RA Sally, thank you for asking. Since we are all different and on the same path with the same meds, we can expect different results. Again, thank you Sally, I will call my rhuemy on Monday a.m.

A peaceful weekend to us all

The pharmacist told me not to take MTX and folic acid together, but taking MTX at breakfast and folic acid at supper on the same day was ok. Rheumy also approved of that schedule, so that's what I do.

I have been on and off MTX, tabs and injection. I am now back on tabs. I just went to injection because of the high dose I was on so I had to go on injections at that time. I am on 5 tabs now. The tabs never cause stomach issues. not certain if they are causing me to have headaches because I have headaches migraines in general. A lot of the RA med cause headaches so it is difficult to say whether or not the MTX is causing more headaches or not. I also am usually very tired a few days after taking the MTX. I was totally fatigued when I first went back on MTX. I take a multivitamin to help with that.

Thank you all for your comments... I'm not looking forward to having stomach issues but the rheumy said that we'd change delivery methods if I have issues.

One concern I have is that I don't want to settle for "feeling better." I want to feel the BEST I can. I know (hope) I'll see improvement with MTX, but do I stop there? Will I have improvement and then start sliding backwards?

This entire disease has so many components...I know how important lab work is for gauging how the meds are working, but I want my symptoms and such to be counted too. Make sense?

Certainly makes sense to me. Good Luck today.

As much as I hate MTX it was like a miracle drug for me. I would really suggest though, that you ask your doc to prescribe the injections instead of the pills. I use the injections and have barely any side effects but my uncle takes it pill form and has a ton of GI upset the next day and will usually stay in bed all day. As much as no one likes needles its only once a week so its not so bad. :)

Hi again RCross, MTX may not be the cure all drug but may be the right choice for you for now. Sometimes the DMards and biologics stop working and you have to move on to something else or a combo of something else. I have had RA for 10 years. I have been through MTX by mouth and IM because I went up to 25mg. I have been on other DMards such as Plaquenil(which I am still on) and Arava which stooped working for me. As for the biologics I have been on almost all of them starting with Humira which I felt great on for a few months then crashed and had to move on to another biologic. I am now on Rituxan which seems to hold me but I do have break through pain. Especially with the weather we have had this winter.

So my point is that MTX may be a start for you but medication sometimes needs to be changed around added, taken away. I hope MTX really works for you and you have no issues in taking it. This has been a very interesting post with some good responses. Please keep us posted in how you are doing. Best of luck to you.

If you go to Groups at the top of the page, then to Tips for taking Methtrexate, you will find good info here. Jenny (51%) set up this group to help others.

Thank you all! I just took my first dose. Hopefully it will be the right medication for me, without causing any side effects!

I really don't know what I'd do without y'all!

Hope you have a good night and no side effects. How much are you starting off with? I am at 6 tabs orally per week now at 3 months in with no side effects so far. Of course, I'm not sure how much it's helping yet either. I see my rheumy tomorrow will be discussing Enbrel. Post tomorrow how you're doing!

Good Luck RCross and please keep us posted!

I've started at 5 pills....so far just a little sore muscles, no queasiness at all!

Thanks for asking!

I think I might have spoken too soon. Round one of vomiting complete...ugh.

Oh no!!!!.... I really hope it passes quickly!!

Even though it took forever, I had to do 2 pills for a month, then 4 pills for a month, then 6, etc. I wonder if that helped avoid side effects.

I'm sorry you're sick. Everyone says the shots are better for avoiding side effects. Hope it goes away quickly!