Hi Everyone.
Today I started on 10mg of MTX and I have to say im feeling pretty anxious trying to get my head around this drug. I take a folic acid 3 days later. I get bloods every 2 weeks and my dosage goes up as I go along. Im hoping you guys can help settle my mind. Xx
Hi Angie, I started MTX in October, I was also so so worried about it. I have had very few side effects and the benefits are so worth it. Try not to worry.
Ruby
Sounds like a reflection of me 😁
Welcome, and I'm sure you'll be fine. Maybe you'll feel a bit weird at first but it's difficult to say whether it's the meds or just the RA doing it's stuff. Try to stay positive, keep speaking to people about it and make sure you take breaks in between your normal daily routine.
Relax & try to forget all the horror stories,very few people post about how Mtx has helped them, but there must be thousands taking it successfully or it wouldn't be so widely prescribed.
If you do feel a bit off.....ask your rheumy if you should increase the FA,..that usually helps!
I've been taking it for 6 years. It has given me my life back and has been great for me. All the side effects wore off after the first few months and now I just have an extra hour in bed the morning after and otherwise live normally. For most people it's fine, so there's no reason. You should be any different. Drink lots of water, and eat, sleep and exercise and all should be fine.
I agree Helix. I appreciated the helpful advice, the extra water has helped me recover quicker and with fewer side effects!
I felt the same not being able to understand the drug. I'm 43 now, 11 yrs ago i started on 8mg which gradually increased to 20mg which was found to be the correct dosage to control my RA. Ive had no problems. I do take folic acid a few times a week to stop the queaziness. MTX has worked very well for me and many others. Just see how you go. Use this forum for support and very soon you will be helping others. Look after yourself and stay positive.
I've just had my fourth dose on 10mg with FA 3 days later, and so far, so good! Felt a bit iffy shortly after the first dose, but that passed off within an hour or two, and since then I've been fine. Had my first blood test last week and my dose will increase to 15 mg this week, so fingers crossed that it continues this way.
I think its possibly a minority of people who suffer bad side effects, and that's what we tend to hear, about rather than the lots of people who take it without any major problems, so take heart and keep taking the pills! Good luck! 😀
Try taking it before you go to bed and sleep off the effects!
Hullo Soreknees. I'm right behind you! The RA hit me out of the blue like a train. I was in such extreme pain that my GP put me on high-dose codeine straightaway while all the tests went through & I was in front of a consultant, who confirmed the diagnosis, within a very few weeks. I got to the point of walking only with extreme difficulty for short stretches at a time - knew every bench/wall/step in the area - nor did the dratted condition like resting for more than short periods either, and it absolutely hated bed, but the codeine has built up successfully to excellent effect. I am now on my third weekly dose of Mtx 15mgs in the evening, F.A. 5mgs 24hrs later, no side effects so far. Only a queer, short-lived feeling one morning - very similar to when I first became aware of being pregnant!! I continue with my old friend Naproxen ("take everything!" the nurses said), and am continuing with the codeine for the present, but will try reducing as I am now moving well on the whole. Even did a little bit of gardening today. Maybe I had a flare-up which has now subsided. When in investigation I did joke about the Magic Pills I hoped to come by; some sort of pills are definitely magic for very many of us. Hope so for you x
Me too, third dose Sunday night, FA Weds, following to compare, if you look down the post I have put my side effects down xx
Do You mind if I follow you, I am two weeks behind you having taken my third dose tonight, 15mg. I have answered this post with my side effects xx
Sure! Glad to be of any help. This is great site, we all help each other...
Dear Juliachoo, I don't seem to have seen you post for ages, sorry if I missed it. I wondered how you're getting on. We started together I think. I am fortunate in being well controlled at present, though I did have tissue breakdown in my feet, which is apparently another joyous RA thing, but they're almost healed. Also my hair is still thinning, which I'm going to ask about soon, my consultant says it settles down - when!! Otherwise I look and feel well. (Well, I've got a very bad back to have investigated, but that isn't RA, my consultant said it doesn't attack the spine.) x
Dear Juliachoo, have just written you a careful update and it went & deleted itself!! Wailing & nashing of teeth!! It's nearly midnight, can't do it again tonight! T.B.C. Love & Light... And hang in there... x
Hi Everyone. Thank you so much for the support. It really helps knowing youre not alone. I got through my first night with no side effects apart from a touch of anxiety. Today I have a dry mouth. Is that normal? I have to say though, I did a 12 hour shift in work today and felt great. First in a long time Ive been pain free. I was given an injection to kick start me so I guess its helped as I know the drug takes time to work. Im feeling positive about it all now. Just need to convince my fiancé now.
Thank you All
Oh yes, I forgot that I have at times a very dry mouth.
My mum has been on methotrexate for over twenty years and I've been taking it for about fifteen years..... only side affects are queasy after taking them ( folic acid should counter this) and dry mouth. But relatively pain free now. Wonderdrug in my opinion! Xx
Try taking slippery elm supplements with it and some high strength probiotic. I am on 10mg and have very little side effects, but we are all different.
I took it for 7 years worked great. It has stopped working so had to switch to cytoxan. Waiting on improvement
Janet
So im on my 3rd day and I fear its not been the best of days. My head has been thumping all day (I never get headaches) and my tummy has been painful and windy (Im very hardy) Im home from work now and have taken my FA and praying my off day isnt down the the drug! 😔 #stayinghopeful 🤣
Hi, I started MTX just 3 weeks ago, same program as you increasing up to 20mg by next week, had my third dose just tonight, also taking sulphalalazine as well, folic acid 5mg on Weds. I too seem fine until the third day, feel queasy & generally unwell, by the fourth day all I want to do is sleep which lasts until the 6th day, seems to be following a pattern.
So, I'm wondering if it takes 3 days to kick in & if the FA upsets my tummy? Also had very sore throats two weeks on the trot & a couple of nasty sores around my lips, probably caused by the dryness. I will keep an eye on your post as running parallel to me, hope you feel better soon xx
My "funny feeling" was on the 4th day. But I was told to contact my Rheumatology nurses with any symptoms like you have, sores round mouth etc. Good luck.
Hi my RA nurse upped my FA to 6 days a week due to side effects, touch wood am not so bad now although I do have an "off" day (dressing gown day) 3-4 days after taking the MTX xx
Hullo Juliachoo. You asked for report as we are so close together in treatment history. I am about to take my 5th MX dose this evening, F.A. tomorrow evening. Am v lucky to be improving, I now think that, unknowingly, I was in flare-up & that it has now abated. It is surely too soon for the MX to be taking effect (from wk 3), so I do believe that the build-up of pain-killers was doing the good. I will continue with my faithful friend Naproxen 500 twice daily, but am now cautiously reducing the dihydrocodeine 60mgs three times daily, for I'm at present able to walk well - and did stairs again from last week! Dry mouth often makes me talk like a drunk, and I need to allow my body to dictate rest, but no further symptoms so far. Good luck, honey
Starting new medication after a 10wk break
Starting new treatment 
New medication. Starting on the biologics. Enbrel or entracept other name of benapil
Has anyone started on a new treatment regime during lockdown?
