Life after methotrexate is much better!

I hear you. I was on methotrexate for quite a while and in the end, the side effects just got too awful and I switched to Enbrel (which worked wonders). Congratulations on feeling better!

I do want to encourage you to fill the prescription for Arava. With your RA flaring again, not taking medication means that you risk permanent damage to your joints which will decrease your ability levels and mobility. I understand that it's hard to get your nerve up after having had a bad experience with one medication - it's very difficult to face the possible side effects and the possibility of disappointment (and to hope can be terrifying). We all make our own decisions about what's right for us and right for our disease, so ultimately you have to figure this one out on your own. But please do consider not just the benefits of being medication free, but also the risks.

I am so glad to hear that you are better. I am on Arava. I had very little side effects. I did get diarreah that lasted a month but it has past. Arava alone did not work for me I have a difficult case according to my rehumy. So I am on Arava, and Enbrel. I have again had very little side effects as well.

When I went of MTX, I did not want to take any meds, my new rheumy convinced me that I needed to. He laid it on the table and made me see that i I don't take something I will have permanent damamge. Also, the sooner you take the Arava the sooner it will work, it can take several months to work.

I am so glad you feel better, I am so happy that you rheumy saw you can't live on MTX. Even if you don't want to take the Arava now, you should fill the script and let it sit on your counter until your ready.

BJ

Hi Amy, I was on methotrexate and prednisone, to begin with when I got diagnosed 2 years ago.  The prednisone made my face blow up, caused rashes on my face, & the injections I endured for 6 months, but they just made me too sick the following day.

I then went to Arava, which wasnt too bad, very few side effects but not combating the pain.. and I refused to go back to prednisone for the pain.. she then put me on SSZ which she said I would have to up the dose each week, & push through any symptoms, after a month of hell I rang her and in tears and said I could not cope with the nausea and headaches any longer. She told me to stop taking it immediately, the next day I was still sick & from then on I have been feeling really well.  But the pain is pretty bad in my hands, wrists & feet now.  The arava is not doing enough, I am taking voltaren for the pain, folic acid & nexium.. Counting down the days till I my next appointment, hoping she can figure something else out for me.

Very hard not to get depressed, people dont get it, as hard as they try. 

Try to stay positive! Thinking of you.

I agree my methotrexate rips my stomach apart and makes me very ill. I get so tired of taking meds that I went off of them in December but sadly the RA pain got to be too much. I hate every week I get soo ill from the meds, I get sick of taking meds. I hate pills and I hate being sick. I am happy to hear that you are doing good, hope it stays that way. 

I used Methotrexate several years ago, and it was simple debilitating!  One of the most awful drugs I've ever used.  I stopped on my own and told my Dr. to forget it.  I felt like I was just living a shell of an existence.  I'd rather feel RA pain anyday to the mind-numbing process of nothingness.  Believe me; you will be the better for it. 

I also was put on Methotrexate with the hope of being one of the many who are helped by it.  I have never been so sick in my life.  My RA pain was compounded by all the side effects and I just knew that this remedy would kill me sooner than it would help me.  I went back to chinese medicine.  Dr Ma told me that yes, they do have herbs that help with auto immune diseases without the harsh side effects.  I have been drinking his tea since June 2008.  My everday pain started decreasing by Nov 2008 and today I am basically pain free.  I am a touch stiff in the mornings, but nothing that would make me wish to stay in bed.  A year ago my feet were so swollen that I could barely walk.  My hands are still very weak and hurt if I use them, but it is a minor pain that goes away quickly.  I have flare ups still and take an Aleve for them, but it is only 2-4 times a month now.  Even though the crazy pain of RA is not with me everyday, I can still feel the disease is still active in me.  I exercise at least 3 days a week and do pilates instead of weights to stay strong.  You can email me if you like at motley92@hotmail.com, just put RA in the subject line so I know it's not just junk.  The chinese medicine has really given me my life back.