Advice

[Slate56]

Hi all just a question had a telephone conversation with my ra specialist today and she has recommended me to go on to another drug along with my mtx it is hydroxychloroquine the mtx has reduced my swelling greatly but the pain is sometimes unbearable is this a good combination only been on mtx for 11 weeks now and one other question I take my mtx on Friday night feel ok no side effects until half through Saturday morning and I’m completely exhausted is this the norm for us cheers

[Lyndy]

Hello.... I recognise that pattern on MTX,at first you feel ok and then... wipe out!

I have also taken hydroxycholoquinine and found it fine.. no side effects but I thought it was only mildly effective too... see how you get on. xx

[Hidden]

Oh yes methotrexate hangover is very common. We often have a cocktail of drugs and it’s trial and error . You usually start with the dmards unfortunately I’m allergic to hydroxychloroquine but many are successful

[JoolesJB]

I have been taking hydroxychlorquine and methotrexate for 2 years now and pretty well settled with them. My rheumatologist gradually increased my folic acid to 5 mg 6 times a week which really helped with the methotrexate side effects. Hope they work for you too 😀

[patsymay13]

Hi there I started on hydroxy just over a year ago and must say it worked real well for me ..but after a couple of lengthy flare ups I have now stated methotrexate along with it and only on week 3 so early days for me xxxx

[Mmrr]

The MTX 'hangover' may lessen as time goes on, after a number of months I just felt a bit tired the day after taking it, but nothing like the fatigue of the early days.

[Carolsos]

Hi I have been on those two drugs, but after 5,years on them had to go on leflumomide also which seems to do the trick!

Good luck am sure you will be fine with them. You do need to have an eye test every year though! Take care

[precious123]

Hi Slate56 yes it certainly is or was normal for me. I felt like crap for a couple of days after taking methotrexate injection. I have taken Plaquenil before as well. Didn’t get any relief from it after about 6 months. Took it for probably 3 years. But taking it with methotrexate might be the combo you need. I am off of methotrexate now because it stopped working for me. This was my second round of trying methotrexate. I’m on about every second round of all the meds. For whatever reason they just don’t last long with me. I certainly hope this combo works great for ya. Hugs and hopes for the best.

Peggy

[RosieA]

Oh! We're in the same boat. I've been on MTX for just under 6 months. I do feel tired the next day as a rule, so am easy with myself. Will be starting hydrox... when I get them from the chemist. They reduced my MTX as not really suiting me, so adding hydrox.. to see me through the Covid crisis when meds will be changed. Although, I have been warned that it can take 6-8 weeks to notice any improvement. By then I will be climbing the walls with RA induced frustration (well I would if the pain in my feet would allow). Let me know how you get on with the hydrox... Good luck.

[hicksville]

Hi, this is quite normal. I have been tried on several drugs with the mtx including Hydroxychloroquine. I had no luck with this as it upset my stomach. Every ones different it might work well for you. Inform your specialist of any side effects you might get

[Pulfs]

I've been on combination of mtx and hydrochloquine for over 20yrs have found these two together to be ok. The only thing with hydrochloquine is you need yearly eye test with a retinal image. My optician does this each time I have my eye examination but as of now NICE say a yearly eye exam at hospital is recommended. I had mine early this year and all was fine and now in system for regular yearly tests. Hope get on ok and RA stays under control. X

[Boxerlady]

I've been on this combination since I started treatment last year. One rheumy told me that Hydroxychloroquine is especially valuable as it increases the effects of the Methotrexate but I've heard of people just taking Hydroxychloroquine so I presume that it has some effect in itself. It's been a good combination for me.

I've found that 6 days of Folic Acid definitely helps with the mxt side effects.