1. MTX for 3 years, it was started when I was 1st diagnosed. I think it took about a month but I was on prednisone at the same time so I don't really know which one it was.

2. Pain and stiffness got better so therefore mobility increased

3. joint/body pain

4. definitely bad

5. good mostly but as I get used to a dose (say 6-8 months) then it kinda equals out until we increase the dose again. On 25mg now my rheumy was very consertative

6. Stability......less flares that are shorter in duration. I still don't "like" MTX but it's better than the consequences

I've been on MTX about 20 months.
At first it did not seem to work. It was not until my dr. jacked up my prednisone to 40 mgs a day that I got "better".
I weaned down to 2 mgs prednisone and stayed "well" for about a year.
I had to go my MTX for a dental infection and flared. Not awful like onset but not fun. Ever since then the MTX has not been as effective as it was even though I increased it to the maximum dose. Even with my prednisone increased to 10 mgs a day.
I weaned down to 5 even though I don't feel "good", I hate prednisone.
I will probably be adding a biologic. I didn't think MTX would fail me so early on....

I didn't answer all your questions. At the time my prednisone was jacked up I had been on MTX about 7 weeks. I went from being unable to do anything for myself at all to nearly self sufficient over night.
I didn't even want to live anymore up until that point I was in so much pain. All days were BAD days.
The worst thing about MTX is the fatigue and the fact that I can't drink which was how I unwound in the evening.

I'm not taking MTX now, but when I stopped taking it, it had become very good for me, in terms of reducing inflammation and paind, and returning my life to normalcy.

1) How long before MTX worked for you? nearly 5 months

2) What changed that you could attribute the change to MTX? reduced inflammation and pain, and the attitude that comes with that.

3) Would you say that before taking MTX did you experienced more of the joint/body pain or the fatigue, or both about even? Far more. I had a severe case of RA.

4) During one month, before starting MTX would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? For the month before starting MTX, and another month or two, beofre it began to work, I became didsabled, could not work, could not pull my covers up, walked with difficulty. Not good.

5) After being on the therapeutic amount of MTX and once you started noticing a change for the better, would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? Many more good. MTX became very good for me.

6) Why are you glad to be on MTX and what changed for you? Well, I had to stop MTX after 1 1/2 years because of lung complications, possibly attributed to MTX.

Good luck,
Doug

1) How long before MTX worked for you? Started in June 08, 7.5mg then steady upping of dose. Took about 2 months of max dose to notice improvement.

2) What changed that you could attribute the change to MTX? Yeah, I struggle separating out WHAT is doing good cuz I'm on so many meds. MTX, Plaquenil, Sulfasalazine, and Humira. But I think the combination, at least for me, is key.

3) Would you say that before taking MTX did you experienced more of the joint/body pain or the fatigue, or both about even? Even. Fatigue was horrible, debilitating. Once the fatigue got better, I still had really bad pain.

4) During one month, before starting MTX would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? Bad.

5) After being on the therapeutic amount of MTX and once you started noticing a change for the better, would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? Even though I could "tell a difference" both rheumy and I agreed it could still get better. We added Humira after 5 months on MTX.

6) Why are you glad to be on MTX and what changed for you? I am more mobile, MUCH less fatigue, and I feel like it is affected the disease process in a positive way.

Hello pear
1.I was taking oral mtx did'nt do much for me
after my first injection the next day was alot better very tired but not near as much pain.
2.My bones and joints were not so painful
3.I had more joint pain not to bad on the fatigue until after first shot.
4.Bad days
5.good days
6. Just the fact I could function better through out the day.
The only thing I've notice in the last couple of weeks more pain so I started humria too and going good. Take care. marie

Hey Zeyda. Here are my responses

1) It took about 3 months to start working and full effects about 5 months

2) All the swelling went away, and I'd say 90% of the pain. All of the fatigue went away as well.

3) Way more pain and fatigue before I started MTX!

4) I had all bad days b4 the MTX. I was hobbling like an old lady and couldn't open jars, doors, etc. My shoulders were on fire!

5) I'd say they're all pretty darned good now. I will occasionally get what I call a "mini flare" - it last 10-15 min and will be a slight sting in wrists or knees, but thankfully it goes away pretty quickly (knock wood!)

6) Where to begin? For me, I got my life back. I'm back to playing tennis, biking, walking. About the only thing I can't do as well is hike up mountains (I've managed some small hills though)...honestly, I think that's more from previous knee damage than just RA. I am very grateful that it has worked for me.

Of note, I did switch to MTX shots...the pills made me queasy, and I tolerate the shots really well.

1) How long before MTX worked for you? PROBABLY 2-3 MOS.

