Hi, it's good to hear that MTX is helping you. I've been on weekly MTX injections for over a year since my RA diagnosis and my liver tests are okay. I'm also on other RA drugs as MTX wasn't enough for my RA but our treatment is all unique. Initially, my Doctor would give me the MTX but after a couple of months and when I was feeling braver, I began to give it to myself intramuscularly in my thigh. To be honest, sometimes I still cringe when I do it, I need to stay positive and talk myself into it. But when I feel like I need a break from giving myself the shots then I go back to my Doctor who will give them to me. My Doctor says that there is no way that he could ever give himself an intramuscular injection so that always makes me feel brave!
Anyway, be kind to yourself and do what you're comfortable with. Sometimes living with RA requires us to be brave on a daily basis and I know that's all I can manage to do.

Hey bigiblue,

I took MTX via injections for several months. As you don't swallow it, it can help to avoid some digestion issues but I haven't heard that it avoids liver issues. I still needed to have my blood work checked just as frequently to make certain the liver was doing okay on injections and from my understanding the liver still has to process it.

The injections are normally once a week just like your pills. They can be at home by yourself or I do know some people who have a family member or go in and have a nurse do it for them if they don't have the dexterity or other issues that keep them from doing it.

I did not find the injections to hurt any more or less then my daily injections of insulin (I am a type one diabetic as well). Now Enbrel on the other hand even when warmed it to room temperature right before injecting it burned. MTX not so much.

AnnaOz, why do you have to inject intramuscular for your MTX? I know at one time they thought you had to but I thought they had shown this not to be the case. I only had to do mine subcutaneous like my insulin. I have done intramuscular for other issues and those are a real pain to deal with and even with numbing agents hurt. I'd highly look into doing it sub-Q to save yourself a lot of pain if you can.

I just wanted to toss in here that there is more at risk than the liver. The bone marrow, liver, ah pooh, I cant recall all of them right now. Dont ever stray from the blood work no matter what.

G'day Smith 101,
It's interesting that you say MTX can be given sub-Q. It's news to me so I should check it out further as I give myself Enbrel sub-Q and that's much more bearable! I live in Australia and that's what I've been advised by my Rheumy - I'll ask him more at next app't.

Does anyone else give themselves MTX subcutaneously and do you know of research as to most effective way to administer? (i.e. either sub-Q or intramuscularly?)

I had only 2 shots of MTX before it pur my liver counts through the roof and I had to quit it. MTX injections bypass the stomach and dont cause all the pain that the pills can but the liver is the organ the processes all medications. The MTX shots are usually a higher dose of the drug than the pills too so if you already have high liver enzymes its probably not a good idea.

Big, I have taken MTX shots weekly for 9 years. They are quick and easy. I have an individual vial and fill the syringe to the prescribed dose, which for me is .09. I swab my thigh, stick myself and am done. In all the time I have been on the shots I have never had any scares or liver problems. Hope this helps. hugs, marcia

I have not taken Metho (yet) but am told the injections bypass the liver (problems) some experience. IF I go on it, which I am considering (along with my Enbrel) I will definitely choose injectible. The minor pain is worth possible avoidance of liver problems.

Heather

Wannabe, I am not sure that you are correct about the MTX injections bypassing your liver. I still have to take blood tests ever 8 weeks to make sure my liver has not gone toxic on me, as I have taken the shots 9 years. I went to the injectable because the hihest dose of pills didn't help, so my rheumy asked me to try the injectable to see if it worked and it did. The plus about any injectable is that it is absorbed by the blooodstream immediately, whereas pills have to dissolve into your system.Good luck, marcia

I did MTX injections and they do not bypass the liver. You still have to have enzymes worked up because the liver processes practically everything. As for Sub-Q, that is how I gave myself my MTX for the year I was on it. I alternated between thighs and stomach and occasionally got nurses I work with to give them in the backs of my arms where I could not reach myself. However, MTX made me dizzy I walked into walls and fell down stairs. But, if it works for you, try it.

Jen in VA

I take MTX injections (sub cutaneously) once a week - 8 cc's. I also take Leukovorin the day after (follonic acid) and I take Folic acid and Plaquenil daily. I have my liver enzymes and WBC panel done every other month now, since I haven't had any ill effects from MTX personally. BUT - it can impact liver, so it does still need to be checked. What this does for me is two-fold: 1) I don't get the nausea and loopiness that I did with the pills and 2) the shot is way more effective for me than the pills were. Good luck, Lisa