Is anyone on the weekly injections for Methotrexate? If so, could you contact me please and tell me what it does?

[maddieparr]

I';ve only just been prescribed these injections and I still have no idea what the medication does.. Someone help? I'm only 16.

[helixhelix]

Hi Maddie

Methotrexate is a strong medicine that is used to control a range of autoimmune diseases (which are diseases where your immune system that protects you against all sorts of things starts to go wrong and work against you), not just the one that the people on this site have which is Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is a very effective medicine, but can give some side effects and takes time to get used to so it is very unlikely that anyone would suggest it for you without a good reason.

But you really do need to speak to your doctors and ask them to explain it to you, and tell you exactly why they think it will help you, and what you should expect it to do for you. It is your body, and just because you are under 18 it shouldn't mean that people can tell you to take things without explaining them. Good luck. Polly

[LavendarLady]

Hi Maddie, I agree with Polly, Your GP /consultant should have explained all this to you and given you a booklet about it. MTX is a very toxic drug which in much higher doses is given to cancer patients to control symptoms and help with other problems they have.

In the dosage we receive (no more than 25 mg by tablet or injection) there are side effects usually sickness and nausea which is not as bad with the injections as it is with the tablets. It usually only lasts for a short time and you can get medication from your GP to control the sickness if it is bad and causing you problems. MTX also takes a few weeks to kick in properly and get to grips with the Arthritis symptoms. It will reduce inflammation and pain particularly coupled with other drugs prescribed for RA.

However, it also means that you will get more infections such as colds as MTX suppresses the immune system which is causing all the problems in the first place! However, most of us put up with the extra colds etc just to be free of pain and inflammation.

You will have regular blood tests to monitor liver and kidneys and should also have chest x rays (I assume you had one before they started you on the MTX?) from time to time as MTX can affect heart and lungs.

Hope this helps but do speak to your GP/Consultant about it. Good luck. LavendarLady x

[Maskat2324]

Hi there,

I agree your GP or pharmacisit should have explained it more.

I have two children with two different forms of severe arthritis. My 16 son is on MTX inj and Humera, and my 14 daughter takes MTX and Remicaide. The immune system is an issue but about a year ago their rhumetologist suggested a good multi vitamin and so they both started one and knock on wood their immune system has done ok. They have monthly blood work done to monitor liver and kidneys.

It has worked really good for my daughter but my son is still struggling to find the right combination of medication. In their cases the good out weighted the bad.

Hope this helps, but I would still talk to the GP or Pharmacist and if your still not clear contact the Arthritis Foundation and they too will send you information.

Maskat2324

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi Maddie

A couple of follow up points and some links to sources of information that I think might be helpful.

Firstly, I believe you are based in the UK. The Arthritis Foundation is a US organization, so you would be better off contacting a UK organisation, such as ourselves or Arthritis Care, who have a very good section for young people with arthritis:

arthritiscare.org.uk/Living...

In terms of information specifically on RA, the following articles may help to give you an idea of what the drug does etc:

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

arthritisresearchuk.org/art...

As others have said, it is such a shame that you have not been told more about this drug when it was prescribed.

Just to clear up something that Ruth posted on here, methotrexate was originally used as a cancer medication, but is used in much, much lower doses for RA, so is not in any way like being on chemotherapy. It is often referred to as the 'gold standard' of RA medication and while, as with all drugs, it will not work for everyone, it is the most commonly prescribed RA medication and has a good safety record. If you are concerned about this drug, it may be worth contacting our helpline (0800 298 7650 Mon-Fri 9.30-4.30) or the helpline for Arthritis Care (specifically for young people with arthritis) on 0808 808 2000 (Mon-Fri 10-4).

I hope this helps.

Kind regards

Victoria

NRAS Helpline & Information Coordinator

[Hidden]

Hi Maddie,

I can see you are scared and worried and at 16, that is an awful lot to have to deal with. But, you have come to the right place. As you read all our blogs, you will see, we are all going through much the same things, at different times. We are a wide-spread group in terms of ages. Some of us have had arthritis since your age, or younger, others developed it in more recent years.

Be assured, the goal is for you to manage your arthritis, with the help of the meds and your doctor. The meds are extremely important, as they are intended to stop, or slow down the progression of the disease in your joints. This is so important, to prevent permanent damage to bones as you get older.

I will say one important statement: There is safety in numbers. Perhaps you have heard that. There are many successful stories told here. People who have gotten their meds adjusted enough that they are functioning in a near-normal lifestyle. That is the goal.

You may hear of some other claims of avoiding all meds, and doing other extreme measures in place of them. While research advises a healthy vegetable and fruit diet, and good quality sources of protein, research also shows the way to avoid being a basket ful of deformed bones, unable to walk, or stand, or hold your head up, is to follow the directions of your consultant, take the meds known by research to be useful in the prevention of crippling deformities and weaknesses.

That said, a very low percentage of RA patients ever get even close to what I just described. Because new and better, more bearable drugs are available today than there were 30 yrs ago. Methotrexate is the first line of defense. All of us here have taken it, most of us still do, along with atleast one other.

We all know MTX (abbrev) taken orally, can be upsetting to your stomach, causing nausea. I would suggest you ask your doctor if he would start you on the injectable Methotrexate. It is very simple, a tiny needle, just like a diabetic's insulin needle, so you could do it yourself. Lots of diabetic kids do, most others don't even know they do.

There are some other girls here who started with RA at a very young age, so they will likely be glad to give you encouragement. We want you to be a normal young girl, so try not to worry. Let your doctor know your concerns, that why he's a doctor. All the best hon, let us know how you are. Loret

[Artsymom69]

Maddie.. hi. Ask your dr. Write down everything that you want to know... how long you will have to be on it, what it does, side effects. Etc. he/she can give you the answers. Just know that every person is different. So a thousand people here can have a thousand expeiences. That's why it's best to ask drs. But it does treat many things... and it is a good medicine, otherwise, they wouldn't use it. I'm on the injection. It doesn't hurt, if that is what you are worried about... the needle is very small. :). My kids watch me do it... good luck.