Hi JC,
Welcome to DS. I've been here since Oct 2010 when I was diagnosed with RA. My meds sound a lot like yours. I had been on hydroxychloroquine for about a year when I developed swelling, so the rheumy said it wasn't helping (obviously!). I was switched to methotrexate. Was on that for 2 months orally, when it didn't do much, they started me on injectable MTX. Just added Humira -had 2nd shot a week ago.
It can take 3 months for MTX to work. They usually start you at a fairly low dose and slowly increase it to help your body adjust to it. You also have to have regular bloodwork (usually monthly) to make sure it's not affecting your liver. I personally had no side effects from the MTX - lots of times people will go from the oral to injectable b/c of nausea, but I had none. I did develop elevated liver enzymes when on injectable. Stopped MTX, and liver tests were back to normal. Have started again but at a lower dose. Hopefully your doc will give you an Rx of folic acid to go with the MTX - counteracts some of potential side effects like mild hair loss, mouth sores, etc. Overall, I've tolerated it pretty well - I do my MTX dose on Saturday night. Sometimes kinda sleepy on Sunday, but fine for work on Monday morning. Lots of times it seems like rheumy's want you to be on MTX awhile before adding a biologic drug, usually about 2-3 mos. But with insurance red tape sometimes it seems like it takes foreever to get things in place, so maybe it's good that you are starting the process now!! I have just had 2 doses of Humira - usually you do 2 per month - really have had no side effects- but don't really know if it's working yet. Overall, I've tolerated both meds well so far - but MTX has only given me a partial response at best, and probably too soon to tell w/ Humira. All the best to you - fingers crossed that they work well for you JC. Keep us posted!

I took my first dose (4 pills) last night before bed, along with the folic acid...Woke up during the night with stomach cramps... a little tired today but not sure if it's the MTX or the fact that I slept so poorly last night... maybe a compbination of both. :) Starting Humira next week. Thank you so much for the post.Have a wonderful day!

JC

Welcome! :) I'm new, too....have had RA for 5+yrs. Did Plaquinil first, then Methotrexate....then off meds to have a baby, then back on Plaquinil (didn't work at all second time around), on to Methotrexate for 6months, hasn't been helping....so now on to Humira. I couldn't tolerate the oral Methotrexate, so I do injections. I will say I still get nauseated from it...but not as bad as the oral doses. I start Humira as soon as I pick it up from the pharmacy! Scared to death of it, just from side effects I've read about...but gotta do it for quality of life! I have two little kiddos to chase around. :) Good luck!

JC, I've been on methotrexate for about 8 months along with Plaquenil and Folic Acid. I take the Methotrexate orally and it gives me the same cramps that you get. About an hour after I take it, I get such bad cramps and nasea nausea that I can't do anything for at least 12 hours. Taking it at night before bedtime does help some. I usually take it the night before a day off work because I know that I will feel physically drained the day after taking it. I have taken Humira before and for me I felt almost immediate relief. Unfortunately I came down with Mono and had to stop methotrexate and Humira due to their side effect of lowering your immune system. Taking them together was great relief to me physically. Just be careful being around anyone that is sick. Good luck.