methotrexate

[Dexter1414]

how many tablets does everyone take each week do you take any other tablets with your methotrexate I only take folic acid on a Wednesday and methotrexate on Thursday and multi vitamins everyday except not on methotrexate day and are your inflammatory markers ok in your blood everytime as mine are high but doctors don’t know where this would be I think it’s my wrists and hands and shoulder I’ve had X-rays on them before I was told I had rheumatoid arthritis I work in retail supermarket on tills so this probably doesn’t help I take 5 methotrexate tablets a week I always worry about taking more I also suffer with anxiety as had bad past never got over it so I worry a lot about things

[Madmusiclover]

Hello. Firstly breathe! Your rheumy will have you on a managed dose and will be monitoring you. You can’t compare yourself to others. However if you are not physically well on it or think it’s not working you must tell your rheumy team.

I’m on a very low dose but it’s not my main drug. I strongly suggest you ask your Gp for help with anxiety. Then there are the lovely people at NRAS who run a helpline you can ring for reassurance. Someone I’m sure will mention the WREN project which is another source of support for the impact of our disease in our mental health. You are not alone.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Madmusiclover]

What tableys do you take

[Madmusiclover in reply to Dexter1414]

I take what my rheumy prescribed. 6 monthly infusion. Weekly low dose methotrexate and folic acid.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Madmusiclover]

How you getting on with methotrexate I’m on tablets is it helping you

[Madmusiclover in reply to Dexter1414]

Dexter you can’t compare yourself. My drug treatment is a long and complicated one. Have you got the NRAS booklet on medications? Take a look on their website. You must talk to your rheumy or GP if you are worried.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Madmusiclover]

What is NRAS mean ? What tablets are you on I want to talk to people who are on methotrexate or any other arthritis medication

[Madmusiclover in reply to Dexter1414]

It’s the national rheumatoid arthritis society. They run this site that you are posting on.

[bienassis]

Hello Dexter

I’m an old hand at this rheumatoid business, and we all vary in our responses to the drugs.

I’ve been taking methotrexate since 1998 - first in tablet form then, from 2015, by injection. Doses have varied, but I’m now on 7.5mg weekly. Injections do have a bigger impact than tablets so, generally, the dose would be slightly lower than with tablets.

I also have 4 folic acid tablets per week - avoiding the day I have the injection and 1 day before and after. I’ve been following that regime for many years.

Try not to get too anxious about the drug itself - it’s one of the most tried and trusted of the DMARDs, and often the first resort when it comes to treatment.

Inflammatory markers are also variable in different people - no matter how well you feel the levels can often surprise! So try not to be too concerned - your rheumatoid team will understand this and advise appropriately. For example: after years of feeling reasonably well I still manage an ESR of 28. Yet the CRP is no higher, at the moment, than 3.

I do wish you well; it’s a nasty disease, but the NRAS does an excellent job of bringing the disease to the forefront and not letting it drift into obscurity.

So Good Luck!

[Dexter1414 in reply to bienassis]

Thankyou for your reply how many tablets are you on a week I think cause my wrists and hands and shoulder not getting better Is because I work in retail supermarket on tills do you take multi vitamins Aswell I do wonder what else I can take to help

[bienassis in reply to Dexter1414]

In my previous post I mentioned that I no longer take methotrexate in tablet form, as since 2015 I have been having weekly injections - of 7.5mg. Apart from that and folic acid, I was advised by my rheumatoid doctor to take Vitamin C daily; I also take Vitamin D ,and Calcichew. As I am a vegetarian I also take Vitamin B12. I don’t take multivitamins. The Calcichew is prescribed, the rest I buy. Yes, your work does sound as though it is stressful for hands and wrists - and also your shoulders must come under some stress. Perhaps a hand/wrist support might be appropriate - ask your rheumatoid Nurse/Doctor. Sitting at a Till may also affect your posture.

