Hi folks, had 2nd dose of methotrexate last Thursday but still in some pain, is this normal/usual until the med takes proper effect?

[Ritaritis]

Pain query

[helixhelix]

Yes, it can take three months or more to work fully. Sorry. But you can ask your doctor for extra painkillers or even steroids to tide you over.

[Boxerlady]

As helixhelix says, DMARDS do take up to 3 months to work; unfortunately it's not a quick fix. I was offered a steroid injection at my first appointment to tide me over and was advised on pain relief.

[Runrig01]

Agree with the others, it’s not a quick fix and takes 3 months to take effect. Your Gp should give you other painkillers

[Quinny51]

Ask about cimzia it worked for me

[helixhelix in reply to Quinny51]

What works for one person may not work for another. And in the UK there is a fairly strict pathway that doctors follow, with the aim of stabilising you with the lowest dose of the leat risky and most cost effective drug possible.

I have been on MTX successfully for 11 years. For many people it is all they need.

[bpeal1 in reply to Quinny51]

As helixhelix has said in the UK there is a treatment pathway that NICE have developed which rheumatologist follow. It’s very unlikely that Cimzia would be considered only two weeks after starting methotrexate. Methotrexate works well for a lot of people but it does take about 12 weeks to work.

Also what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for someone else. I tried Cimzia as my first biologic and it did nothing for me at all. Unfortunately finding the right treatment for RA is very much trial and error.

[Quinny51 in reply to bpeal1]

Hi I was on methotrexate injections for a few years but did not help but as soon as I was put on cimzia I was back at work within 2 months I guess I was very lucky because the pain from flare ups was magnificent

[bpeal1 in reply to Quinny51]

I’m really pleased it worked for you. I have now found another drug that works much better for me too.

[Jayyyydddeee]

Hi, from what I can gather it takes roughly 3 months to see some relief. Have you considered pain relief whilst you wait or steroid injections? I know that I only take naproxen along side mexothextrate as I'm waiting for my MRI to come through before I can have steroid injections. Everyone's pathway is slightly different you have to have or do what works for you x

[Sheila_G]

As others have said it does take around 12 weeks to take effect. I would just say hang on in there. Don't despair. It could be well worth the wait if you are like me. Mxt has changed my life. All the best.

[ABwn]

Yes, like the others it took a while for the meds to work. I was also given a steroid jab at the start. Takes a while to sort out the correct strength of the meds as well. Good luck.

[smilelines]

You might start getting some relief very soon. My doctor said it can start working as soon as three weeks after you start.

[Stillfightinit]

Fully agree with all that has been said...but.The other thing to remember is to make sure you order repeat scripts in plenty of time. Because whilst it can take up to 12 weeks to become effective it can disipate in as quickly as 72 hours - which may leave you back where you started.

I was let down twice, once by gp not processing script as consultant requested and once by a portion pharmacy.

Avoid that happening at all costs, apart from the regression this can cause the side effects of coming on and off MTX are not pleasant.

Blessings