I've gone through this a few times. For me, the meds didn't wear off right away. You may not really feel it until it is time to go back on it. It took several weeks for the meds to catch up once I went back on, so my Rheumatologist gave me prednisone to get me through for about 3 - 4 weeks. It helped. My old meds worked fine when I restarted them, so in my opinion, that should be the last thing you should worry about. Surgery and recovery seems like a bigger deal to me. Have you had a bunch of other meds fail on you so that there aren't many left for you to try?

I know it is hard to intentionally do something that you know will upset the apple cart. Maybe your doc will let you have some prednisone in case you do end up in a flare before you get situated back on your normal meds. It might turn out you don't need them, but it would give you peace of mind to have it just in case.

True what Kim said. If you are of your meds for a short time period for surgery it should not be a problem. I only started flaring really bad when i had to go off meds for weeks at a time for serious infections (C-Dif).

It's odd to me though that doc would stop Humira and not MTX.

Been on Humira and MTX combination for over 10 years and have had several surgeries during that period. Went off for two weeks before surgery. Certainly it's your doctor's call, but that sounds like a long stretch. Even in you took the combo today that gives you 3 weeks without drugs.

Also, I was able to resume my drugs the night following surgery.

Isn't your surgery outpatient?

In any case, a few weeks off the drugs shouldn't have an impact.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. My doctor would like me to remain on the MTX as she indicated it will hopefully provide me some relief and that it also helps protect you from building up antibodies to the Humira. She doesn't want me to start the Humira until at least a full week after surgery to allow my botdy time to heal. She also informed me that I will probably have some flareups - this is why I am concerned. I really like my doctor and trust what she says. Hopefully it won't be problematic.

I've been off MTX and Actemra for almost three weeks and I can certainly tell it. I'm with Gal, don't understand why RA allowed the MTX to continue. You'll make it through darwin, it may be a roller coaster ride but the ride will end.

Hi-- I'm new here. Just diagnosed with RA at age 43. Darwin 73- I know you had mentioned on one of your posts you lived in the DC area. I do as well and can not seem to find any face to face support groups. The Rheum. says we caught it very early, but that still does not make me feel all that better! I start methotrexate this weekend.. Physically I don't feel horrible other than wrist pain at this point and some MTP pain that my shoe orthotics take the edge off for. I just died what I'm in for!