Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Uggghhhh.....So I took my first dose of Methotrexate on Saturday night. About an hour later I started to feel a little nauseous, but nothing I couldn't handle. After a little while longer, I was EXHAUSTED. I could barely keep my eyes open (glad I took it in the evening!) Anyhow, I went to bed. The next day (yesterday) I still felt nauseous and my body ached as if I had the flu. Now I have read up a lot on RA and I was relieved to read that it usually spares the lower back and you don't usually experience any back pain. However, now my back hurts sooooo bad, I can barely walk. I don't know if that is a usual side effect from the methotrxate or not. Please let me know. Also, now my wrist is hurting worse than before I started the prednisone. It is killing me to type this. I knew there would be side effects, but I didn't think it would be more pain. Sorry for not having a more happy post to start the day with, but I am just upset ;( Thanks for listening.....

~N

Niknac, unfortunately sometimes that happens with a new med. Your body needs to adjust to it first. It's not an overnight miracle, as we'd all hope for. Some of us do have lower back issues, myself included. I usually get pain the day or two after taking it (including horrible headaches..hurts to touch scalp even), and as a matter of fact Im home from work today because everything is hurting. I find that by the third day usually Im feeling better. Obviously I don't speak for everyone, but they'll let you know their experiences too.

You'll also find that weather changes and certain foods will trigger more pain for you. Some people keep a food diary. Just remember to drink PLENTY of fluids so your body can metabolize it faster.

I was upset too, and more than ready to stop taking it. When I learned from others on here that it takes some time for it to really have an effect on you, I felt a little better. As if I wasn't so alone. The doctors try to let you believe that it will be an overnight recovery so that you take the drug, but thats not the reality of it.

If your nausea is too bad you can ask for a prescription of Phenergan, or get Emetrol and over the counter anti nausea medication. Or good old ginger..

Im sorry you're having side effects, but I have a feeling it will get better with each successive dose that you take.

Hang in there... we're all here for you *****HUGS*****

Thanks for the info. I am trying to stick it through here at work. It's tough, I just have no time for rest. I worka 5:30am-2pm shift and then have to get the kids from school and get to the soccer fields. I would soooooo love to just take a day off and rest, but my job is really strict and I haven't told management about anything yet. I don't want to, ya know? It's all still sooooo new. I wasn't expecting the pain to come back so strongly in my wrist though. I knew I would probably feel nauseous and tired, I just didn't think the inital pain would come back too!

Do you or anyone know about how to protect your joints? I guess what I am trying to say is, for me, my joint pain is constantly in my wrists and fingers. Then of course sometimes my knee, ankle, shoulder, etc. But always my wrists and it jumps from one finger to the other and sometimes more than one finger. My concern is overusing the joints. Are there certain things I should not be doing that I might not know about? I would hate to find out later on down the line that scrubbing the tiles in the bathroom or gardening outside made my situation worse.

~N

You could also ask to switch to the injection now and maybe skip alot of or severity of the side effects that the pills have.

My first try on it I thought was just as bad as the dang RA. Never did get used to it. I am much better with the shots.

NikNac, a lot of people use wrist splints, like the carpal tunnel kind. You can buy them at any pharmacy. They give great support. My suggestion (not that Im a dr by any means !) would be that if you're feeling tremendous pain, then your body is telling you to rest the joints. Or at least drop your activity to a manageable level. Don't overdo.

I also like the ActivOn severe arthritis stick. Its not really stinky like BenGay, and it seems to help. I notice when my hands get cold ( ie in air conditioning in an office) they hurt worse, so I bought these arthritis gloves by isotoner. They have a portion of the fingers cut out of them, but they provide compression and added warmth to help them feel better.

Hope that helps a little, and I hope as the day goes on you'll start feeling some relief.

karen

Thanks again for the tips. I am going to stop by the pharmacy today and look for a splint.

I go see my rheumatologist in about 2 weeks. If the pills make me feel any worse, I will talk to him about injections. Is there a huge price difference between the two though?

~N

Ive never tried the shots, so I dont know if there's a price difference. If you're getting the pills covered through insurance, then its possible you'll have the shots through them too. Does your insurance co have a website or a number you can call to find out, as an inquiry? They could tell you if they'll be covered.

Nicnac, the liquid is the same price as the pills for a month and the needles - I paid $6 for 100 of them. Also, your rheumy would probably write a script for splints if you call and ask. Also is cheaper with insurance then buying them at pharamcy. I paid $21 for both at med supply store with script and they fit you for them.

Yay! I went to buy a wrist splint last night. Feels so much better. Thanks for all the suggestions. My back is no longer aching and the headache is gone. So it looks like the MTX gave me a headache for a little over 2 days, nausea for the first day and lower back aches on second day. I'm glad I am past that (for now)

Nic, Im glad you're feeling better. It usually is just a day or two, and eventually it will probably even go away for you. So happy you got the splint, and that it seems to be helping. Sometimes it's the little things that we do that make the biggest differences in how we feel. Glad you're feeling better *****HUGS*****