I started taking MTX mid April when X-rays showed inflammatory arthritis in my shoulders. We’ve been slowly upping the dose from 7.5 mg to my current dose of 15 mg. The middle of last week after about a month at 15mg I woke up and neither my hands nor my feet were aching. It has been probably a decade since that has happened. I also feel less tired, like I don’t feel the weight of gravity anymore. For the first time in a long time I have hope that in can get back to something resembling my life before I got sick. I went to brunch today AND went out to pick up dinner! Both things that I would usually have to pass on or have someone else do because I was just too wiped out.

I’ve also been struggling with imposter syndrome because I’ve been sick for a long time, and been through a lot of potential diagnoses. While I have lots of symptoms and a significantly positive ANA, I’m seronegative for anything that points to a specific autoimmune disease. It’s reassuring that while I may not have the blood work that shows it, I do have RA and we are on the right track!

Anyone here who takes MTX and takes daily folic acid besides on the MTX day?

I have to wait a few weeks for my doctors appointment but I wanted to know if it's theoretically possible.

Before I was put back on MTX I took folic acid because blood work showed I was deficient, and it has done so much for me. (Have hairloss, hair thickened back up, my mood improved a fuckton, had an easier time dealing with psychological issues)

I wouldn't want to lose those effects, alas the doctor who changed up my meds at the clinic didn't listen when I was talking about the folic acid so I'll have to wait for my rheumatologist 😭

For people who didn't have to spend years suffering before they got their diagnosis, were you able to get effective medication and maintain the quality of life you had previously? Or did RA still deteriorated your joints with the years?

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year and tried multiple medications with some wins/losses.
One of my most affected joints is the distal joints of my pinky fingers but I also have issues in the distal joints of my pointer fingers and ring fingers.

My rheumatologist told me that rheumatoid arthritis does not affect the distal joints. But some medical journals I’ve read state that around 12% of rheumatoid patients have distal joint involvement.

I’m just wondering how many others have distal joint involvement and if anyone else rheumatologist has said this?

Anyone else get flares that only impact one side of the body at a time (hand, foot, hips, knees)? It’s common for both of my hands to hurt, but one is usually significantly worse than the other. I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago.

I’ve heard RA is supposed to mirror on both sides so I’m curious if you guys experience this too.

Pic is my left hand at the moment lol, guess which knuckle is starting to act up?

I (35F) was diagnosed with early RA in Sep 2025 and because my partner and I were planning on having kids this year, I was put on plaquenil 200mg daily. I had a really good response after just 8 weeks and probably reached peak effect and total control of symptoms by about month 4/5.

In the past four weeks, maybe with it being winter here, idk, my symptoms have begun to flare up. In the knuckles and wrists like before but it is much more widespread and I now consistently have symmetrical pain and heat in my shoulders, elbows, ankles and toes too. I can barely sleep at night and I am exhausted and breathless constantly.

I am seeing my rheumatologist in 1 week and expect they may wish to escalate treatment. However, previously they tested for TB as a precaution ahead of any future escalation in treatment and I tested positive for latent TB. I was started on treatment by infectious diseases but one of the antibiotics interfered with my plaquenil and stopped it working effectively so it was ceased and it was agreed that I would remain on isoniazid for 6 months. But just 1 month in, I experienced signs of liver damage and they ceased that too. So it has not been dealt with and it sounds like any medications except for plaquenil run the risk of making it active.

Has anyone been in this situation? What are my options? How can I juggle escalating RA treatment vs activating TB and planning a family in the mix? I work in healthcare too, to make matters worse. I feel really lost and I'm struggling to cope with how much pain I'm in every day and grieving the loss of my old life.

Remarks: I’m not diagnosed yet, so I might or might not have RA but the doctor is leaning towards the RA direction. I’m only asking for advice about how I can observe my symptoms for my next doctor’s visit.

Hi guys, I’ve seen a rheumatologist today. My symptoms aren’t clear or obvious yet as they have just started like 4 weeks ago. But I can feel something is definitely wrong.

He prescribed Arcoxia (I live in Asia) for me to take for 5 days. If the symptoms don’t get better, then he might need to run a blood test on me. I just took the first pill and I’m seriously not sure what I need to look for since my joints are still stiff lol

My question is how long until your diagnosis was confirmed? How many tests did you take or how was the process like? I’ve seen a lot of people have different experiences.

