Has anyone had success on Methotrexate monotherapy? - NRAS

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Has anyone had success on Methotrexate monotherapy?

HGCCNM profile image
24 Replies

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. ♥️

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HGCCNM profile image
HGCCNM
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24 Replies
AgedCrone profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply toAgedCrone

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

Zip1 profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply toZip1

Thank you! And I hope benepali works for you!

Zip1 profile image
Zip1 in reply toHGCCNM

It seems to be at the moment 🤞

Dexter1414 profile image
Dexter1414 in reply toZip1

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

KittyJ profile image
KittyJ in reply toDexter1414

It’s a biosimilar med used for RA

MelB71 profile image
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.

Kuzwayo profile image
Kuzwayo in reply toMelB71

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

HGCCNM profile image
HGCCNM in reply toMelB71

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

MelB71 profile image
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 profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply togreynot

Great, thank you!

GinnyE profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply toGinnyE

Great, thank you!

Oils profile image
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 profile image
GinnyE in reply toOils

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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply toOils

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 profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply toJodieleigh

Thank you!

Nana-8 profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM in reply toNana-8

Hope you get relief soon!

Blodynhaul profile image
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 profile image
HGCCNM

Thanks!

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