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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Mtx worked dose 1. Need I increase?

AtHomeNow
AtHomeNow
Hi. New to group- I'm seronegative RA on Mobic, placquenil. I took my first dose of methotrexate (4-2.5 mg pills) and felt better! So the next week -like a good girl- I took the 5 pills. Great. Tired for two days, but that's ok. Now I wonder if anyone else experienced this and if they continued to increase the dose to the prescribed 8 pills. Considering long term side effects would the minimum dose be best? (Of course I will ask Rheumy but hey- it's holiday time)
2scicrazed
2scicrazed
Glad you've found the cocktail that works for you so quickly! Watch for the hair loss and greater susceptibility to infections. It looks like you've missed the nausea bullet.
nipper69
nipper69
Hello AHN,
I have been on the 8 pill dose for a few weeks now. I am feeling much less pain but fatigue, nausea, brain fog have increased. I can deal with the side effects since I have much less pain and increased mobility. I assume there is always a trade-off when taking meds. At least I can get through a day of work without much difficulty.

Good luck to you and merry Christmas.
aggie83
aggie83
I've been taking 10 mtx a week for about 18 months. After the first three months, I did not have any side effects. Recently, I had two sinus infections and a tooth infection, meaning I was off the pills for three and a half weeks.... Boy! They do really work well for me! I am in the process of going down to 8 pills per week.
AtHomeNow
AtHomeNow
So do you folks think I should stay on this lower dose of 5 pills per week rather than continuing up to the prescribed 8 pills?
deleted_user
deleted_user
personally I would stay on the lowest dose that works well...
carrottop50
carrottop50
I too would stay on the lowest dose... so maybe if you find out later down the road the lowest dose doesn't work as well you can always talk to your doctor and they would be able to up the dosage as needed. Of course you need to talk with your doctor about this so the 2 of you can decide on what to do.
SecretSurvivor
SecretSurvivor
AtHome...

I, too, am seronegative and on Mobic & Plaquenil. My Rheumatologist just put me on Methotraxate and started me on 5 pills and wants me to work up to 8. Tonight, I am scheduled to take the 7 pills and next week will be up to 8 pills.

So far, I haven't noticed a huge different in pain and I have been pleasantly surprised with the "lack" of side effects. I read up on the drug and was paranoid. So far, I haven't really had any side effects from the MTX except some VERY mild fatigue (not sure if it is just RA fatigue or directly correlates to the MTX dose???)

I, personally, will continue to my 8 pill dose as I haven't seen major improvement, but for you, I would suggest staying at the lowest dose possible if you are experiencing positive changes in pain.

The way my Rheumy described to me, was that the highest dose is usually 10 pills, but he thought I should get relief with 8. He didn't want me on a higher dose if I don't "need" it, because the higher the dose, the more common the side effects (including liver issues.)

Of course, I would put a message into the Rheumy office for your doctor to review and get sound medical advice as to where he/she wants you, but for now, I think you're safe with staying at 5 pills.

Good luck and Happy Holidays!!! :)