Methotrexate

[BeachsideVia]

just started my first weekly dose of MTX, 17.5 mg, daily folic acid , for inflammatory arthritis. Flares were frequent, painful, unable to walk, not a good quality of life. I am hoping MTX will keep a lid on inflammation.

[ageddancer]

Good Morning

(Minus 4 degrees) To reassure you that MTX can work very successfully...it does take a while to get into your system but I have been on it for about 15 years now and it has worked for me. Be kind to yourself and know we are all here to support you. Gentle hugs

[Gnarli]

Hello and welcome to the forum. I started Methotrexate (MTX) exactly six years ago. By November of 2017, my CRP had dropped to <5, and life was a lot more comfortable. I would wrestle anyone who threatened to take it away from me. It doesn't work quickly, which I'm sure you have been told, but when it does it's miraculous.

[Mmrr]

Welcome to the forum.Do let us know MTX works for you and do ask any questions, there is usually someone who has experienced similar.

[Suzy-P]

I have been on Methotrexate since 2016 - added Leflumonide in 2018. It works for me but be patient - can take up to 12 weeks to really kick in. Maybe your doctor could prescribe something to help in the interim - I had a steroid jab which worked for me. Good luck

[greynot]

I've been on methotrexate since 2019, working up from 10 mg to 20 mg over a few weeks. Plus folic acid on the 6 other days. It took a while to work and initially I had some side effects for a day or 2 after Mtx day, but they subsided as my body got used to it.

I did also have steroids to tide me over til the mtx worked, which then tapered off to zero.

My RA is controlled and to date mtx is all I need.

Top tips...take it at night after a good meal, and keep well hydrated.

Hope it works well for you.

Let us know how you go on.

[cyberbarn]

I have PsA and have been on MTX for six weeks. I am on injections and at the lowest level. I wouldn't say it has helped hugely yet, so I am still being patient, but I think it has started to put my hypothyroid problem into remission so something good has come of it.

It can be hard to be patient, but keep going and don't give up hope that it will work.

[nomoreheels]

Hiya BeachsideVia, welcome. My experience of MTX is a positive one, I started it back in 2009. I was prescribed tablets for the first year & ever since I’ve injected. I take 5 mg folic acid 6 days & just have a little less appetite the day after, & I'm a bit more tired too but it's worth it for the benefits it's afforded me.You were probably told but in common with other DMARDs it's not fast acting so hopeful you were prescribed something to ease the pain & inflammation until you feel it working, by 12 weeks you should have noticed a difference. 

I don't know if you were given any info on MTX, if not you may find this helpful nras.org.uk/resource/methot...

I hope you find it helpful being here. Please be aware though some things may differ, med brand names for example, as we are based in the UK. In the main things are the same though so if there's anything you think we could help with ask away, there are many regular contributors so someone will have had experience! 😊

[BeachsideVia]

thank you for such valuable information! I was put on a 6 day dose pack of steroids before starting MTX, and it helped. Now I wait.

I was on hydroxychloroquine a year ago and stopped taking it, didnt think it was helping. Focused on diet and healthy eating. Lost weight, and doc took me off metformin because i really didn't need it. That’s when I had my recent flare up! I read that metformin is anti inflammatory. Maybe just a coincidence.

I have mixed feelings about MTX. 9 years ago I had bilateral breast cancer and had 2 rounds of chemo, radiation and a double mastectomy. It saved my life. Taking MTX right now is reminding me of all that, but Im not afraid of the side effects.

This inflammatory arthritis started years before.