My journey with RA began in March 2007.  I feel very fortunate because I was able to get in with a rheumatologist and had my symptoms under control by October of that same year.  My rheumatoid arthritis is seronegative, which means that I do not test positive to the traditional diagnostic tests that are used to diagnose the disease.  Seronegative makes the job of diagnosing a patient with rheumatoid arthritis even more difficult.  After conducting numerous tests to rule out other explanations for my joint tenderness and swelling, my rheumatologist decided to prescribe methotrexate.  She started me on six 2.5 mg tablets to be taken one day each week.  In addition, she prescribed 1 mg. of folic acid to be taken daily.  

I began keeping a journal in April 2007 to help me keep up with my symptoms, appointments, and the various medications that I was prescribed.  As I prepared for this article, it was interesting to look back at my journal entries during that time of uncertainty.   I definitely had good days and bad days with life interspersed between the two.  I documented the day that I started on methotrexate.  I easily determined that my symptoms began to lessen in four weeks and were almost totally under control in eight.  I remember worrying about hair loss and the other side effects from methotrexate.  However, thanks to the folic acid I have not experienced any of the side effects other than mild fatigue the day after I take the methotrexate.   I visit my rheumatologist’s office every three months for bloodwork and every six months for a follow up.   I have found that my “maintenance” dose of methotrexate is five 2.5 mg tablets per week. 

I have read posts on various sites about people newly diagnosed that are fearful of taking methotrexate because of its side effects and the fact that it is chemotherapy.  I had the same fears in the beginning, but for me…it’s been a miracle drug that has given me my life back.  I hope that this is encouraging to those of you that are newly diagnosed.  

Here is an excellent video that explains the proper use of methtrexate for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis:

 http://www.rheuminfo.com/content/view/113/385/

Within a few months, I was referred to a rheumatologist…an excellent one. Over the course of a couple of months of testing with negative results, she told me that I have seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.  She said that approximately 20% of all patients she sees test negative for rheumatoid arthritis, but actually have the symptoms.  It has always been expected, so it wasn’t too much of a surprise. I had already done the research, so I was prepared. RA isn’t something that I would wish on anyone, but in the big scheme of things….it’s manageable. At the time, I had already lost a friend to cancer, so I didn’t take the time to participate in a pity party. I have a life and a happy family to be a part of…upward and onward!

My rheumatologist prescribed another round of prednisone and started me on methotrexate and folic acid . The folic acid helps to prevent hair loss and mouth ulcers, side effects of the methotrexate. Within three weeks, my stiffness and swelling went away. In the three years since diagnosis, I have only had two major flares! Many people have a poor response to methotrexate so I feel very blessed. My only bad reaction to all of the medications that were prescribed earlier was to Mobix. My face blew up like a blowfish. But, even this gave an opportunity for my family to laugh at me…we like to laugh.

My morning started out in this rheumatologist’s office for a checkup. It is always nice to go in and report that I am doing well. I don’t think she hears that from many of her patients. We decided that I could try reducing my methotrexate in the off chance that I am in remission. Here’s hoping. (Whatever happens….I’m still wearing my Tevas)