Diagnosed with RA this week... start Methotrexate today?

[TheSpottedZebra]

And I'm really nervous!

Please give me all your words of advice, or even your honest experiences!

You might find your hand function improves when the MXT starts working and the bad flairs stop.
My hand movement was very restricted for over a year and I couldn't form a fist or grip anything as it took a long time to get the inflammation under control. It was impossible to move my right thumb for months. Now I've got normal thumb movement and can almost form a fist. The hand muscles are wasted and need building up and physio is helping.

So, 9 weeks on and here I am, summoning up the courage to do my 1st methotrexate injection!

The gastric symptoms were just too much.
But it does seem to be working so I chose to jab and not reduce the dosage.

Jab DONE.
Yay me!

Whoah my exciting Saturday nights!

Well done, I hope you have no side effects and get a good night's sleep.

Can I join this thread please. I was diagnosed with inflammatory olio arthritis a few months back . At the appointment as well as a blood test the dr drained both knees and gave me steroid injections. I had suffered with pain and loss of movement in the joint for over a year. The consultant also recommended Methotrexate but I have declined for now. I just wondered if there are any other alternatives you have found help such as an anti inflammatory diet or trying to cut more stress out of your life. Since the appointment I thought there was something wrong with a tooth but the dentist thought that was to do with my jaw as it is worse in the night and in the morning!

My mum has had methotrexate for years and developed RA in her 50s. She is now 89 and still takes it with regular blood tests. She is still mobile, drives etc but during flare ups she has painful joints which sometimes need steroids. Hopefully the medication will help you.

Hi Kerstina, I've only been taking it for 2 months but it has made a world of difference to my symptoms (or they've coincidentally reduced at the exact same time!).

I've not really done anything different. I already follow a pretty healthy diet and don't smoke or drink so not much to change really, unless I go radical and cut out nightshades/gluten/dairy.

I'm still feeling quite a lot of stress but it's from outside issues and I wish I could cut it out but it's impossible.

This thread it's literally all ME ME ME
I think I might start a general inflammatory arthritis/autoimmune chat thread so it seems more welcoming.

Why yes, I do have exciting Saturday nights...

Here is a new thread for anyone who wants to come and chat or ask for support:

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/autoimmune_disease/5211273-inflammatory-arthritis-any-ai-chat-thread?reply=139865629

I started 20mg a week, tonight. Still not seeing much impact, but then i guess I've only had 8wks on 10mg, 4wks on 15mg and now a new dose tonight.