5 weeks into treatment??

[Simsey]

I am new to the RA world, I am into week 5 on methotrexate and am having a horrible couple of days, is this to be expected? Any info/ advice welcome x

[Slate56]

Hi I was diagnosed week before Xmas and same happened to me Friday night mtx night then 2days of terrible feeling that you can’t quite understand now the good news it will get better I’m on my 12 th week now and it’s beginning to get a lot better hope you are as lucky as I am have a wife that is there for me read up and it will get better hang on in and never hate it stay positive

[helixhelix]

I struggled for the first couple of months. It did nothing and I felt sick. But the side effects slowly wore off, and about week nine it started to work.

So hang in there if you can. But if you really feel awful, or get breathless then speak to your rheumy team.

[Dobcross1]

Hi, yes I'm on MTX and sometimes I thought it was making my RA worse not better! It can take up to 12-14 weeks to work but, that said, if you are still feeling bad after a few days or the side effects are unacceptable then do contact your Rheumatology department.

[Sockknitter]

Make sure you are following all the MTX tips from us old lags.

1. Take your Folic Acid (up to 6 times a week on Rheumie advice)

2. Take your MTX late afternoon or early evening then get an early night.

3. Stay well hydrated, a good guide is if you are weeing every hour.

4. Eat a carb rich meal on the day. My Rheumie told me my liver was running a marathon dealing with MTX and needed plenty calories.

5. Be kind to yourself .

[Simsey in reply to Sockknitter]

Thank you to everyone, I am not suffering side effects (at least I don't think I am .... twitch, hic, twitch twitch). Just in a lot of pain and having to take a lot of pain relief. Feel a bit better this morning but have take paracetamol and codeine......

[Happy5 in reply to Sockknitter]

bang on

[stbernhard]

Hello Simsey, you got some very good comments already. It was the same for me, MTX takes a while to give you the full benefits. If you haven't already done so, I would advise you to spend some time learning about RA, the medication, treatment, fatigue, self management etc on the NRAS website. There is so much helpful information there that has helped me a lot in the process of getting control over my RA. I wish you all the best and hope MTX kicks in quickly for you.

[Gnarli]

Hi Simsey and welcome to the forum. Yes, the first few months on MTX can be awful but, if you're like me and many others, these will gradually subside and the good effects start. Learning about our condition from a reputable source like NRAS, as stbernhard has said, pays dividends. After a wobbly start I would fight anyone who tried to take it from me. I am now 95% back to normal and hope you will be the same

[Happy5]

Feel for you, as already said loads of us went through this.

I had to discuss how it effected me with my RA nurse (they are the ones who help with dealing with it all round) and the consultant. They were/are great at tailoring the treatment to my needs.

This is the point due to our individuality personal tweaking with RA team support is how it improves,

Also as said your body will adjust to what's happening it's early days.

On a side note don't be hesitant to get in touch with your RA team if you feel after 3-4 months no improvement in your RA .

Friend of mine had too and needed to change the medication in his case again everyone is unique.

hang in m'dear day at a time

[Simsey in reply to Happy5]

Ta a muchly x

[modover]

Hi Simsey I have not taken methotrexate for about 4 years now and when I was taking it it was in tablet form. I believe many people now have Methotrexate by injection. I did find the side effects, nausea and tiredness, quite debilitating initially.

It helped to take the tablets at night and this significantly reduced the nausea the following day. I also tried to rest as much as possible on that day. I took this drug for many years but with rest periods because of the damage to my liver, this is why the drug can no longer be prescribed to me. But whilst taking methotrexate it did dampen down my RA symptoms.

I hope this is helpful to you and it is worth persevering with the treatment.

[Simsey in reply to modover]

Do you take something else now

[modover]

Yes. Was put onto sulfasalazine which together with Cimzia injections which I was already on, has been great for me. In fact I am the healthiest and mostly pain free that I have ever been.

I hope that your consultant helps you find the correct drug combination for you. But they all take time to work, usually about 12 weeks. So be prepared for gradual improvement not a miracle. Hope you begin to find relief soon.