Is there anything good to say about Methotrextate?

Hello, I have been taking hydroxy for over 10 years with no problems and when I forget to take it I feel the difference. I continue to be advise by my Rheumatologist to take Methotrexate and i refuse to take it , I know the doctor is trying to help but i know my body better than he does. I get sick from penicillin and the many long term side effects of memethotrexate can cause other serious conditions to the body. Im in constant pain, extremely fatigue and nausea, loose my balance, have brain fog, mix up words and forgetting what to say or where I am sometime . I just dont want any added illness from methotrexate.

Hi,I was put on methotrexate as soon as I was diagnosed with RA approx 9 yrs ago. I hated being on it and felt very nauseous so was changed to injecting it which did ease the nausea. After several months I just felt so unwell I asked if I could come off it and try something else. I was given information, including pamphlets to take away, on 3 alternatives and chose hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil). I even discussed coming off all medication but was told although the decision was ultimately mine it wasn't advised. I did feel listened to which was good but I also didn't want to gamble with my health at that point so in the end stuck with Plaquenil. At my annual checks I was told my RA was being managed well. Then to come up to date after being told at my last couple of annual reviews that I was "probably in remission " and "was in remission " I decided to ask again about coming off this time Plaquenil. I had basically been fine on it with no side effects other than it seemed to strip the colour from my hair. No matter how often I coloured my hair...just to try and keep it to its natural med brown...within a very short time it would end up a brassy gingery colour. Just frustrating more than anything else. It was the RA nurse I see every 6mths who said it was OK for me to come off it.To see how I go and if things deteriorated to go back and see her and I could go back on it. She would inform the consultant I was coming off it. I have been off my medication approx 9 mths now and have been absolutely fine. I think I have the same level of tiredness/low level pain etc that I had when on it. I managed to walk briskly every day for 30 mins and gradually lost a bit of weight (much needed). I felt very happy not being on anything despite initially feeling anxious about my decision. I'm due to see the consultant sometime this month. I hope he will be happy for me to stay off it. The only problem I have right now is ...almost 8wks ago I got a very bad case of shingles on the right side of my face. Had no idea it could be so bad and still dealing with it now long after the blistering and scabs have gone. It's been a nightmare. So one of my questions to the consultant will be did I get it because my immune system is compromised. Maybe it's got nothing to do with having RA and I could have got it regardless. If I have to go back on the hydroxychloroquine then I will. I think it's the one that has the least side effects. I think psychologically I prefer not to be on meds...I have to take them for other conditions. ..but I also want to be sensible and make the right choices.You can only monitor how you feel/how you are doing and get as informed as you can...read up, ask questions...you should be listened to...do what you feel is right for you as everyone is individual and will have their own story of what worked/didn't for them.Plenty of people manage well enough on Methotrexate. I have a friend with RA who tolerates it well yet she couldn't cope on Plaquenil.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

Remember that on a forum you will hear the negatives about anything rather than the positives. In the UK methotrexate is the first line approach for RA (the first on the list and to be tried) and works for the majority of patients - you only get to try others on the NHS once you have failed the previous one on the list. It has been used for many years - because of the good experiences with it.

Many people take methotrexate at the rheumatology doses without any problems at all and it works well for them. Some of the side effects only occur at the doses used in cancer chemotherapy - which are much higher. All drugs may have unpleasant side effects - including sulphasalazine which can cause sensitivity to sunlight which can be severe. If the methotrexate turns out to be too unpleasant for you to take they will try something else - but most drugs will eventually stop working as well as they did at first so it is silly to jump in half way down the list. If it were me I would try it - you may have a pleasant surprise.

I took Hydroxychloraquine for antimalarial use. This masked my symptoms of ra. Then my liver started to show problems with blood work.  Been on low dose steroids and methotrexate (weekly) injections and am leading a productive life.  Almost all the horror stories I have read are about mtx in pill form. 

Hi, sorry definitely nothing good from me about methotrexate, only on it a week ended up in A and E with terrible gut problems, other people may have no trouble, my RA is seronegative, and I an now on Benepali and sulfasalazine with no problems, good luck with the methotrexate.

I am 54 years old and I was diagnosed with Seropositive RA in May this year.

 

I was told it was aggressive and they would hit it as hard as it was hitting me. I was advised that Methotrexate 10mg with Hydroxychloroquine 200mg x 2 daily was the gold standard in RA treatment.

Scared as hell I almost didn't start it and looked at everything else I could do instead.

The horror stories mounted up and all around me was negativity. 

I decided to give it a go and see what happened. I was mid flare and had to have a steroid jab on the day I started Methotrexate. The date was July 9th. 

I researched all I could and started self help in that I got myself on Biotin 1000ui to prevent hair loss and Omega 3 as a natural anti inflammatory. I also took acidophilus to protect my gut.

I never take MTX on an empty stomach, but always have a supper of porridge oats (to protect the gut) and then go to bed soon after.  

Methotrexate didn't give me the awful side effects I had been warned about.... in fact I suffered a mild to moderate hangover until around lunchtime the following day and by week two I was fully functioning immediately on waking. Then I introduced Hydroxy - again, no side effects other than the occasional nausea wave, dealt with by taking ginger sweets.

My flare symptoms never returned and just one month later I was told the drugs were not just working, but working superbly!

And here I am today.... reducing my Naproxen as I no longer flare and only suffer minor soreness if I really overdo it. I am back at work and run at least twice a week and my fitness levels have returned.  

Give MTX a go and bare in mind the horror stories but keep an open mind too. It could be your saviour x