Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory, multisystem, autoimmune disorder. It is a disabling and painful condition which can lead to substantial loss of mobility due to pain and joint destruction. The disease is also systemic in that it often also affects many extra-articular tissues throughout the body including the skin, blood vessels, heart, lungs, and...

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METHOTREXATE

VoodooPrincess
VoodooPrincess
Need some advise please!! My doctor wants me to start on methotrexate. I have put it off due to fear of side effects. I was on plaquenil at one time and remember it made me very sick for the first month i was on it. Did not see much benefit from that medication so after several years went off of it. Just wondering if it is worth bothering with or if side effects out way the benefits. Would appreciate some honest answers! Thanks!
deleted_user
deleted_user
Hi, I'm 53 just diagnosed a few weeks ago, I started Meth 2 1/2 weeks ago, 10 mg RA started up in my feet, last three toes and under the ball of my foot, wow the stinging pain and swelling to walk, or even have the covers over them in the night time, WELL I was nervous about this drug, BUT I don't know if it's just beginners luck But dose 2 was this past Thursday, and Saturday I was like Woooo wait a sec, my feet hardly hurt, and Monday I was like What RA? I haven't watched what I was eating, am waiting a little bit on that, (cause I really NEED to gain some weight)
I have no side affects for taking it, I know it can play havic on the liver, I go for my first blood tests in 2 weeks, I'm being careful in the sun.. But still out there When we have it shinning here, I'm just wondering Do I have to be on this now for the rest of my life, to keep it under conrol? or maybe They can try something that isn't so invasive on the body for the future?
deleted_user
deleted_user
I started MTX a month ago, and it does help...a lot, but my liver enzymes are too high. Had to stop it, at least for a while. I have read this is a common problem when many people first start to take MTX. I don't know what to advise you really. Best Wishes, V
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've been on MTX since April 2010. You'll identify your own side effects and timing. The worst I get is brain fog and nausea, so i take it at bedtime. I had to split my dose because of the length of the brain fog effect, but it works really well. As a DMARD, it is a drug that will allow you to be able to use biologics like Enbrel and Humira more effectively. Do be careful in the sun. I found recently the I get really itchy with too much exposure while I am taking the MTX. It's no biggie, though.

I hope that a different drug with fewer side effects will be developed at some point. For right now, though, MTX is the gold standard of the DMARDs and the one drug we all love to hate.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I've been on it ,with Plaquenil and Folic acid for less than 2 months and at first I was very tired,but that's a little better. No really bad symptoms.
I just increased it and will be starting Enbrel or Humira in a few weeks.
VoodooPrincess
VoodooPrincess
Thanks for all your info!!
achymom
achymom
I've been on 20mg injected, since diagnosed last summer. First few weeks I was pretty tired after the shot, but thankfully after that I've had no reactions. The combo of MTX and plaquenil got a bad case of RA under control quickly. I've since also added enbrel to the mix...