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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Starting Methyltrxate tonight

Eva62
Eva62
Tonight I start my first dose, 4 pills and folic acid. I am scared to death for some reason. I've been on Plaquenil for about two years and have had some relief but not enough relief of the inflammation for my rheumatologist. I also have signs of Sjourgen's and Raynaud's, so we're hoping to get relief there too.

What am I to expect from taking methyltrexate?? Am I going to lose my hair (my biggest fear)?

Eva
deleted_user
deleted_user
I started taking methotrexate 6 weeks ago now and I haven't noticed any hair loss or experienced any of the side effects that I've read about. Hopefully the same goes for you and you can get some relief!
free2beme6060
free2beme6060
I have been on methotrexate for 6 months, no side affects, no hair loss.
These drugs affect everyone differently, so try to relax and take a deep breath. Hopefully this will help. Good luck.
free2beme6060
free2beme6060
Oh I forgot. I was on the pills and they made me so fatigued I could not function. My Rheumy switched me to methotrexate injections and now the terrible fatigue is gone although I do still have some from the RA
bcatz
bcatz
You are going to be very tired and probably have bad nausea. Don't fret. I found I had to take the pills in the evening after dinner the last day of my work week. I felt like I had the flu for 24hrs. I slept! But by the 3rd week, I was just tired the following day. Additionally, take that folic acid as prescribed! It helps counter the side effects I think you don't take it on the day you take the methotrexate though.

Also if you feel sick to your stomach, call your doc and ask for a rx of Zofran. It works in about 30min - like magic!

Lastly don't be afraid. But never miss your bloodwork checks. It affects the liver in lots of us. And it doesn't just skyrocket the liver enzymes. It has a creeper effect.

Hope it works wonders!
PW39
PW39
I have been taking Mtx for 10 weeks now. I had slight nausea from time to time but nothing that made me feel really sick. Stomach cramps and often trips to the restroom for a while. I havent had any noticable fatigue. I have had a couple very small mouth ulcers but they have came and left pretty quick. I was on 6 pills a weeks when i was having all the stomach trouble. My rheumy lowered me to 4 pills and raised my folic acid. This was almost 4 weeks ago and i havent had any noticable side effect since he lowered my dose. Oh yeah, I havent noticed any hair loss either. Hope you do well with it. Good luck.
trishcorsi
trishcorsi
I have been on 6 pills a week for 2 years. Just recently I was having break thru pain and my inflammations levels were up so my rheumy changed me over to 8 pills a week, I have noticed more "side effects", mouth sores and added fatigue. Being on 6 a week I did find I had hair loss even enough that my hairdresser noticed so I found out about Leucovorin-you take 1 tablet 24 hours after mtx and it seems to work. Be religious about your 1,000 mcg folic acid, I have had no noticeable nausea. Good luck. Trish
KiddoGal
KiddoGal
I have been on methotrexate for over 5 years. Sure, I have seen a few of those hair strands down by the drain, but nothing much. I still have all my hair and I have been on as high as 5 pills per week, and am currently on two pills per week. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me!