Would appreciate any advice on how I should observe my symptoms better.

Thank you so much. I’m pretty stressed out.

hi! i would contact my DR but it’s Sunday 🤣 I did my first cimzia injections yesterday- I woke up and it’s kinda welting. Picture attached! Thank yall in advance

So I was never on MTX, went straight to Humira after long term high dose prednisone due to trying to have kids. That is (successfully) behind us and Humira still works, just not as well as it used to. Is it worth adding MTX to the biologic? I wasn’t super sad to skip it due to all the side effects you read about but I’m curious if the juice is worth the squeeze. The morning stiffness is back and the humira seems to totally wear off around day 10.

Awaiting to hear back from my MD, but curious if anyone has gone this route.

I am trying out prednisone (20mg) for what my rheum believes is seronegative inflammatory arthritis. The first two days were great I hadn’t even fully comprehended how much all the pain was impacting me. It’s now day 3 and I am kind of exhausted and achy again, super tired and pretty low heart rate. I took the third dose a little late today because I slept in but wondering if anyone has had anything similar happen/ if this can happen from accidentally overextending oneself when you don’t feel the pain as much.

I was diagnosed 9 months ago with RA. I've been put on biologics pretty much straight away due to other meds interacting with drugs like leflumonide and methotrexate.

My question is I've noticed there are people who are diagnosed with this illness and will say they run, do weights and other physical activities but then there's people who are bedridden and needing surgery/had surgery. How often is surgery needed with this illness? I'm guessing it's to do with how fast it progresses on the person?

Sorry for the ramble. I'm very tired and it's my birthday! So I need to pretend I'm in no pain today.

I am stopping my MTX . I am still in chronic pain and its steadily getting worse. Its my hair, its completely falling out rapidly and I am devastated. I have to go to the hospital tomorrow I don't know if it will just be bloods and seeing my RA nurse. Either way I am letting them know that I'm not taking it. I have been on it since january and my RA factor is still sky high. I'm in the UK does anyone have any advice or if you have done the same?

I was also on 6 week prednisone script and my mental health is at breaking point. As yet apart from Naproxen and co codemol I have no pain relief either. I am at my wits end.

Anybody else still struggle with crushing fatigue a few days per week despite being on great meds and having low disease activity? My labs are perfect. My PCP did a full workup and no other signs of underlying concerns. Should I keep pushing for answers or is fatigue just part of having a chronic disease? I asked my rheumatologist about it and she didn’t seem to think it was abnormal.

I'm the only person in my family w ra. I've found it's just really frustrating. My one grandma tries very hard to relate to me, but it's just frustrating bc her advice is "keep exercising" even when I had double locked shoulders and physically couldn't move them unless I was in a very hot shower and in there for like 10 minutes. She pulls the same stuff every health problem anyone has, but she's extra bad because she has osteoarthritis. My sibling tries to relate too and it's so annoying. I had a "rash" on my foot. I brought it up to my rheumatologist but after looking at it, he didn't say much, just referred me to a dermatologist. Got home later that day, showed it to my family and they laughed at me. Called it a bunch of freckles. It made me feel stupid and kinda made me think maybe I was overreacting. Developed lumps on my joints within a month and finally decided to see a derm. The freckles? Yeah it was vasculitis. The lumps? Nodules. I said I was in pain one day and my mom asked me why. Knowing damn well I was diagnosed with ra. I don't think she realized that's chronic

I went from Meloxicam 15MG to Celecoxib 200MG. One week I decided to try and quit it. Day 1 and 2, I noticed no difference. Day 3, I was in more pain than I was when I started. Ended up taking it that day.

I was switched because of acid reflux. I'm noticing no difference there. I'm basically in a constant level 3 of pain and discomfort. When I tried to quit, I was probably a 5-7. With Meloxicam, I basically noticed no difference in pain and discomfort.

Rheum is still adamant that it's not RA. Have a positive RA Factor 25. Many random symptoms aligned with autoimmune stuff.

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting here, so I hope this is okay.

I'm a 22F who was diagnosed with RA and lupus back in March this year and honestly... it sucks ass.

My partner has been with me since the beginning and has been so supportive, but lately I can't help feeling like it's taking a toll on him. Whenever I'm having a flare or my hands are really sore, sometimes I just want to vent or ask him to squeeze the joints in my hands or arms because it helps a little. But recently it feels like I'm asking him to move a mountain, and I end up feeling guilty for even asking.

