i don't know tami how mtx works.

takes down inflammation? or it interferes with the production of synovial fluid in our joints.

in general, kills rapidly dividing cells...i didn't think I had that many rapidly dividing cells in my brain....

aleve does not work after you have a dental implant. I am at work and about to keel over. I am happy to see that the dental surgeons are as cavalier as the rheumatologists :) i also note that neither of the dental surgeons yesterday had been lucky enough to receive implants, yet.

:)

Ros

mtx prevents cells from using folate to make DNA and RNA - in cancer, cancer cells need DNA/RNA to replicate, so mtx stops the replication of cancer cells. for us, it slows replication of cells in the immune system, leading to less inflammation and a suppressed immune system. the only link between mtx and the brain i can find references the myelin sheath edema:

http://www.ajnr.org/content/31/9/E77.full

it seems that this is a rare case, especially among oral mtx. even with iv mtx, it says like 6 cases were reported.

having said that, it's highly likely that many of us are experiencing some emotional effects from the diagnosis alone. then add in the emotional effects of the daily pain, the lifestyle changs, etc. at that point, ANY tiny change in how we feel due to the meds would seem huge.

lori, you mention taking tramadol as well. from what i've heard, withdrawal from tramadol can cause severe mood swings and emotional issues. even if you still take it regularly, each dosage comes with a withdrawal effect as the drug leaves your system. perhaps it's medications other than mtx contributing to the emotional roller coaster.

steh I took mtx as a stand alone.

my reality was my reality outside of pharma.

and frankly, I am your emotional rock, type.

if I falter my whole house of cards goes down.

I am on orencia alone, now. prior biologics alone before.

there was nothing else to attribute it to. i got my brains back when I went off mtx. i can't be the only working 50 hour professional that could not deal with mtx at the prime of a career while supporting an entire household and trying to launch two kids in college.

the only thing that would have worked for me is quitting work and weaving my entire life around when I took the mtx and doing self care for the side affects of it.

i did not have that option.

i am like a good canary in a mine. I don't take prednisone. I don't take narcotics. i don't take any psychotropic meds.

I was on: b 12, folic, vitamin d, probiotic, mtx injectable, and taking echinacea on a vegan diet with an exercise regime.

i am years into the diagnosis and I was then too.

the nice thing is when the rheumatologist validated it. and that was the end of that. it it noted in my chart.

Ros

I was doing so serious research on MTX and found the following:

Central Nervous System: Headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision, transient blindness, speech impairment including dysarthria and aphasia, hemiparesis, paresis and convulsions have also occurred following administration of Methotrexate. Following low doses, there have been occasional reports of transient subtle cognitive dysfunction, mood alteration, unusual cranial sensations, leukoencephalopathy, or encephalopathy

I got it from this page http://www.drugs.com/pro/methotrexate.html

So we are not crazy in thinking it is effecting our though processes and moods.

I am worried. Just diagnosed with RA about 2 weeks ago. I was given steroid shot and methylypresidone taper. Also put on lyrica for fibromyalgia . He is waiting on bloodwork to return showing my liver levels before starting on RA meds. Scared of what meds could do. I am an active wife and grandmother and I want to stay that way, but I know the pain and if med will help. I just hate the trial and error stage.