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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KiddoGal 09/09/2009

I have been on Ebrel for almost three months. About five to six weeks ago, my doctor added methotrexate to the mix. I started with 2 pills per week, but because I was not improving, my doctor upped the mtx pills to four per week. I actually noticed some improvement at 4 pills per week. (yahoo!!) However, I have also noticed that in the last four weeks my vision has become noticibly worse. I can still see fine, but definitely I have a vision change! I have an appt with an opthamalogist this Friday. I have read that one of the side effects of mtx and enbrel is "vision changes" Question: Have any of you experienced vision problems after going on Enbrel or Methotrexate?

deleted_user 09/09/2009

My vision problems are from the RA, there are times when I swear I need a new RX for my glasses. It comes and goes though and started before the metho or the Enbrel. If anything, it's gotten better since the Enbrel.

BUt I guess it's possible it's the meds, although the only one that they told me would affect my eye's was the plaquenil.

deleted_user 09/09/2009

I have been on Methotrexate after being diagnosed in the last 2.5 months (by the way it's a horrible drug). I have also noticed that my vision is getting worse.. My hair is also getting thinner and dry and my nails keep breaking and peeling.. Does anyone know how long it takes for this drug to cure the RA?? I've always been very active and fit and now can barely walk the up stairs..

deleted_user 09/09/2009

I had bad vision to begin with but I do have to get examinations annually to at least check to be sure Plaquenil isn't impacting vision. My sight was been worse, but I don't know if that would have happened anyway or not. The plaquenil impact was nil according to opthalmologist though.

deleted_user 09/09/2009

My vision changes, too - but I mostly notice this in relation to how dry my eyes are (which corresponds with how I'm feeling) - this was happening before my dx, so I believe it's an RA thing for me, not a drug thing.

bigiblue 09/10/2009

Kim
Fist of all there is no cure for RA. The mtx your on is to prevent inflammationa and diformity. Drink lots of water the day before. I mean lots. On the day you take mtx drink lots of water and eat a big meal before you take it. Also take Folic Acid at least 1000mg/day.
I also take vitamin b100 for energy and it helps with the nails and hair.
I also take lots of other vit calcium, D E Lutein for the eyes, (recommended by my Eye Dr.), magnesium, mangosteen jc. and probably more.
It takes about 6 mos to finally kick in. I ahve been only on it for 4, but see some improvements already.
Good Luck to you.
bigi

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