Arthritis Support Group

Maybe you will get lucky and not have any of the side effects. I've been on it for a few years now and I don't have any ill side effects at all.

Good luck! I may start methotrexate next month... i'm pretty iffy about it too. Although there are a ton of side effects and some people have a bad time on it, it has worked wonders on others so who knows. My mother was on it for awhile... her pain was almost non-existent but she didn't like the fatigue so she eventually switched to Embrel. I hope all goes well

I've had Lupus and severe joint pain for years and just started metho. 3 weeks ago. For the past 4 days I have virtually been pain free by the grace of God! Side effects for me are the saturday after I take it (I only take it 1x Friday nights) I am very nauseas but take benadryl to help with that. It's getting better. I just could not work or function due to the pain. Good luck.

I have been on it for a while. I find that if I take it before bed on Friday nights and sleep most of the affects off I do alright. The fatigue the next day can be a bit annoying but its either that or being in horrible pain all the time. I think if you exercise, get good rest and eat right you will do really well.

I've been on methotrexate for about 6 months now with the only side effect being a little fatigue. It doesn't help me much on its own, but does in combination with remicade. To help with the fatigue make sure you take folic acid. Most of the side effects you read about are for high dose methotrexate that is used to treat cancer. The dose methotrexate that is used to treat arthritis is small with minimal side effects.

RA often requires a strong medicine like MTX. I was nervous about starting it but was miserable. I have been on it over a year and feel so much better that I won't complain. I have experienced few if any side effects. The physician and the package insert must paint the bleak picture of all the possible side effects. It does not mean that you will experience any of them! Challenge the "expert's" advice, do your homework and then plow forward. If no improvement in either your lab data or clinical symptoms after a few months, it is not working and discuss stoppping it! The only was one finds the "perfect cocktail" or combination of medications is trial and error (combined with the clinicial experience of your medical practioner!).

I've been om MTX for the last two and a half years. The tiredness and feelin sickly just wouldn't go away ~ until my RA Consultant said there are less side effects with injecting. I gave it a try and also decided to reduce my dosage from 25mg to 20mg once a week. I feel a million times better ! No nausea No tiredness & NO PAIN those of you out there saying they could never do that, it's surprising what you can do when you put your mind to it.

h all,i started methotrexate a month ago,up to 10mg at the moment.i do have concerns about taking such a toxic drug, but it is helping me. my arthritis is pretty much everywhere and i suffer so much, but i've got to say, that this drug had almost an immediate effect,which is unusual. would like to hear what you all have to say about this treatment, good or bad, as sharing our stories is a good way of supporting each other. take care all.

I have been taking the same thing for about 6 months and with no side effects. It has taken away 95% of pain in my hands and I can use them really well . I wish the same for you. All the best