This is my 4th week of 10m MTX and i have noticed no change , still having pain in shoulders/wrists hands etc, should it be working by now?

[joo10]

Also, i have cut out sugar and have changed to strong expensive omega 3,6,9 ... im worried that MTX wont work for me ....

[LavendarLady]

Hi Joo10, don't worry, MTX can take up to 12 weeks before it really gets going. You're actually on quite a low doseage. Has your Rheumy advised you to take anything else in the meantime to control pain? If not, give the nurses a call to see what they recommend. I was advised to take Nurofen and paracetemol which works for me but you need to check it out first. I also find that putting my hands into cold water seems to take the inflammation down but I know others on this site swear by heat. You take your pick I think. See what works for you. The main thing is to rest when you have a flare as trying to carry on as normal only makes it worse. We have all found that out by trial and error!

Anyway, good luck and do speak to the Rheumy nurse or to your consultant.

LavendarLady

[Nork]

I had to take 25mg of MTX plus Naproxen Sodium daily before I had relief. But the real relief came when they started me on Remicade. Unfortunately, I was allergic and switched to Kineret. Now I take that and have decreased MTX to 10mg and no longer take Naproxen Sodium. Hope you find a combination that works for you.

[julie_warwick]

I have been taking 15mg of mtx for 12 weeks now and no change yet but I believe this is normal, takes along time to kick in if it,s going to. got to take 20mg from today to see if that helps so we'll see , hoping not to get any side effects as so far nothing I can't handle. hang in there you're not on your own x

[Rosie_rabbit]

Hi joo, I was started on 10 of mtx last August and have slowly been increasing the dose as it hasn't helped yet. I'm now in 20mg of mtx and still not sure it's really working. When I saw my gp before Christmas and mentioned this to him he said that the consultants would want me on the higher dose for a few months before ruling it out. So even though I've been on mtx since August I need to be on the higher dose for longer.

In the meantime tho, I've been having depo injections every couple of months. This is a steroid injection in the bum and has given me quite a bit of relief. Hang in there, you shouldn't be left in pain without the offer of anti inflams or steroids or something. There is stuff that can help give you relief so go see your gp or rheumy nurse if you're struggling. Rx

[Lukaduka]

My Rheumy said even 15mg a low dose (and takes 12 weeks to work) but they start you slowly to check your side effects. I was given steroid injections (which really helped whilst the MTX was waiting to kick in.). It is really important to get it under control so I would let them know your symptoms. I also had to add in hydroxycholoquine. It takes a while to find the right combination for you.

[joo10 in reply to Lukaduka]

Thanks everyone, it has decided to come into my jaw now and is agony, but i will be patient and i have an appointment on 30th Jan so will discuss options with Rheumy...u have all been really helpful x