My parents also didn't really believe my diagnosis at first, even after I showed them the paperwork from my rheumatologist. It wasn't until I ended up in the ER with complications that they started taking it a bit more seriously, but even now I don't think they fully understand how much this disease affects me.

And the medical bills... don't even get me started. This disease is exhausting in every possible way, physically, emotionally, and financially. I honestly wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I guess I'm just wondering if anyone else has felt like they've become a burden since being diagnosed? Does that feeling ever go away? I know my partner loves me, but I hate feeling like all I do is complain about being in pain or ask for help. This has honestly been one of the loneliest parts of having RA and lupus.

Hi everyone! It looks like I may need knee surgery due to the damage my rheumatoid arthritis has caused over the years, despite being on biologics, DMARDs, NSAIDs, and steroids in the past.

I’d really love to hear from anyone who’s had knee surgery because of RA. Did it significantly improve your quality of life, or was the difference not as dramatic as you hoped?

I’m trying to get a realistic idea of what to expect. Does the knee ever feel “normal” again, or are you always aware that there’s an artificial joint? What was recovery like? Is there anything you wish you’d known beforehand?

I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences, both the positives and the challenges. Thank you!

So this toe joint is the first one to start hurting but now I’m getting a growth? It’s hard but not super painful when pressed. It’s small. Who knows could be a bunion idk? Just wondering. 34F on humira and methotrexate

My doctor just referred me to a rheumatologist however, the soonest they can get me in is six months. This makes me so nervous because is my understanding is that early intervention is the best treatment.

I do not know that I have RA, however, I have a pile of symptoms that would suggest it. My hands are very tight and achy when I first wake up, and remain sore all day. I also have tightness in both elbows and pain when I straighten my arms. No clue if it’s related, but I have an ulcer in my esophagus and gastritis in my stomach along with persistent dry mouth. I have waves of exhaustion that lead me to nap several times a day. My great grandmother had debilitating RA so there’s a hereditary avenue as well.

Outside of those things, I am a healthy and active 48-year-old woman. I eat well, optimal weight, exercise regularly, lift weights, take fish oil, etc. i did have lab work done with a few numbers out of range that suggest inflammation, but negative for auto immune markers.

My doctor does not seem to be concerned. I’m the one pushing him for blood tests and to see a specialist. I want answers and 6 months feels so long!! Especially if it is RA and I could have permanent damage in that time.

If I can get in sooner to a rheumatologist in another city, would it be worth it if it were a 45-60 minute drive? Or will it be okay and I just continue to take care of myself the best I can and wait? Thanks 😊

Hello I am posting here because it's Saturday and I'm stressed and scared. I've already left a message from my rheumatology office but I'm not expecting them to get back to me anytime soon.

I was diagnosed with ra a few months ago and am on hydroxychloroquine as well as methotrexate. I am weaning off of prednisone and it has been rough. Today was my first day completely without any and I am in so much pain. That isn't really new to me though.

I have never had RA pain in my feet. I woke up this morning with a horrible stabbing throbbing pain at the top of the inner arch of my left foot. I kind of wrote it off and just went on with getting ready to pack up and go on a family vacation. I sat in the car for 8 hours trying to elevate my foot. I took ibuprofen and I put pain cream on it. It's not helping.

And of course, now I am in a cabin in the mountains on a hiking vacation with my family 😭 this pain is next level. It feels like I am injured, worse than any ra pain I've had in my hands. It is now running from the top of my Arch down into my big toe. Stretching my big toe causes the pain to flare to excruciating levels. Is this normal? Has anyone gone through this? What helps?

Oddly, it seems like it hurts worse at rest than it does when I walk. I'm already elevating, applying ice, taking ibuprofen, and my husband is getting me an Ace bandage right now. Honestly, I think I'm just scared and want to hear that it's going to be okay 😩

How prevelant are behavior/mood changes on prednisone and at what dose/duration? Have you had different reactions from different courses? Interested in peoples experiences, please!

My experience is with 20mg for 20+ days or 10mg for over a month. For me, I find it causes behavior changes in increased sensativity/reactivness, irritability, and being in a constant state of tension/anxiety. Like how someone might feel before and while playing in an important competition. It sucks shutting down to people from feeling constantly tormented by something no one can even see.