Newbie - my MTX experience

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Hi, All ...

Have been following this group for a few weeks - Thought I would share my experience.

Was diagnosed with RA shortly before my 61th birthday two years ago. This was about six weeks after an extremely stressful period, which seems to be a triggering factor for this disease. I had been experiencing some joint pain for a while, but woke up one morning and was barely able to get out of bed, barely able to walk. This was due to overall weakness as well as joint pain.

All my symptoms pointed to RA - pain in feet, ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows hands and

equal to right and left. My primary did blood test and confirmed higg RA factor and referred me to rheumatoligist.

Rhuemy explained need for agressive treatment and started me immediately on Vioxx, Prednisone, MTX and folic acid. I started with 10 mg Prednisone daily, 20 mg MTX weekly as well as daily Vioxx and folic acid.

As symptoms improved, I slowly went off the Prednisone over a period of 8-10 months and after Vioxx scare, discontinued that. Condition improved continually to the point that I was basically symptom free most of the time.

I have noticed that if I do not get enough rest (I'm a nightowl and for many years have burned the candle at both ends) I will experience a flareup. I did a short time adding Arava during one of theses flares but after Vioxx whoopla, quit Vioxx and Arava and have been only on MTX and folic acid for over a year. I remain symtom free for the most part and continue life as normal except for more attention to adequate rest.

I experienced a flareup recently with pain in hands and slight feeling of "feverishness" - Rheumy had me take Celebrex - 2 tabs a day for 1 week, then 1 daily for a week - that seems to have done the trick. Occasionally I take Vicodon (500 acetophetomin- 5 hydrocodone) for pain usually several days before weather changes which seems to be the only time I am symptomatic.

Considering where I started - totally crippled, barely able to walk, lift my arms, button a button or open a jar - I feel extremely lucky to have had success with aggressive treatment from the start. I have only a slight "swan" deformity in several fingers of one hand - not enough to keep me from my favorite pastime - playing classical guitar.

I hope this account will give hope to those of you who are just starting on this uninvited quest. There is life after RA diagnosis and it can be normal and good. Good luck to you all.

Jack McGuire - Carlsbad CA

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