Hello All,
I really need help here, me and my wife had our first child last December Alhamdulillah the birth was normal and my son is doing great, but my wife started to have these symptoms last 6 to 7 weeks ago, complaining her wrist, hands, fingers, knees, ankles hurt, we thought it was just temporary but the pain kept lingering so we went to an orthopedic he ran test everything came negative he stated that you should go to a Rheumatologist luckily we found one and she did blood test for my wife and come to find out she has a disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis, she have given my wife a temporary pills to reduce the pain which are steroids called Prednisone but she says this is not a long term thing, the long term medication she is suggesting is called Methotrexate but a very low dosage once a week this med is used for chemo also, so my question to anyone who can help us make this decision for this medication and a person who had this problem of Rheumatoid Arthritis how they dealt with it and any information you can provide i would really really appreciate it, thanks in advance to whoever assist us JA.
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Rheumatoid Arthritis is a complex autoimmune disease that has been well studied/research, and as a result we have many different drugs available that slow the progression of the disease. Methotrexate is one of the DMARDs (disease modifying anti-rhuematic drug) that is very commonly prescribed in early onset RA, provided that the patient does not have any conditions that preclude it's use such as chronic liver conditions, ppd/tb status. Your rheumatologist will run an array of tests prior to starting Methotrexate. RA should be managed early to slow progression of disease, and I'd trust your rheumatologist to advise you correctly. Remember to ask lots of questions, and do your own research. There's a ton of patient friendly material available on the net regarding rheumatoid arthritis and you/your wife should make good use of it.
Also, if she starts methotrexate, you guys should use contraception to avoid becoming pregnant, and plan your pregnancies. Methotrexate in addition to being used for RA, is also used to terminate early pregnancies. I'm sure you'd be advised of that by your doctor.
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Hello All, I really need help here, me and my wife had our first child last December Alhamdulillah the birth was normal and my son is doing great, but my wife started to have these symptoms last 6 to 7 weeks ago, complaining her wrist, hands, fingers, knees, ankles hurt, we thought it was just temporary but the pain kept lingering so we went to an orthopedic he ran test everything came negative he stated that you should go to a Rheumatologist luckily we found one and she did blood test for my wife and come to find out she has a disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis, she have given my wife a temporary pills to reduce the pain which are steroids called Prednisone but she says this is not a long term thing, the long term medication she is suggesting is called Methotrexate but a very low dosage once a week this med is used for chemo also, so my question to anyone who can help us make this decision for this medication and a person who had this problem of Rheumatoid Arthritis how they dealt with it and any information you can provide i would really really appreciate it, thanks in advance to whoever assist us JA.
Your questions are very vague.
What exactly are your concerns?
RA as it is said is autoimmune disease. Small joints are affected.
*Diagnosis really needs to be confirmed. *
Many autoimmune diseases overlap.
*And even false blood tests may develop temporarily. *
Not trying to make you suspicious, but saying that because it means long term medications so be sure.
Just make sure the diagnosis is correct.
:)
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Methotraxate is still the gold standard for Rhemeoid arthritis. It can prevent the progess of the disease but cannot reverse damnge. My mom used to take it as well. I wished she would havetaken it earlier. Another friend here in the USA has also been prescribed the same for her rhumotoid arthritis. The sooner you start taking it, the sooner you would stop further spread of the disease.
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Check your PM Mr2sweet.
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
There is no one single blood test to confirm RA. You need to ask the doctor politely on what basis the diagnosis was made.
The doctor may be right but this needs confirmation.
Read about it and parvovirus infection....just as an example.
Did she have anti-CCP test?
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Don't you all think the doctor being a Rheumatologist that too in USA would have done the correct tests and diagnosed accordingly? I think the OP is looking for personal examples to make him feel safe and secure about the whole process knowing other people are on the same track as his wife. Goodluck OP and I hope your family can cope with it well inshAllah.
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Thanks to all for your recomendations, However Canadian Desi Girl hit it on the spot, i have a doctor for my wife she has done all the necessary test needed and after that she is recomending the drug Methotrexate, i just need some one who wen through this experiance personall and get their input what to eat what not eat, how to fight the pain via natural remedies because medicenes are addicting and once you on them your body gets use to it and cannot function without it, so please keep posting and give your best recomandations possible thanks to all JA in advance.
Re: Rheumatoid Arthritis (NEED HELP)
Hi, check my PM
All the best