I have been on mtx since 2009. Started in 2006 but taken off for a year when liver enzymes elevated. It has worked reasonably well (in my opinion nothing really stops this disease totally) until the middle of this year when getting significant new issues.

In Sept rheumy added plaquenil. Supposed to build up to 2 tabs of 200mg each a day. Started on one but reduced to every other day because of gut issues. In terms of the RA was quite wonderful. Rheumy says plaquenil takes a while to work but can make a difference instantly for some. Whether psyco somatic or real I dont know but so helped RA within week even taken every other day.

Started to build up to one daily as body adjusting. Then had elevated creatinine (kidney function marker) tests soar. So
now been taken off it and some herbal tablets I also taking to help mood. It may get re introduced if the test settles down - all this only just happened so will be a few weeks of experimenting. I am sad as thought I might have a new helpful cocktail.

You havent other replies yet but hope you can get some more info. This site is always useful to get real people's experiences as opposed to a kind of median the medicos will give.

Camba, thanks so much for the information! I hope they get you going down the right path again soon. That is good to here that you can be on MTX for long periods that's encouraging to me

I have been on MTX probably 10 out of the last 13 yrs. I have been off while having surgeries. I am back on both Plaquenil and MTX. IT took about 3 weeks for me to fill some help. I feel a little better for about 5 days after I take the MTX. I know when it is due again. LOL. I think it worked better for me when I did the injection instead of the pills. We have a shortage of the serum without preservative so I am forced to take the tablets. Good luck on the trial. Be patient and keep a journal for your rheumatologist. It helps my Dr and I determine what treatment to try.

Hi Tk, I don't know if this is of much assistance, but I have been on and off MTX for several years now. I just went back on a few months ago and am now taking it with Plaquenil and Rituxan because I had a lot of stiffness and needed something different in my cocktail as we say. I am feeling pretty good these days. I am one who does not care to be in pain. If I cannot break the pain cycle I call my Rheumatologist so meds can be changed around or something new can be added. I really think Plaquenil helps alot with RA. You must have frequent eye exams since it can cause vision changes though the apparent risk is low. I was on MTX previously for about 2-3 years or so and I was on high dosages where I had to give myself injections. because it was too high of a dose. Hope you get some relief when you start your new regime.

Tk. I have been on mtx and plaquenil since 2004..mtx is injectable had to go off the plaquenil and replaced that with meloxicam..I am always in some pain..some days more than others..Today I found out I now have planter facsitis and reunauds .... they are making inserts for my shoes.. may take 1-2-3- weeks before I get them...Now I have the never ending splits in the tips of my fingers like paper cuts...I have learned to fight through the pain on the bad days and keep moving as much as possable..my foot problems have slowed me down now but I am still moving..slowly but moving...Hope you find the right cocktail to help with your r.a.

Tk, I am both. The plaque nil was added a couple of months ago and I keep forgetting the 2nd pill at night but I am feeling better. I do have to take Vicodin once a day to keep working. Good luck and hugs.

Thank you all for your input! I feel so much better making this choice. I have a wonderful pharmacist who is so pro-natural and healing and my daughter is a natural foodie so they are squaking like crazy about the drugs. I love them dearly but I do NOT want to be in constant pain. I am going forward with the treatment and will expect the most positive results!! You all are a wonderful support and I am thankful for you all!!!

Most people with RA are on MTX. Some of them on a very long term basis. It is often used with other medications and as background medication to biologics.

I happened to be one of those people who did not tolerate it and was not helped much by it. I was on it for nine months and I feel like I was robbed of nine months of my life.

Everyone is different, give it a try, but if you are not tolerating it or benefiting from it, get off of it! My rheumy kept saying give it more time. I wish I hadn't.

Another reason to try it is that is also a hoop you have to jump through to move on to any other medications, like a biologic. So, either it will work for you or of it doesn't it will move you closer to other possible treatments.

Good luck!