I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis 12 weeks ago and have been on methotrexate since which i find has been working ok despite some pain but bearable and had been able to get back to some levels of activity and feel like i was finally getting back to normal pain free life. Just this week my ankle is all swollen and sore. I never had problems with my ankles before and I have barely been able to walk without crutches .. It has been badly swollen all week now with little improvement and the pain back in it's usual place the ball of my foot and big toe so a double whammy. I have managed to get appointment tomorrow morning with my rheumatologist and am hoping so much he can do something. Im guessing ill get put back on steroids in short term for the inflamation. But does anyone else have a similar experience? what happens if the methotrexate stops working? Im in so much pain at the moment and thought this was behind me but am guesisng its going to be an on and off thing from now on...thanks a mill
To my understanding all meds will stop working after a period of time. It is not the same for everyone. Usually they will increase the amount of methotrexate & when that no longer is an option you start injecting yourself with enbrel or something similar. For me the methotrexate made me sick & so I was put on enbrel for 12 weeks with no improvements. Now I wait for my next appointment to see what my rheumy will try next. Best of luck to you with your doctor appointment. Be sure to update & let us know how you make out.
thanks for your response. All this is new to me. My doctor had told me it would take about 12 weeks to fully notice the effects of the methotrexate and i find it funny that is the point when the pain is all back. I'm hoping he can help me tomorrow. I'm used to being an active person and find this so frustrating. I have been on 18 mg of methotrexate weekly so maybe room to up this dose, i dont know. I'll let yas know how it goes :)
Hi
I had appointment this morning and I’m not sure I’m happy how it went. First I didn’t sleep all night wit the pain in my ankle as I couldn’t get comfortable and it took me forever to get my shoe on without crying wit the pain and out the door… So anyway in I went and he went through my whole history and I explained to him
Bout my ankle and how sore and swollen it was. He could see how bad it was without making me take my shoe off and told me a flare up like this is normal within first 3 months. So back on steroids and increased the dosage of methotrexate … He said he’d look at introducing another medication in July if still no improvement? This is probably normal? I’m just frustrated.
Please do not get too discouraged. The increase in the meds plus the steroids may do the trick. PsA can be extremely frustrating. But keeping a positive outlook is very important. Prayer helps as well & so I am going to say a few for you. Doctors seem to want to hold off on giving you the enbrel & similar stuff until they have tried all the other options. I truthfully do not know if it is because of the side effects or the cost. My PsA has not been under control for nearly 3 years, and my joints are fusing. So I know frustration. So do not get overly upset. Feel free to message me anytime.
thanks again for your kind words. I will keep positive attitude, Im known for that :) just i guess frustrated as thought i was improving and all working and going well. Im awful sorry to hear your joints are fusing :( is there nothing that can be done..sorry to hear that, ill keep you in my prayers too and might just message you thanks.
How are you doing these days? Hopefully you are getting some relief, and something is working.
The MX did not help me at all, I have taken 3 shots of Enbrel so far. Hopefully that will do the trick for me! Hopefully you will do better on the next one. It is surely a trial!