MTX

[essexgirl]

Hi ... does anyone just take MTX and no other drug with it

[Gina_K]

Statistics say apparently that combination Dmards are more effective. I take 3.

My elderly Aunt just take Mtx & suits her.

G.

[Hidden]

I've only taken MTX so far but start Hydroxy/ Plaquenil as well next week I think. Because it wasn't working fully at controlling the disease for me and because my liver keeps getting a bit raised they are adding in another DMARD but they would have been just as happy to raise the dose of the MTX to 20mgs if it had been well enough tolerated. From what I've seen I think MTX is the most important DMARD and some people tolerate it well on it's own and that's good. My GP said it's powerful enough without taking others unless you have to but I have read on here that a combination of therapies is now the best option for early treatment. How are you getting on with it anyway? TTx

[essexgirl]

im getting on really well with MTX but i also take salaz but really want to stop taking that and just take MTX ... im going to speak to my rhuemy ...

thankyou for your reply

debsx

[StarlightinJuly]

Hi Debs, can I ask what makes you want to stop the Sulphasalazine please? I am on the same combination and am just curious. I took Sulpha on it's own for over 3 months but it didn't help.

Julie x

[essexgirl in reply to StarlightinJuly]

hi julie

im just not happy taking it as it makes you dehydrate if you dont drink lots of water and funny taste in my mouth all the time

how much salaz do you take a day ?

debs x

[StarlightinJuly in reply to essexgirl]

Hi again Debs, I take 2000mg a day, 4 tablets but haven't had any of the side effects you mention. I'm sorry you are having problems with it - I'm hoping that it will work for me now, in conjuction with the MTX.

Julie x

[Treesha]

Hi debs i take 20mg MTX so far im good but the dose was increased to 20mg last month because 15mg wasnt working. I have to be reviewed in 4 weeks. I think things are still early days for me but hopefully this works for me as im not keen to add any more drugs xxxx

[Shelley1701]

Hiya. I was on just MTX for about 3 years, worked ok for a while but then stopped being as effective and an anti TNF drug was added (1st Infliximab then Humira). Adding the Humira led to my MTX being reduced to 15mg from 20mg. Some people need more drugs than others, all depends on the idividual. Hopefully you'll be ok with just the MTX. See how it goes.

Michelle

x

[Freespirit]

Yes, I take just MTX. Was offered combination therapy only last week but said I would rather up the MTX from 17.5mg to 20 mg, rather than take more tablets. Inflammatory markers raised, as a result of the doing the spring-cleaning perhaps, but same now falling again.

[Victoria-NRAS Partner Moderator NRAS]

Hi essexgirl

As others have indicated, MTX can be given on its own, but the NICE guidelines do recommend combination therapy, and this is often more effective, as the drugs can effectively compliment eachother, making them work better for you. Might be worth reading our article on combination therapy to get a good idea of why this is recommended. It may be that they would be okay with taking you off sulfasalazine if they replace it with another DMARD. Here is a link to the article:

nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoi...

Kind regards

Victoria

(NRAS Helpline & Information Coordinator)

[essexgirl in reply to Victoria-NRAS]

Thankyou for that Victoria ... was a good read and will take that on board

debs x

[essexgirl]

thankyou all x

[denvajade]

Hi there, I am on methotrexate only, was on tablet for 7 years, just changed to injections, I sometimes felt sick but very mildly. How long have you been on it?