Methotrexate worked for short period of time, what next?

[Lola7]

Just a bit of advice needed........I started methotrexate 15mg injections in Jan being newly diagnosed, all went well with improvements in swelling and pain. Now, several months on the swelling and pain is back 😬

I see rheumatologist on Friday and just wondered if anyone else has had the same experience and what options they took.

Look forward to you comments as always so helpful.

Thanks all

Vicki

[Matilda7]

Just wondered if you have made any changes to your diet to see if that helps?

[Lola7 in reply to Matilda7]

No, I haven't but have been thinking about that.......so much advice on it so not sure where to start!

Thanks for quick reply x

[Matilda7 in reply to Lola7]

It's helped me which is why I suggest it. My wrists swell up within 24 hours if I eat a lot of bread and jam as I did recently on a French holiday!

The first thing I dropped was meat...only meant to do it for 2 weeks to see if it made any difference, and never ate it again and that was in 1982! Sugar also is a problem for me...I vary in how strict I am depending on how my joints are.

If a food is part of the problem it's quite likely to be something you'd find difficult to give up!

Culprits are often meat, wheat, sugar and dairy, but it varies from person to person. It's something you have to experiment with and find out for yourself what helps. Eliminating for 2 weeks should be long enough to tell.

If you decide to try experimenting let us know how you get on.

[Lola7 in reply to Matilda7]

I will def have a think, i know I eat too much sugar so maybe should start there, in fact I will!

[Matilda7 in reply to Lola7]

Good for you! At least it means that you are starting to take control rather than the other way around. If you are sensible it can't do any harm and might help. Keep in touch!

There is evidence that fish oils help but you have to take a lot. Can give you references if you want at some point.

[Pamak in reply to Matilda7]

Hello, I have tried a great deal with diet using a dietician and nutritionist but to no effect what so ever. Very dissapointing . I am however keeping to gluten free eating and less dairy.

Good luck

[helixhelix]

I had similar experience. Started on MTX and all seemed v positive, but after several months things started creeping back. I couldn't tolerate more than 20mg, so Rheumy then added in hydroxy. Same thing happened so added in Sulpha. Now on this triple therapy for last 6 + years and generally all's well.

At the point where the disease seemed to be pushing past the MTX I did make major lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress etc). It helped me overall in terms of energy levels, mood, drug tolerance and so on. But did nothing to control the disease. I still follow the overall approach re lifestyle (with added treats) but have learnt that for me if I don't take the drugs things fall apart. However we are all different, so chuck out the processed food, increase your vegetable intake and see how you feel.

[Lola7]

Thank you.........sounds like a plan for me.........lifestyle changes needed!

[Hopeful1]

There are many alternatives to Methotrexate your consultant can advise on. Often it is a case of trial and error - or one works for a while and then alternatives added/substituted. Because damage can happen fairly rapidly if untreated the majority advice from the forum seems to be carry on with the drugs even if you do wish to look at lifestyle changes in parallel. Good luck with the appointment.