Rhematoid arthritis symptoms and conditions

I took 500mg per day for 9 out of 10 days. On the morning of the 9th day I hopped out of bed but was SHOCKED by the amount of pain I had in my feet! I could barely put my weight on my feet or walk! It was like I was 85 years old!
I stopped taking it immediately but the symptoms continued to get worse over the next 5 days. By the 5th day I had pain in my feet, knees, hands, neck, back and shoulders! I went to the doctor; they refused to believe it was a reaction to the medication so the did blood work. I tested negative for rhematoid arthritis, Lyme disease or any other auto-immune disease. THANK GOD! The doctor still wont say it was the medication. He said it was caused by a "virus" . ya right - whatever! I didn't want to take anything for the pain so I started going to the gym 2x a day,( AM &PM) to sit in the hot tub and steam room. I also drank tons of water to flush my system. I at only foods that are known to be anti-inflammatory such as red grapes, 100% red grape juice, tuna fish, sardines, pineabble, soy milk, flax seet. I also took 1000mg of omega 3 fish oil capsules (iceland health brand) a multi vitamin (geritol brand) extra calcium with extra Vitamin D, and I switched from coffee to green tea. I drank about six cups a day in addition to about 8 glasses of water. I also gave up all foods suspected of causing inflammation such as meat, processed foods, and sugars. I also (for the first time) went to a one hour reiki session with a woman who was excellent. After about a week the pain in gone almost completely, except my feet still hurt a little bit in the morning untili they loosen up. I highly recommend trying this to see if it helps aleviate your symptoms of muscle and joint pain. Good luck.

I started Methotextrate 5 months agoi and I have been on Prednisone for three months now in combination with the methotextrate to attempt to get the symptoms of RA (Rhematoid arthritis) under control. Last month the Dr. tripled the dose from 5mg up to 15mg. I have been having problems with my vision. Sometimes it just blurs and then will clewar but there is no warning so I fear driving. Thinking is almost painful. I forgot my daughter's name. My thoughts often feel fuzzy. My muscles ache and sometimes I feel like moving takes to much energy. I couldn't use my left arm the other day because it weighed to much. I never really sleep and when I do the dreams are so real and vivid they wear me out. I get muscle cramps so bad taht my body is stuck until the cramp subsides. I feel weak much of the time. My primary Dr. sent me for an MRI thinking maybe I have MS but the MRI was beautiful. I do not have the intense pain from The RA I used to have now that I am on Prednisone
but I am thinking the pain was much better than the side effects (which never were really mentioned). I have read many of the postings here and have any of the same side effects but the above mentioned are the most disturbing. I am fortunate in that I am loosing weight and have not had the weight gain mentioned by many others. I guess I can thank the chemo for that:) I am comforted to know so many other people have problems with this drug (not that I wish suffering on anyone). I was starting to feel like maybe I am just crazy. I try to be a positive productive person but lately that is a challenge. I am going to be talking to the Dr. nad get off these horrible little pills. RA is easier to deal with than the side effects of the treatment.
Thanks for listening.
Liz

Hi I was diagnosed with chronic rhematoid arthritis in February 2004 after blood tests etc. It was a relief to find out what I had than it hit me that I will have this for life and went through the 'why me' thoughts. My doc prescribed me with diclofen which did not do any good but after a while 2-3 weeks I was able to attend a specialist in our local area. He than went through the tests and prescribed me with the dreaded prednisone you have all talked about. Yes I have now got the moon shape face plus the weight gain (a stone) which is alot for my 5'2' height. I have spoken to my local doctor about it who just says hmmm... probably thinks that I am 50 yrs old and looks don't matter. Well everybody she is going to get a serious talking to especially after I have read all your comments. For me the weight gain is a biggy (literally). In the beginning I had been prescribed to take 10 mg a day but I chose to just take 5 mg after 1 month, as the doctor informed me that I will have increased appetite. Which I obviously did ie weight gain. I was also prescribed methotrexate one a week so after this I will be looking at that site to see what others have experienced. Apart from that yes I am having the mood swings which I already had but now it is enhanced!!! and the weight gain.