Hi PW39 - Methotrexate by itself did not make any difference, that I could notice. So, after 12 weeks, my Rheum added a biologic, Humira, in addition to the methotrexate. Once that was added, relief came quickly. It was wonderful. There was still more inflammation than my Rheum wanted. The numbers in a Vectra test were - to me - discouraging. I am now on my 6th drug. The 5 other drugs did help a lot, but this 6th drug seems to be working the best. If this is the best relief I am ever going to get, I would be satisfied.

It will take some time, but hopefully, you have a great Rheum that will listen to you.

I guess i was just hoping to get some relief from just the Mtx alone. I know this is the case for some but not for the most. I was really nervous about even dtarting the mtx and would probably be just as bad with adding a biologic. I know its probably a little different depending on which bio they give ya but what are the most common side effects that you have with the new bios. Its hard to sift through the tv commercials with what will probably happen vs to what potentially could happen. Looks like if the mtx wasnt working then they would discontinue its use but ive heard sometimes it needs to mix with something else to be effective. So far so good with my rheumy even though its only been three visits. Btw what is a Vectra test?

I am on week 4 today taking a very low dose of 2.5 mil - sounds like I have a LONG way to go :(

I started on MTX pills, had all sorts of stomach issues. Was switched to injections, which cleared up the stomach issues, and helped with the RA, but not enough. Added plaquenil and Sulfasalazine at the one year mark in June, and can honestly say I now feel better. However in October, upon exam my Rheumy is not convinced that this is doing the entire trick, so we are watching and waiting until March when I will have more imaging done. If not going in the right direction she may try a different combination. She did say I will never be on just one medication. I did find when she upped my folic acid to two pills a day that also helped the stomach issues. The injections however were the best answer for the stomach issues. I told my doctor the last time I saw her, if this is the best it gets I guess I am ok with that, to which she replied. I am not ok with this. Which is good, she really pays attention to everything, not just my pain level, swelling, etc. The imaging is really important. By the way I am seronegative, but definitively diagnosed by Mayo as having RA. The imaging told the tale.

The Vectra test (www.vectrade.com ) is suppose to be able to measure RA disease activity. It measures on a score of 1-100. It showed I was close to high disease activity. I have never really had any nasty side effects from the drugs I have been on. I did need to drop the mtx pill to 4 a week total. My Rheum does believe that the biologics work best when taken with methotrexate.

On MTX for 8 weeks with no progress and too many unwanted side affects. Doctor chose to stop MTX and folic for 2 weeks to make sure the side affects were all related to the MTX. 2 weeks of Prenasone while I wait. I was also diagnosed in late august so still just feeling my way around the fun house.

hope it gets better for both you and me

I don't think I would count on much happening with the mtx at that low of a dose. My doc started with a low dose and added a pill a week until I got onto the full dose, he told me that it can take up to 12 weeks to work at the full dose. I have been on 8 pills a week for the last 2 1/2 years.... added Humira 1 1/2 years ago, and so far the combo is working great.

One thing that I noticed is the side effects from mtx are not consistent. Sometimes the day after I can not stay awake, or get a terrible headache, then other weeks nothing. I also think that the side effects have lessoned the longer on mtx. I do take mine at night on Fridays before bed, that way I can sleep through some side effects... I have woke up to stomach issues but then by morning they are gone.
As far as the side effects from Humira, I have none. Since I have been on mtx and Humira, the only time I have gotten sick was last December when I got the flu and then pneumonia. Missed 3 doses of mtx and one dose of Humira.... took about another 3-4 weeks to get back where I was pain wise because of the missed doses.

Hope this helps and you get on something that helps you.
Cindy

Thanks everyone for weighing in on my mtx tread. Seems like i learn something new everyday. My stomach is doing great now on the 4 pills. My rheumy told me that he probably should have started me on a lower dose and raised it over time as i adjusted. So i do look for him to probably raise my dose back up to 6 pills in the future. The injections sound like a good way to go but i dont know if i could handle that or not. I dont mind for others to stick me right and left but doing it myself is hard for me to imagine. I would be afraid of doing it wrong. If they had a dummyproof method then i could probably handle it.
Mariaduenas,
Is that low of a mtx dose common and is that once a week?
RayAA,
I have my eye on your posts since our diagnosis, treatment, and time dealing with this is all so simular. Hope you get your side effects straight with your mtx or find something else thats works.

This may sound silly but I wish I could use methotrexate. It is the one drug that really helps the RA. Unfortunately I have other health issues that takes it off my list.

Know that different drugs work for different people. I have tried and failed with a number of them. I am currently down to Enbrel and prednisone. I hate the prednisone and its side effects, but I don't have any choice. It's either take the stuff or stay in bed, which is not a viable o[ption.