 weeks, nothing much, just a lot of nausea and weakness from

the methotrexate.

Then, weeks 6-7 my chest pain subsided and my feet and spine. I am now in

week 10, and I have only about

10% of the pain I had 3 months ago. It is like a miracle.

I had tried almost everything before, and nothing would work except

occassional high doses of steroids, when my

Costochondritis would end up going into pleurisy and the ER would give me a

drip, followed by a dose-pack.

The nausea and fatigue has been a little hard adjust to with the

methotrexate, but I switched to doing an injection

This week (which was painless and easy), and I had very little nausea and a

lot less fatigue.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE INJECTION OVER THE PILLS- it is so much kinder to

your digestive system! The nurse also told me that the

Methotrexate tends to work a lot better in injection form than the pills,

and sometimes people who have tried the pills with no success, have a lot of

success with the injection.

My only concern is some pain and pressure in my liver area. I hope that

this gets better with time.

I knew that the first 6 months would be an adjustment time to the drugs, but

I am willing to stick it out, with the hope that we can back down the

methotrexate a little.

I JUST WANTED TO POST THIS, BECAUSE I WISH WE HAD BEEN MORE AGGRESSIVE YEARS

AGO BY USING THESE DRUGS.

I could have all those years back. DON¹T BE AFRAID OF THESE DRUGS ­ THEY

ARE LIKE A MIRACLE IF THEY WORK FOR YOU.

I also had to switch to a rheumatologist who wasn¹t afraid to use them

either. If I had not, I would have ended up in a wheelchair within 2 years.

The risks that these drugs carry, were minor considering where my head was

sometimes when I was in a great deal of pain, with doctors telling me there

was nothing they could do.

So ­ for those newly diagnosed, or those who have not tried Methotrexate

with Humira ­ you might talk to your doctor. I was truly at the end of my

rope before!

Blessings -- Kristy

[Guest guest]

Kristy,

Great news. I hope it continues for you.  Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Kristy,

A great success story! It's a scary disease with scary treatments and

implications. I completely understand why so many folks wait so long and endure

so much before being willing to use these drugs. I too was very worried and

scared, but quickly became willing to try ANYTHING to end the pain. Luckily for

me a low dose of MTX (12.5mg per week) seems to be my antidote. I can't guess

what my future will bring, but I hope that I won't let my body and health get

out of control again before I am willing to try more options.

Wishing You continued success,

Stay Well,