ELEVEN DAYS ON MTX

[bottomrail]

This is my eleventh day of using MTX. First of all, I read through many of the post concerning RA and the meds used to treat the disease. I feel that the MTX is dealing with my RA by lessening the pain in my joints but the side effects are something else. I am getting severe headaches, pain in the area of my liver and loss of energy. Sometimes I get the thought of which is worse "the RA or the remedy to alleviate it! I am taking my MTX every Tues. night but I think I am going to do like many of those posting to this site and take my MTX in three doses on Tuesday in the morning, at noon, and in the evening. Will keep everyone posted on my progress. Wish me luck.

[sylvi]

It is going to take up to three months for the drug to work its way through your system. So please be patient.xxxxx

[bottomrail in reply to sylvi]

sylvi.....Thanks for the advice. I will be patient. keep posting.Peace.

healthunlocked.com/user/Nic...

[Nicole2000]

Hello,

I have just started taking methotrexate too. I started last Thursday and it's now Sunday, so it's been 4 days. I felt nauseous all of Friday and my painfully joints have increased (but this could be the result of me stopping my arcoxia). If I am honest, I don't feel myself and my fatigue seems irrepressible. I slept during the day yesterday for 2 hours. This only happens during flare ups. I have been told by my rheumatologist that the methotrexate takes about 3 months to kick in and that I have 70:30 chance of it working/not working. Fingers and toes crossed things go to plan.

I do hope your side effects settles down and I wish you all the best on your new treatment.

Nicole x

[Gnarli in reply to Nicole2000]

I'd bet on a horse at those odds and I'm not a betting woman! Unfortunately, these drugs for RA do seem to take their time to work so we have to be patient and ride it out. Wishing you better.

Jan

[bottomrail in reply to Nicole2000]

Nicole2000....Your post sounds so similar to mine. I started taking MTX on 08/15/17 and the Folic Acid the next day. I was somewhat skeptical about the effectiveness of the meds. About my third day of usage the side effects began to appear. I am so glad that I found this website and had a chance to read many of the posts of people with similar ailments. I am also thankful that I was able to post my problems, questions, anxieties, and concerns. The drugs affects each individual differently; with myself I am finding with the side effects there is also a lessening of the pain in my joints and that is a positive thing. Anyhow hang in there and keep posting. Peace!

[Hidden]

If you are getting pain in your liver area then you should go back and get a blood test to check if the mtx is affecting your liver

[bottomrail in reply to Hidden]

SylviaMA.......Thanks for the reply. In answer to your question.....yes I get my first labs done this coming Tuesday. I do not know how ofter I will have to go to the lab it could be anywhere from every to weeks to once a month. I have an appointment with my PCP set for September 25, and at that time I will discuss with her everything you guys have said on the many posts. Keep giving me advice and strength. Peace!

[Deminem]

Hia

Are you having 2 weekly bloods done. That's a *must* every 2 weeks until you are stable.

D

[bottomrail in reply to Deminem]

Deminem.......Thanks for the post. Yes I began my two week labs on 08/29/17. I still am not sure how often my Rheumatologist will have me going to the lab. It may be every two weeks like you said or it may be once a month.

[Gnarli]

Hi bottomrail. I'm sorry you feel so poorly at the moment. I'm fairly new to the dubious joys of RA and have seen loads of people say the same thing as yourself. That the meds are worse than the disease. We just have to be patient as most of the drugs take ages to work. If the side effects are too much to bear discuss it with your rheumy who may find a better treatment as there is no 'one size fits all' drug out there. We are incredibly lucky in that there are so many alternatives available to us now, with more in the pipeline too. Wishing you all the very best. Hugs

Jan

[bottomrail in reply to Gnarli]

Gnarli thanks for the reply......Yeah..I read in many of the posts where people complained that the cure was worse than the disease. I am not going to stop taking the MTX and the Folic Acid even though it puts me through these weird changes. The one positive thing I can say about the MTX is that it is making the "pain" in my knuckles, knees, right hip, and shoulders subside. The pain is not completely gone but anyone who has had RA for any length of time knows when there is a lessening of the pain. Thanks for the care and concern. Peace.

[helixhelix]

11th day, so you've just had 2 doses of MTX? It is likely that it will take a lot longer to work I'm afraid - around three months or so. For me the side effects also wor off after the first few weeks.

[nomoreheels]

By taking your MTX in intervals (I used to take 15mg as 2 with breakfast, lunch & evening meal) you'll likely to lessen unwanted symptoms & increase bioavailability, which may just mean you find you'll notice improvement a little earlier. As has been said DMARDs generally take up to 12 weeks of more to reach full potential though subtle changes may be notice earlier than that.

Your pain around the liver is something I'd definitely mention next time at your drug monitoring bloods, & check if your LFT'S aren't on the rise. Reduced energy, or fatigue, could be the disease itself or MTX, not easy to determine but you'll know not to fight it if you're to help those headaches, probably both connected. I, 8 years into MTX, still am more tired the day after MTX day so it could be you'll be similar even once he 12 weeks passes, just so you're aware, though you could be fortunate & have no side effects!

Luck being wished! 😉

[jane1976]

I've been on methotrexate for about 18months this time , I take 20mg (8) tablets once a week. Initially I had quite a lot of hair loss but, that is now ok. I feel sick a bit on the day I take it. Taking it with Naproxen, hydroxychloroquine, & Benapali injections. My RA is the most controlled I have had it! It's the osteoarthritis that's the problem now! Lol!

[AllyWelshDragon]

I'm just over a year down the line on mtx and I get a great result from it! As others have said, it does take time to be fully effective, about 10 weeks in my case. I take mine after my evening meal on Thursdays and then go to bed. At first I was getting headaches the next day but now hardly anything at all. Don't forget the folic acid next morning!!

Best wishes

Ally x