MTX doesn't "strengthen" the immune system. But it does [simplistically stated] lower the body's response to certain [Rx] antibodies.

Your first step is to do some research about RA treatment. Google the term "DMARDS." These are the drugs she needs [and MTX is one of them].

Exactly what happened that caused her to go into the hospital? And how did they decide it was the MTX that caused it?

I know some people disagree but the consensus is that over the counter pills and supplements are worthless against RA. Successful RA treatment actually involves targeted suppression of the immune system to prevent it from attacking a person's joints. That's what the disease is.

Not knowing why your mother was hospitalized or if it was related to the methotrexate, I can only suggest that she insist that her Dr (hopefully a Rheumatologist) who prescribed the Methotrexate find some other combination of DMARD's (disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) that are effective for her in reducing RA symptoms without exacerbating any other condition she may have. Self prescribed supplements and medications won't help and may even make things worse.

Long before I had RA, I was always sick with bronchitis, and pneumonias. I concluded that I was not getting enough of vitamins or minerals. A non-systematic approach revealed that I really needed more Vitamins A & D and zinc. My mom, who has nothing wrong with her (87) also found lack of zinc resulted in colds for her.

Not sure if this is just about my family, and some genetic thing, but you might want to get her tested for deficiencies. A lot of people who have RA are very low in Vitamin D. But be careful, because some of these supplements are retained by the liver, and you can get toxicity! So always work with the doctor on this issue.

PS. I forgot - none of these supplements help my RA in any way. They are just to help with infections and other non-RA issues.

I do little to nothing to support my immune system. RA is sort of an over-active immune system or a haywire immune system - attacking itself. The meds are intended to slow down that process, invert simple layman's talk. For myself - having RA for 30+ years - I never get sick with colds or flus. I did have pleurisy once because of RA fluid in the lining of my lungs,

Everyone is different. There are treatments that do not require MTX - such as Zeljanz, She needs to talk to her Rheumatologist.

NO NATURAL SUPPLEMENT is going to stop the progression of the disease!! They can help alleviate symptoms, but will not stop crippling or organ damage.

Thanks for all the help and insight.

She was very low in Vitamin D - so she is on Vitamin D vitamins right now.

They had mentioned that she got sick from the Methodrexate because she got an infection. She normally is VERY prone to infections as well as so many other things; she has barely any eye sight, 1 leg, etc. The last thing she wants to be put into a hospital again. She initially got a very bad UTI and they said the UTI was from the methotrexate (because it lowers the immune system) and then when she was in the hospital for 3 days due to the UTI and Flu, she got a very bad foot infection.

Obviously we know how bad RA can get and I know she needs to get help. But my mom is terrified of getting another infection and being sent to a hospital because they treat her terribly and we have no money. She was happy taking the Hydroxychloroquine but got a severe allergy to it and also cost her over $500 each month in medicine so we had to order it from Canada for 2 months which was a waste of time because it took FOREVER.

I would like to get her back on Methodrexate.... I don't know if it worked because I didn't see any changes and she was not on it for very long - I'm also not sure what I'm looking for. I hate to see my mom suffer but she's too scared to try anything. I will be making her an RA appointment for next week and hopefully we don't have to order from Canada again and she also won't have to go to the hospital again.

If she is only taking mthx, I find it surprising her immune system is be so suppressed by it. I take 4 drugs which lower the immune system, including mthx and again, as long as I keep up on the vitamins and minerals, I am healthier than before I got RA - infection wise. Not RA wise, of course!

I hope you find some answers to this problem.

I have to agree with Marlene. For starters, with MTX the doctors require bloodwork to check the various cell function levels very frequently. At the same time, they are checking the liver function.

How long was your mom on MTX and at what dose? How often was she having bloodwork?

After all these years on MTX, no one could ever blame anything on MTX. Sure, it may have made me more susceptible to some bug going around.....but I was fastidious in washing my hands and staying clear of sick people.....so I never caught much. In fact, I've been without a cold or bug in over 5-6 years.

I don't remember the dosage... but I do know it was only 1 pill a day at night - and she was probably on it for 4 months or thereabouts.