Treatment

Hi, !

I am sorry you are dealing with a medication change. And I think your hesitations are valid and reasonable. Have you talked to your doctor about your concerns? There comes a time where one can really think about whether the benefits of any treatment outweigh the risks/cons. And, hey, you are 75. You have earned the right to enjoy a drink now and then. And, while Methotrexate can be a great treatment, it doesn't work for everyone. And your other condition (UC) should definitely be considered in this whole equation. We do have a sister site dedicated to IBD, including UC, which you are welcome to check out, if you are interested -- https://inflammatoryboweldisease.net/.

All that said, you can have a frank discussion with your doctor (if you haven't done so already) about your treatment options. I assume he/she is aware of your full health profile, but it can't hurt to bring up all the things you are weighing as you consider methotrexate. If your RA symptoms are out of control, trying a new medication definitely makes sense. And I tend to err on the side of staying on treatments to help slow the joint damage that often comes with RA. But, ultimately, YOU get the final say in what goes into your body (including the occasional glass of wine of cocktail). You can say yes or no to methotrexate. I know Richard Faust discussed PLP with you on another thread, so I won't retread ground he already covered. There are other DMARDs that you and your doctor might look into -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/traditional-disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic-drugs and I don't know if you have ever tried biologic DMARDs -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/treatment/biologics or biosimilars -- https://rheumatoidarthritis.net/what-are-biosimilars. I will say (and you may already be aware) that many of these medications do list digestive issues (nausea, vomiting, etc) as common side effects, which may make them not a good fit with your UC.

I do hope you can find a treatment that works for you and still allows you the occasional drink. After all, life is for living and if having a drink brings you joy and community, then I think that's worth keeping, if possible.

Best, Erin, Team Member.

Hi . Reading Erin's post made me think of a couple of things related to dealing with both IBD and RA that that may be helpful. Erin mentioned biologics and, actually, there are a few that treat both conditions. If possible, and we know it is not always easy, try to get the specialists to coordinate care. Hopefully, you can find a treatment regimen to help with both conditions. Best, Richard (Team Member)

My doctor changed me from taking hydoxychloriquine, also because it wasn't working for me. He started me on Methotrextate and Folic Acid. Folic acid wasn't enough to stop sores in my nose and mouth so changed me to Leucovorin once a day. The sores are better and mostly in the nose but my hair is falling out, my eyelashes are also thinning and I practically have no eyebrows. Yet, I still have to shave my legs! UGH! At 72, I just feel so tired of it all. On top of the RA, I am dealing with chronic anemia, post sepsis symptoms and I would love to find something that helps it all. I am thankful that I have not had any stomach, bowel, or colon issues.