Has anyone had success on Methotrexate monotherapy?

[HGCCNM]

Hi everyone,

I’m coming up on my one-year anniversary since RA diagnosis. I recently switched from oral methotrexate to injectable due to stomach pain. I’m wondering if anyone has treated their RA with methotrexate only..?

My symptoms have not really subsided, but have remained mild — stiff fingers and occasional pain in wrists. My ESR and CRP are normal. I know remission is hard to define. Maybe this is Minimal Disease Activity…🤞🏽

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences. I look forward to reading these posts every morning. It brings comfort … and hope. ♥️

[AgedCrone]

Yes….I had seven very successful years on oral Mtx. ….. with no other medication..

In fact, I thought I was cured until one day it just stopped working…… that was nearly 20 years ago and here, I am now, happily settled on Rituximab infusions also with no other medication.

[HGCCNM in reply to AgedCrone]

Oh that is good news — so glad you are doing well! Thank you!

[Zip1]

yes I had five years on Mtx, I have now had to move on to benepali but I hope it is successful for you.

[HGCCNM in reply to Zip1]

Thank you! And I hope benepali works for you!

[Zip1 in reply to HGCCNM]

It seems to be at the moment 🤞

[Dexter1414 in reply to Zip1]

What’s benepali ? I take 5 tablets on a Thursday methotrexate and folic acid on Wednesday

[KittyJ in reply to Dexter1414]

It’s a biosimilar med used for RA

[MelB71]

Yes, I was taking just mtx RA under control- however didn't quite manage 12 mths as my liver became a party pooper. Not sure if its mtx or something else so currently having various scans.

[Hidden in reply to MelB71]

What has happened with your liver? Is it your blood markers, ie ALT and AST going too high? What tests are you getting?

[HGCCNM in reply to MelB71]

Thank you! And best to you — hope your liver recovers soon!

[MelB71]

My ALT went too high to continue mtx. Unfortunately it kept rising even after halting medication. I've had additional bloods such as hepatitis screening and an abdomen ultrasound. Just been referred for a fibroscan.

[greynot]

Yes, been on 20mg oral Mtx for 5 years and my consultant's letter says I'm in remission. Or as he said to my face, 'it's holding it'.

[HGCCNM in reply to greynot]

Great, thank you!

[GinnyE]

Yes, diagnosed with strongly positive RA over five years ago, only take methotrexate. Do have the odd twinge now and again and nausea.

[HGCCNM in reply to GinnyE]

Great, thank you!

[Oils]

I've taken metoject for 8 years. Plus dmards and monthly infusion .I feel it helps. These last 2 months or so the metoject has stung , after I've given it to myself. Goes on for a while. Tryed icing area, heat also . Doesn't help. Thinking of going back to the tablets . Anyone experienced the same. Thanks

[GinnyE in reply to Oils]

Stings sometimes, and bleeds very occasionally. I loath the pen, feel sick just looking at it, wondering about tablets again myself, with nausea help perhaps.

[HGCCNM in reply to Oils]

It is often the preservative that causes the stinging. I use syringes with a 29g needle and draw up my dose from a vial (my insurance doesn’t cover the auto-inject pens), and there is no stinging.

I’ve been listening to Dr. Cush’s RheumNow podcast and it definitely seems injectable Methotrexate is preferable to oral.

I do have new onset GERD and wonder if it was brought on by the Methotrexate though…

[Jodieleigh]

I take 20 mg methotrexate a week , injection , folic acid every day , diagnosed highly positive 18 mth ago , no side effects , and worked really well , sometimes forget I have RA , took about 8 weeks to work , then worked a treat 👍🏻

[HGCCNM in reply to Jodieleigh]

Thank you!

[Nana-8]

I was as in you’re situation last year. When the upped the injection to 2.0 -I developed migraines. I’ve had them previously but not due to any medication.

I too felt some better using MTX but still had days where I couldn’t use certain parts of my body. I was given prednisone-low dose- for these days. It helped some but not completely.

I tried Leflunomide pill after that and still the flares were bad but the fact I could sleep was a gift. Then I started not being able to taste and came up with secondary sojrens . Trod the malaria drug and no effect on anything.

Now on infusions. In the US they are expensive even with insurance. Still have bad days a week before next one but better. Just the cost hurts.

[HGCCNM in reply to Nana-8]

Hope you get relief soon!

[Blodynhaul]

Hi there, yes I was on only Methotrexate for about 13 years & when I look back I realise that it did a pretty excellent job, until the nausea/sickness & stomach issues got worse and worse over the last few years on it. Basically poisoned the body after so long. I had been on the oral pills for about 12 years & then the self-injecting for about a year but made no difference! (I then went on to just Leflunamide and that was excellent for about 7 years, until it stopped working for some reason). Wishing you all the best!

[HGCCNM]

Thanks!