[Dexter1414 in reply to bienassis]

I sit and stand can you also eat what you like with arthritis

[welsh12]

Hi I take 6 methotrexate tablets i had lots of pain in various places before the tablets started working15mg and hydroxy so dual therapy and folic acid. Have you spoken to your work place to ensure you get regular breaks from the till and may be stretching hands shoulders. My bloods are OK I take vitamin d in winter and would take other vitamins if Dr says I need them. So you are on 12.5mg?have you been on them long try not to worry see if you can attend a support group. Stress is not good.In terms of diet try and eat healthily as possible and keep weight down. Best wishes.

[Dexter1414 in reply to welsh12]

It’s knowing what’s good to eat got to have some treats Aswell , I get break at work but it comes off are hours it’s not a paid break , so your taking methotrexate and what other tablets how long you been on methotrexate and had it helped the pain

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

18months on methotrexate and hydroxychloroquine yes they help with pain I had because my R A is under control they are not pain killers they are called disease modification dmards. There are other medications rheumatology nurse should provide the information to you or look at the booklets Provided by the national rheumatoid arthitis society. In terms of diet vegetables. fruit.healthy snacks. nuts yogurt. etc

[Pjf0265]

hi there

I am on 10 methotrexate on a Wednesday evening and folic acid on the other six days ! Just started on hydroxychloroquine every day as RA not under control and CRP raised ! Still getting shoulder pain and in my hands and feet but they said can take three months for the new tablets to show some effect !

Maybe have a chat with with your rheumatology team as they may suggest to up the meds to get things more under control !

[pammi2]

its not your choice how manty mtx you take.. also inflammation cannot be seen in xrays only in blood tests. i take 4 mtx wednesday and then calcuim folinate day after, never the other way around.. if your inflammation markers are high and you are in pain it is more than likley RA, speak to a rhuemy. only you will know where the pain is.

[Rubygirl08]

Hi Dexter, I'm newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis too (July 2024). I was started on 12.5mg methotrexate (6 tablets) which I take on a Tuesday, and 2 folic acids that I take on Friday. I was also on hydroxychloroquine until Xmas, but it didn't suit me. Also, you do have to give these drugs 3 months to get working for you. I am office based and have bought a couple of wrist supports off amazon to help when I'm typing, as my left wrist is the more painful one.If you are still in pain, do as others have suggested and ask for pain relief, don't worry about the blood tests, your doctors will deal with this and sort things out.

The NRAS website is really helpful for understanding the condition, it gave me a lot of confidence and helped dampen down my anxiety.

Hope you start feeling better soon x

[Jfw24]

I take 8 on a Sunday and folic acid Tuesday and four days after. Methotrexate on its own didn’t control my RA so my rheumatologist put me on Adalimumab in addition to methotrexate. I’m, hopefully, now under control.

[Dexter1414 in reply to Jfw24]

Adalimumab how were you on these tablets and how many did you take

[welsh12 in reply to Dexter1414]

Dexter u can't just pick your medication or dosage everyone is different

[Jfw24]

Adalimumab is an injection and I take it once a fortnight

[Dexter1414 in reply to Jfw24]

Does it come in tablet

[Jfw24 in reply to Dexter1414]

No it’s a biologic, you need to speak to your rheumatologist

[EJaneB]

Do you have an appointment with the rheumatology team who prescribed methotrexate in the first place? They will be able to advise you on other medications if needed or if you need a different dose

[Cat-E]

I take 7 mtx on a Tuesday and folic acid on Wednesday, Friday & Sunday. I started off on 6 mtx but my rheumy nurse upped the dose as it wasn't working too well. Since being on 7 my RA is under reasonable control with the odd flare every now and again.

[Seatgeorge]

I take 5 which is 12.5 plus a folic acid tablet each day,plus each Tuesday a biological injection of benapali. Try not to worry about what you take the main thing is dis cuss it your consultant and they will tailor the meds to you, I'm lucky my consultant is very good and it's down to her that my RA is very stable,good luck.

