reactive arthritis

[alex136]

i am a 31 year old male who has had reactive arthritis for 15 years. I gget aches in joints and muscles and mild inflamation in my fingers, knees etc.  The main inflamation i receive is in my neck and a feeling of inflamation in my head / brain which affects my ability to concentrate, speak and communicate.  The inflamation that causes this comes and goes throughout the day so it is extremely difficult to judge when it will occur and how long it will last.  Can you suggest any other diagnosis? or any affective treatment.  I can cope with the inflamation elsewhere in my body but find it difficult to work effectively with it in my head / neck.  My Rheumatologist has suggested using Methrotrexate. Is this a good option?

[txsilver]

People respond differently to MTX.  It is the hope and intention that it takes symptoms away.  It takes time to build in your system, though.  About 3 months before results can truly be measured.  I felt results were much faster with the injections.  Keep in mind that it takes time to get the dosage right, too.  The big thing with MTX is to be sure you take your folic acid and watch the side effects.  You have to go in monthly to get your liver checked, too.  Please let us know what you decide to do and how you progress.  These conditions are tough and we are here to help.

[alex136]

I have taken Sulfasalazine which did not work and have taken Minocycline for 4 years.  The Minocycline has eradicated many of the symptoms but not the most severe.  I am convinced the disease is bacterial and have tried a number of antibiotic combinations to no avail. After reading up on it alot it seems that many arthritis conditions are caused by bacteria that, once in the joint create bio films that can not be broken down by Antibiotics.  This is probably why many of my non joint symptoms have gone but others in the vicinity of the joint have remained. Will MTX dampen down symptoms or get rid of them?

[txsilver]

What medications are you currently taking?  Methotrexate is a valid treatment for reactive arthritis, but, if I were you, I would want to explore all the possible options before going to Methotrexate (MTX).

MTX is a good drug, but like all medicines, it has some side effects that should be considered before you start taking it.  MTX can be taken orally or injected.  I have had both and I preferred the injections as I had fewer side effects.  While taking it, you MUST take folic acid.  If you have severe side effects, you can ask to have leukovoan prescribed.  It is the antidote and can only be taken exactly 24 hours after you take MTX or you will lose all of the benefits of it.  

A carb loaded meal, like pasta, also seemed to help reduce the side effects.  I generally ate it about 1 hour before taking MTX.  

My experience was that I felt terrible the day after I took it.  Nausea, general malaise.  But after that day, I was fine.  Some people do much better than I did and expereince fewer side effects.  I tend to be sensitive to meds and always have to read side effects of anything I take because I will get about half of them.