Methotrexate

[Interpreter]

How long does it take on average to tell if methotrexate is working?

[Neonkittie17]

The rheumys always say up to 12 weeks. I could feel improvements after about 7 then better all the way and by 12, I’d got my mobility back but we are all different, and the blood tests will confirm that with your lowering levels of inflammation. Good luck.

[helixhelix]

Can be up to 6 months to get full effect.

[nomoreheels]

Generally 12 weeks, in common with all DMARDs, though it can take a little longer from experience. None are fast acting I’m afraid. Usually though you can feel subtle improvements before then though maybe it's a little too soon just yet. If you're struggling maybe contact your Rheumy team or GP, see if there's anything they can suggest to help ease symptoms.

[runningbracken]

With me it took at least 3 months before i started noticing the full effects but even then i still flared a fare bit. Didnt sleep felt so fatigued. In the end i thought if this is the best so be it, 3 years later still on the oral MTX i started to go bad again, terrible pain, couldnt walk without moaning. Was in a terrible state.

I gave bloods and a couple of days later the rhumey nurse phoned and started me on the metroject MTX 20mg. That was back in December if am remembering right. Since then i feel great. No flares to speak of, energy is almost back and back working more than 3 days in the week. And more importantly i can run gain. Still get slight soreness in wrists and shoulder but other than that am managing well on MTX injections.

So even if you wait the 12 weeks and your still getting major pain dont despair, Theres still lots of other things you can try.

Hope it works as well for you as it has for me. Good luck.

[Interpreter in reply to runningbracken]

Thank you so much. Only been 3 weeks, I can't tell a difference yet.

[nomoreheels in reply to Interpreter]

It is still early then. Your Rheumy should really have taken time to explain how it works, but still at least you have here where you can ask from those who have experience. Hopefully given a few more weeks you'll see some improvements. As runningbracken has said it is the one DMARD which is available in two forms for us take, tablets & injections. I like most started on tablets, for a year, & then when I needed an extra ooomph I changed to injections, 11 years ago now.

[Cricket01]

Hello to all. Do you think one can take Hemp oil waiting for the methotrexate to kick in?

[KittyJ in reply to Cricket01]

This isn’t something we can advise on Cricket, you should speak to your doctors 😊