I have been on Methotrexate since early February and I have had absolutely no side affects from it other than what I call a brain fog some days. I can live with that more than the joint pain. I am also taking Humira injections and today the doctor prescribed plaquenil to the mix and I am starting to get worried about so many medications and their affects long term so I understand what you are saying. That being said, so far so good. My doctor told me after ten years on methotrexate I could have liver biopsy done to make sure all is still well.

Redpoppy- don't feel defeated! This is not a mind over matter disease or we all wouldn't be in this state. I have been on MTX since March and the worst I have experienced is tiredness the day after and sometimes some lightheadedness.

An increase in my Folic Acid dose, some vitamin B12 and lots of water have helped both a lot. The drugs are not fun, but this is a very serious disease- with serious consequences if it's not taken care of. I try to think of all the people who came before us who didn't have these options and ended up with very low quality of life.

Good luck, I hope you get some relief soon!

I am planning to talk to my rheumy about methotrexate again on Thursday. My former rheumy had me on it for about 5 weeks a year or so ago and I had some side effects with it - injection site reactions, itchy, swollen - and I had really bad mouth sores, nasal sores and even vaginal sores. BUT I was only taking 1 mg folic acid and instead of my rheumy making any changes to it she just said stop taking it then. Don't let me scare you though because I'm actually considering trying it again with my new rheumy. I want to talk to him about trying the preservative free kind to hopefully avoid the injection site reactions I had and I want to talk to him about the folic acid because I've read about several people on this board taking more than 1 mg. So those side effects could have been worked out instead of just stopping it - at least that's what I'm wondering now.
The 400 mg plaquenil I'm on now is not enough. I need to add something. I'm willing to try the methotrexate again and/or add a biologic if he wants to. The problem with me is I also have a primary immune deficiency meaning my immune system is already too low to begin with so we really have to be careful with any meds that lower it more............ Good luck with your methotrexate. I hope it works very well for you.

I was so scared of the MTX. I was just sure that it was going to be horrible and that I would be deadly sick and all my hair would fall out! You know what happened? Nothing. lol I'm usually a little tired the day after I take it, so I take it on Saturdays so I can sleep it off if I need to on Sundays, but other than that (and a little hair shedding) I've had no other side effects since I started taking it in Feb of this year. Good luck!

Poppy

This is indeed a hard time for you.

You have made this decision after having valiantly tried other ways of managing RA. That makes you strong.....not defeated. You have shown courage in trying another path for yourself and now you are showing courage in making this decision.

Despite the fear you're doing it anyway. You're looking after yourself and taking hold of another way to make peace with the symptoms. That's brave and I admire you.

Observe what is strong in you - the ability to use the power of magical thinking.

Wishing you much much more magic *s

Thank you all so much for your comments. I have swallowed my pills and have taken a leap of faith with this new medication. Hopefully I will see the benefits in a few weeks. I am looking for improved range of motion and stamina so here's hoping. Everyone take good care of your joints. Its nice to know that I am in the company of others who understand what this disease means. And souloist...thanks for believing in the magic of life with me.

Hi redpoppy,

Pls don't feel defeated, it takes courage to try & believe that you will be okay without the hard drugs. It might be magical thinking as you say, or maybe denial but sometimes it takes a while to have that reality check.

I have been on MTX 25mgs for 3 years & initially I lost lots of hair (thankfully it was thick to start with) but hair did grow back after a year. I suffer from fatigue on it too. Try & drink lots of water when you are on it.

Also, I was told by pharmacist to double flush the toilet after doing a poo as the MTX is expelled this way. Sorry, didn't want to shock you with such detail but as my kids were very little when I started on it I was advised to do this & be extra careful with toilet hygiene.

Let us know how you go on it.

Take care, Anna