Hey bigiblue,

I was on MTX for 9 months. They told me it usually takes 3 months to see the improvements. I saw improvements around week 14 but then at 8 months had another major flare and said between flaring and the side effects (I had a lot of bad side effects even injecting it and with prescription folic acid twice a day) that this wasn't the drug for me.

As for an energy boost - I never got one from taking MTX. Instead it sucked quite a bit of energy from me. My energy "boost" came the day before I had to take it again because that's when I had the least amount left in me!

Oh I so hope it works out way better for you then me as I know it has does wonders for others on here. Good luck and hope you see the improvements before week 14!

Hi Bigi

I'm sure others will tell you that it is different for everyone - and I think it is - but my experience has been (11 weeks in) that my flares are not as frequent or as bad (but still occur) and I am in more pain daily than I was before I started (this I attribute to disease progression, not necessarily an "effect" of MTX). I THINK it is beginning to work as I'm finding that I feel worse (pain wise) towards the end of the week (so perhaps it is when the MTX is leaving my system). My Rheumy originally told me "3 weeks to 3 months" before improvement and on last visit said "sometimes as long as 5 months"

And as for that energy boost... well, I'm with Smith on this one - it sucks energy from me. We've adjusted from daily folic acid to the pill taken AFTER your dose (leucovorin) which has helped but I'm still pretty useless the day after (this has lingered as long as 4 days before we switched to Leucovorin).

I think it was Pearl who posted questions about MTX about a week ago - it'll be on the discussion list - it gives a pretty comprehensive overview of how others did (based on her specific questions) - that may give you even more insight.

Hope the MTX starts kicking in soon AND you get that energy spurt!!!

Thanks Tort!

I see your from Houston, Im from LA POrte and also Sub or at least try to sub for LPISD. Small world. Do you know of any support group in H.

Hi bigblue, tortoiselvr has a great memory....I did post some questions about MTX because I've only been on it for about 6 weeks, and still waiting to see how it works. As for the energy, my experience is that my fatigue gets worse after I take it. I take it, but I have to stay with it and give it a chance....here is the link to the post and you will see lots of good responses. Hope that it helps:

http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Rheumatoid_Arthritis/forum/7244262-some-questions-if-you-have

Thanks Pearl!
I even responded to the questions you ask. They were great, I guess the mtx is affeccting my memory. Thanks again.

It really is different for everyone but agree with smith101 about taking time and still getting flares - but they were less frequent for me. We are all so individual - which is not new age touchy feely - but really an obvious medical reality or we could all be easily fixed since some drugs work for some people.... I was on it two years and had "good" period about 14 months in the middle. Looking at the drug section of this site it still seems to be the most successful drug so worth giving a go. I would periodically feel unwell. Someone else wrote on this site that they feel bad day after and this was my situation. Specialist told me to take at night so body adjusted overnight...Worth persevering I reckon as long as your bloods OK. Good luck.

My main comments on mtx happened when I was OFF of it. While I didn't think it was making much difference, I found out differently. I was in "remission" and decided to stop mtx, just my own idea. I was off it for 10 months and felt terrific. Low pain, minor flares. My RA Dr. kept saying, you know damage can be done and you won't know it. Ha, ha, I said to myself, I've lived with this disease long enough that is something was going on, damage being done, I'd know it! WRONG! The end of the story is I had to go back on it, I did 5-10 years damage in 10 months of being off of it and ended up having to leave a job I loved. I know hind sight is 20-20, but don't be to quick to think it isn't working for you. Or maybe make sure you get an alternate medicine right away.
After being on the mtx injections for 10 plus years, I've never had an energy burst!
Sandy

Hi Bigi

Wanted to add that I also take it at night and that seems to help combat some of the ugliness - and that no, sorry, I don't know of any support groups in our area - but will keep my eyes and ears open.

- tort.