2) What changed that you could attribute the change to MTX? TERRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

3) Would you say that before taking MTX did you experienced more of the joint/body pain or the fatigue, or both about even? I DID HAVE SOME RELIEF IN JOINT PAIN, BUT, ON THE OTHER HAND I HAD ADDED SIDE EFFECTS AND FATIGUE...TOTAL BRAIN FOG.

4) During one month, before starting MTX would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? MORE BAD DAYS

5) After being on the therapeutic amount of MTX and once you started noticing a change for the better, would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? MORE GOOD DAYS FOR JOINT PAIN, MORE BAD DAYS NEUROLOGICALLY.

6) Why are you glad to be on MTX and what changed for you? I DID DISCONTINUE AFTER 5 MOS. AND IT TOOK A GOOD 8-10 WEEKS TO FEEL 'NORMAL' AND FUNCTION AGAIN.

ADDITION: Didn't mean all caps, but I wanted my answers to stick out after your question. I had a horrible experience with both the MTX pills and injections. I ruined an entire summer and me at work. I don't mean to sound negative, it is just my experience. However, I have an acquaintance that has been on it for years without any problems. It all really depends on the person.
I hope these posts are helping with your decision making.

Hi Pearl

I am so glad you ask all the question. I just started Mtx 3 weeks ago and I thought my life would be over now. But after reading all the positive outcome after mtx I don't feel so bad anymore. I have alot of swelling and I guess I need to take some more Pred. for now until the mtx kixks in. I was always active before, loved the outdoors, swimming, hiking etc... Now I can't even walk across the room some days. I hate this RA. I just want my life back. So thanks for all you people who replied to the ?'s. I really needed that today. I am a little depressed I guess.

1) How long before MTX worked for you? Probably 2 to 3 months. I was on MTX for several years with good results. I am off it right now since I've been recently diag. with COPD and Emphysema. I don't know what my new RA regimen will be. ? I have an appt. July 2nd. For now I'm on Celebrex alone. Yikes!!!!!

2) What changed that you could attribute the change to MTX? Less swelling, less joint pain, therefore being to do more things.

3) Would you say that before taking MTX did you experienced more of the joint/body pain or the fatigue, or both about even? Both My RA was very severe in the beginning. So bad I had to be hospitalized.

4) During one month, before starting MTX would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? I definitely had more bad days prior to MTX.

5) After being on the therapeutic amount of MTX and once you started noticing a change for the better, would you say that you had more good days or more bad days? Definitely more good days. We still had to add Enbrel to my mix to accomplish the range of motion and activity level I needed.

6) Why are you glad to be on MTX and what changed for you? I was on it a long time and it really did help me. MTX enabled me to live a more normal life and take care of my family. I was able to continue my career albeit we added Enbrel to the mix for better results.

Linda

Thank you guys...I'm going to take all of this and study it...I think that I'm on the right track with MTX and I have to give it time to work.

I noticed that some of you said that you had more fatigue after starting it...that was interesting, and both Linda and Doug mentioned lung problems. My chest x-rays confirms leisons on my left lung, and will keep checking and comparing for any lung complications. I'm concerned that fatigue seems to be a side effect to it....and that's interesting because it just seems that lately I don't have a break from the fatigue.

Thank you all.....can you all move down to Florida and be my neighbors :)

Best to all, Zeyda

Zeyda:
Thanks for asking this questions as I am also on the same quest. Just started taking MTX - diagnosed about 5 months ago. I often wonder if I'm on the right path.

Linda:
I just read your post about your lungs problems. Did the doctors mentioned any relationship between MTX and COPD / emphysema?

Hope my pulmonologist does not think MTX has had anything to do with my lung problems but he also said my rheumatologist would have to make that call since he specializes in rheumatology. So I will talk to my doc when I go over on July 2nd. As soon as I know something I will post it here. For the time being I'm not taking anything for my RA except Celebrex.

Linda

Zeyda,

thanks so much for this thread - I've been on MTX only slightly longer than you (I think I'm at week 10 or something) and hearing others' experiences really helps me be a bit more patient with letting this drug "do its thing". My Rheumy did switch me from folic acid to the Leucovorin (weekly dose I take 12 hours after MTX) 2 weeks ago and that has significantly helped with lessening side effects.

Keep us posted on how it goes for you.

Tort

1) Hard to tell because the prednisone kicked in and did a really good job, so I can't say. All I can say is I've been on it for about 9 months and my prednisone dose is half what it was and I am holding pretty well.

2) The way my immune system went all squirrely on me - it's much more relaxed now.

3) Far more of all of the above.

4) They were all bad days.

5) Far more good days, in fact the longer I take it the better I feel.

6) I have mobility again; I can hold my baby for more than 1 1/2 minutes before crying from the pain; I can walk, run, turn my head, open my jaw. The turning point for me was knowing the good it was doing for me, over the yucky next day blahs I get.