5th Day!!

Well its 5 days since I had my dose of MTX yet still feel crap, is this normal?

[Tillytop]

Hello Flanners,

Sorry you are struggling so much.

Re the mtx - are you talking about feeling rough because of mtx side effects or feeling rough because you are seeing no RA improvements yet?

If it's mtx side effects, mtx is a strong drug and it can take some getting used to. I know from what I read on here that, for some people, they struggle with side effects for a while but gradually they subside as you get used to the drug.

If, on the other hand, you are concerned that you are not yet feeling any better RA wise, then try not to despair (easier said than done I know). It's a sad fact that few of the RA meds are quick to work. It's a while since I took mtx but I think I'm right in remembering that the stated timescale for it starting to help is anywhere between 2 - 12 weeks. I've had RA for many years now but, for me, one of the hardest things to deal with is the fact that nobody can say for sure which drugs will work - and how well - for which people, and how long they will take to start helping if they are going to. I know it's really hard but hopefully the mtx will work as well for you as it did for me and you will start to feel a lot better.

Tillyx

[Hidden in reply to Tillytop]

Yes tilly its the side affects but like you and others have said it will get better.

As I`m new to this I`ve panicked a little.

Tom x

[Riedenise]

Hello Flanners,

Like Tilly has said it can take up to 12 weeks for the meds to start woking. for me it was about 10 weeks I started noticing a real difference in the pain/swelling of my hands/fingers.

Now the side effects of nausea/ that yukky feeling was worse at the beginning & use to last almost the whole week & then it was time to take my Mtx again! it seemed to last for me well into the 12 week mark. They upped my MTX from 15mg to 20mg but that was too much of a jump for me & I never felt so ill!! Im now settled on 17.5 mtx & seem to be tolerating it.

Though I still have the dreaded fatigue most days & the 'brain fog' many talk about.

Persevere with it, it does get better, but if you cant tolerate it there are other Dmards they can try & different combination of drugs.

Good luck. take care

Rie xx

[Hidden in reply to Riedenise]

Thank you!

Its going to be a long hard road but feeling better about things now I`ve found this site.

[Hidden]

Tom,

You now have to learn patience I am afraid. MTX has some powerful side effects and in most cases that I know of it may take up to three months before you start to see any improvement in your RA. Read the blurb that goes with your meds and start keeping a note of them. It may help if you change the time of day. Also you may find if you ask the GP, or Rheumatology nurse that you can increase folic acid supplement. I know that did help me. As has already been said, it should get better as your body adapts however if not, there are many other DMARDS out there.

I found this was the worst time for me, just newly diagnosed and taking medication that made me feel worse, not better....stay strong, drink lots of water,not alcohol....and listen to your body and rest as much as you can.

Katie

[Poppymichael7]

It is so good to be able to read about other people with this illness. I'm just diagnosed in March and didn't see rhumy till last month. Have just had my second dose of MXT this morning. I've had no side effects as such,so far just a bit of a fuzzy head. I also have other illnesses but I feel I'm a bit old to be starting with this as ill soon be 70. It's the tiredness I find very hard to deal with as the other illnesses I have all have tiredness and fatigue as side effects as well. There are some days when I lie down for a sleep I wish I won't get up again. Sorry to be morose but that's how I feel.

[Hidden in reply to Poppymichael7]

Hang in there but I do understand how your feeling, if you've not had any side affects from MXT then that's a positive!

Believe me its not nice, good luck!

[hev53]

Hi Flanners, I am into week two of mine and I feel worse than I did last week so I guess it is pretty normal. Stay with it. And just try to treat the side effects as they happen. As my GP said yesterday the benefits outweigh the intial side effects we have to go through. Good luck. Hang on in there.

[Hidden in reply to hev53]

Hi hev53

You have responded to a post I put up 8 months ago thank you anyway!

Things did get better for me after taking mtx for couple of months.