[AgedCrone]

It really doesn’t matter how many tablets other people take …..some are prescribed far more than others …….what matters is how many you are prescribed by your rheumy. If you stick to that rule you will be doing the right thing. Try not to think about numbers of tablets ….have a chat with your rheumy nurse if you feel anxious - she will explain why you are prescribed the amount of Mtx your rheumatologist has decided you need.

[StormySeas]

Hey Dexter

There are a lot of nice replies here and as you can see everyone is on a different dose of medication.

But Methotrexate is a very strong drug and just in case you're thinking about it - it's really not OK to change the amount you take on your own without seeing a Dr.

X

[Lhasalover]

Hi Dexter 1414,

I have a RA diagnosis and husband Psoriatic, I'm on 4 methotrexate tablets a week, he's on 10. The rheumy balances keeping your inflammation levels under control whilst trying not to cause too much impact upon your immunity levels so you can fight off any infections that come your way. Every other day (methotrexate on Mondays each week, so no folate) I'm prescribed folate, this is to counteract the side effects of methotrexate. However I also take Hydroxycholoquine, which I started on first. The amount you take of this is calculated by your weight.

Methotrexate took about 9 weeks or so to start having an effect and the Hydroxy wasn't sufficient on it's own.

The meds I take have had a positive effect upon the swelling in my fingers as some of my knuckles looked very swollen prior and I was experiencing discomfort in hands, feet, a knee and a wrist. This was much better but not perfect, especially in my fingers.

So I looked for what else could help. I already took a good quality multi-vitamin so started to do a bit of digging. The synovial membranes are effected in RA, these are concerned with the lubrication of your joints in your fingers. I found a supplement called hyaluronic acid which helps increase lubrication. It took 11 weeks of use before it worked but I could definitely feel a difference afterwards and I haven't stopped taking it since. Feel much more like my old self now however I do still get some days when I can feel an ache or two especially in my index finger. I use Isotoper compression gloves to sleep in (these feel like they reset the hands each night) and I can feel a difference in the mornings if I don't wear them. You can buy these online. I also bought online a hand massager, which cost £50. This is also very good. If you got one you could use it whilst you take a break at work. Again it feels like it refreshes your hands and fingers. How it works is by increasing blood flow to your hands which helps manage inflammation.

Hope you find all this info useful. It is a worrying condition. I too tend to overthink. Speak to your rhemy nurse regarding any concerns, don't over google and consider putting in place the sort of things I mention and then try and get on with your life and not become overly over-focused with the situation would be my best advice. Good luck and best wishes Dexter.

[Wishlady]

Don't worry, talk things through with your GP or Rumertology nurse/consultant . I always take someone with me. Your blood results shows what's happening and they will adjust your medication according. Hope this helps .Best wishes

Heather

[jackNruby2]

I take 4 tablets at the moment, may be increased soon, but I was told never take Folic acid the before or after methotrexate. I take a multi vitiamin and an omega suppliment daily

[Briefencounter]

I take a 5 mg folic acid tablet on Saturday and 8 x 2 1/2 mg ( 20 mgs ) methotrexate on Sunday . I take 3 x sulfasalazine 500mg tablets twice a day . I was diagnosed with RA when I was 48 , 83 now . Occasional flares which generally last for 4 days . I consider that my RA is generally well controlled . Nightly , I take 2 paracetemol + 1 codeine , before I go to sleep - to help prevent stiffness during the night .

[RubyJimmy]

I take 8 x 2.5mg methotrexate on Friday and folic acid on all other days. I also occasionally take etoricoxib. Pain in hips is still there but mild, shoulders and between shoulder blades not so much but have developed pain in wrists and ankles. I can't take anti inflammatory tablets very often as they give me mouth ulcers.I get restless legs most nights and sore hips if I lay on my side so take 20mg amitriptyline most nights.

I tried salazoprine but it made me put on a stone in a 2 months and made me feel sick.