Hi oceans11

'ole Bluedogs2 had the same results when I first started MTX. Fatigue and achy knuckles the 1st day after and better toward the next dosing. After 7 months, nothing, good or bad so we upped the dose to 8 pills a week - hard for me to tell if the increase helped, but I don't think so - knuckles always hurt now and can not grip a softball - hands, knees and hips are struggling -

May have to up it again to the max of 10 pills - not sure yet, but to answer your question, for me, yes

Peace
Bluedogs2

i take my 8 pills saturday night, usually take it easy on sunday and monday if possible. i'm hoping that stops because i can't afford to lose two days a week. i have not had very good results with mtx alone, so i've recently added a biologic.

I take my MTX on Saturday night...Sunday still feel the RA pain and stiffness...then I feel nausea and the RA pain on Monday and Tuesday ... then the nausea goes away and I start to feel no pain on Tuesday evening through Thursday... then by Friday I start to feel the aches and pains again... Saturday night I feel like taking the meds again...but by Monday afternoon I wonder why did I take them again.... LOL but this Saturday will be only my 4th week on them.... I take prednisone, plaquenil, MTX, and folic acid...but I am going to hang in there and try for the 2 to 3 months with the hopes it all gets better.

carrottop, i noticed the nausea side effect went away around week 5 or 6 if i remember correctly. i took ginger hard candies for the nausea days.

Okay so it appears it's not uncommon then. I would think just by conventional wisdom that you would feel better the day after with symptoms returning by the end of week NOT getting better by end of week.

Oh well, i guess this is just a natural tendency of MTX.

Yes, I notice that too. I take mine Wed night with dinner. Then I am super fatigued the next two days. Finally around Tuesday I feel better and then it's time for my weekly dosage the next day. So really one good day! I am hopeful this is going to improve as I get more weeks under my belt. I still have some swelling. You?

ive been taking MTX since diagnosed in 2011, I was up to 10 so put n Enbrel along with and now im back up to 7 pills plus the shot ive been taking both for over a year now ,anyways I never felt the nausea until recently.my flare ups and nausea and beng unable to sleep some nights have gotten much worse this winter . I know I didn't help with ur question any but that's my story. I hope u start to feel better soon

As to the swelling, mine went away to the point where I can get my rings back on after about 21/2 or 3 months, but please remember, we are all different and what happened to and for the 'ole guy may not be all inclusive

Here's to a better New Year and HOLD THE KALE for the 'ole guy

Peace
Bluedogs2

@Bluedogs2,

I hear ya! The only thing I try to avoid at all costs is knocking on a door. I push doorbell now! LOL

Other then that, so far so good for me on the MTX alone at 6 pills per week. I have a little nausea on Monday till about late Tuesday but nothing that some Ginger Ale or at very worst some OTC Dramamine doesn't quell. Other then that I don't really feel any effects of the RA especially like I said at around Friday & Saturday it's like my old self. But like you said we're all different.

So far I'm up to six pills. Always feel best the next day. But note I have always fallen in the small percentage for everything.

I have been on methotrexate since 2010. I am done to 6 a week that I take on Saturday night. I know take 3 on Saturday and 3 on Sunday. I feel lousy on Sundays, tired blah feeling. I added folic acid too. Mr. rheumy suggested to take a cough syrup with DM on Sunday he said some other patients have felt better. Anyone heard of this? I may try it this weekend. Also starting a diet Jan 1 2014 to see if I feel better throughout the year. cutting down on sugar and carbs.
Kate