New-advice on meds?

[meldot]

Hi there-
Was diagnosed in April-stiff hands, increasing pain and stiffness in elbow- and was put on Naprosyn for inflamation, then switched to Nabumetone (sp?) b/c my stomach couldn't deal. At last visit, it was discovered that stiffness and pain was getting worse and was put on Methotrexate. Have been on it for 4 weeks and am having weird side effects (i think they're side effects...) dry mouth, massive headaches, today I'm all spacy (took a dose last night) Also-pain has not gotten better-in fact I discovered last week that I can't lift weights as it hurts to wrap hands around weights or bars on a machine.

Am seeing doc on Monday-she mentioned Enbrel may be the next step. Do I stick it out with Methotrexate a little longer or switch?

Thanks!

[easydoesit]

I wish I could help, but I have no experience with methotrexate.

I can completely relate to not being able to grip the weights though, that is a major frustration for me. I used to love lifting but my grip is so poor now I'm afraid I'm going to drop them on my feet.

[LoriASoCal]

It can take as much as 6 to 8 weeks for the methotrexate to begin to have an effect. Your side effects sound pretty normal. Many people say their side effects improve with time. I've been on it a long time and find that I'm still tired after taking it for a day or two and sometimes I feel some flu like symptoms. As far as how long to stick it out you should be the one to decide that even above your doctor. If they benefits don't start showing for you soon I'd consider adding a biologic. Good Luck and glad you found us.

[RichJ]

hi meldot,
sorry i can't help much but welcome to the p family. you have meet some of the wounderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

have a good weekend all

richard

[1WeekAtATime]

I have only taken Enbrel for a short period of time, but it was just amazing. If you get into the groove of the schedule, injecting won't be so hard. The effects were wonderful when I took it. My P didn't clear up (I didn't have much time because I had rare injection site reactions, which aren't painful, just annoying and make you have to quit sometimes), but my joints felt amazing- like floating on air. Also, I mean, have you looked at the warnings for methotrexate? I am way too scared to ever try it because it seems so awful. Enbrel is safer, by far, to me. Good luck!

[1WeekAtATime]

By the way, did Naproxen not work for you? I wish I could just take that, but I had an allergic reaction.

[meldot]

yeah, methotrexate also freaks me out-especially the whole birth defects thing.
Naproxen bothered my stomach, which is why I switched....