Methotrexate and how does it work for?

[rogerac]

I have been on methatrexate for 3 1/2 years and it appears that it is losing its effect, the symptoms appear to be coming back and I can't see my specialist until December, anyone experienced the same?

[Hidden]

Hi

If you are suffering from worsened symptoms then your rheumatiologist should see you early. If you phone your nurse and tell them they should get you in sooner.

Take care

Julie x

[Edie]

Yes it does as I am having the same problem. I also had to stop taking it as it was making me sick. Never had this before with this drug and no side effects. Your not alone! Been on it for 2 1/2 yrs and its lost its purpose. Went right to the best in my area of reumitoligists for a solution. Having read all the remarks about meds...what I dont want is to be a victim of the saying" if RA dont get you the meds will.Went from having no problems to full blown RA. I forgot I had it...well I sure know now. Get to the nearest University and get to the people who really know this disease as way to many bad doctors out there and dont want to recognize your problem. Some just sit and ignore this till you have a flare. Many thing your ok if your test results come back fine when your in pain. This is what you dont want. If money is a problem or your area is to far from the best...write them or call them for answers and directions to help with this. The doctors toss the first drug at you and then are lost for answers when this happens and StART THE DRUG BRIGADE. Good luck and keep a positive outlook.

[Hidden]

You may need additional medication if the MTX is not doing the job on it's own. Anti-tnf may be a possibility as an additional drug.

Your consultant does need to know your situation and how your feeling regarding your RA, give them a call to try and get your appointment brought forward or contact your GP who also may be able to help with this. You don't want the disease to get out of control!

I myself have been on MTX for about ten years and it's always alongside other meds, they have eventually stopped working for me but my consultant as always kept me on the MTX as it works extremely well alongside other drugs/dmards.

Take care

mand xx

[Edie]

Many drugs interact with others as mine did. I believe that Relifin really messed up the methotrextate with me as I was fine till the doc. put me on the second drug. Then it just stopped working. Many can tolerate some drugs others cant.

[Hidden]

Hi

In talking to people on the helpline, we commonly hear that their meds no longer seem to be as effective and we would always suggest that the caller goes back to see their rheumatologist or call the nurse helpline to dicsuss how best to manage things, this may involve adding in another drug, or even 2 more drugs, together with the methotrexate to increase the effect or changing to another DMARD completely. I have also spoken to people who found that changing to the injectable form of the Methotrexate increased its effect too.

Best wishes

Lorraine

[claireie]

Just changed to injecting methotrexate, but I havent had any improvement.

I think it works a little but I still need steroids and a biologic. Rituximab worked for a while and I had 5 months of no symptoms at all, even went to Italy for two weeks with my daughter and walked for miles. My next infusion on the 7th Oct is Abatacept. Anyone have good results with that?