RA - how long does it take for MTX to work?
Posted , 7 users are following.
hi, I was diagnosed with possible very early RA a few months ago and was put on MTX very quickly with the hope of heading it off at the pass (I'm within a window of opportunity apparently). My diagnosis was led by a couple of blood tests (RF and anti CCP positive) as I have no inflammation in the joints, just a little bit in my tendon sheath in fingers and toes, and I feel fine otherwise. But I'm not convinced by the diagnosis and I worry that everyone is now focussing on RA without looking for another solution. My infllammatory blood markers are near perfect and have been so since I had a one off steroid injection before I started taking the MTX (0.6 crp and 6 ESR). I've been taking the MTX for 12 weeks now. I was weaned up to my dose of 15mg gradually (first 4 weeks I was on 10 then 12.5).
But I feel no different to how I felt right at the very beginning. The steroid injection was great. But I was left with this constant nagging pain in my fingers and toes which has never gone away. Surely if the MTX was going to work, it would have done something by now ? How long did it take for you guys for it to do something?
Im worried that I don't have RA, that I have something else wrong with me, and the reason why MTX is not working is because I don't have an immune system problem. I also don't see how one can have RA and constant pain without any actual inflammation.
any thoughts gratefully received as I have no route back to the rheumatologist until the middle of feb, my next appt with him after going on the MTX.
0 likes, 12 replies
mrsmop cornishrex
Posted
I don't feel as though it is doing much for me but I know that if I stop taking it, I immediately feel as though I am swallowing razor blades, so it is obviously doing something.
Can't you contact your Rheumatologist via his secretary? That is how I contact my Dermatologist.
Ever_hopeful cornishrex
Posted
cornishrex
Posted
i knew I had to give this MTX stuff a chancel but now that I'm 12 weeks in with no difference, no inflammation, and still pain, I'm running out of patience. But no side effects either. I might just as well be taking a placebo.
mrsmop cornishrex
Posted
Personally, I would keep taking the MTX until I saw the Consultant again. Don't they prescribe Naproxen for RA, alongside the MTX? Obviously you have to be aware that Naproxen can cause gastric irritation and perhaps take Ranitidine too. 12 weeks isn't very long.
I think it would be reasonable for you to contact the Rheumatologist.
Lisa_Batts cornishrex
Posted
Ever_hopeful cornishrex
Posted
kate06315 cornishrex
Posted
i was started on MTX in October 2013 and I took 3 months to stop vomiting 😠
But it stopped suddenly and I have to say I then started feeling better than I had for some time 😀 I was moved up to the maximum dosage in a fairly short time period which could explain the vomiting, but it did seem to make a difference from January 2014, so I would advise you to hang on in there and review it with your rheumatologist in February. Do you have access to a nurse specialist? In my hospital there is a rheumatology team that includes several really good nurse practitioners and if patients have any concerns they can call the rheumatology helpline & leave a message - I've nearly always had a call back within 24 hours, it's a great service. If you have this at your hospital, it would be worth giving them a call maybe? Hope you feel a bit better soon, good luck 😀
brenda05405 cornishrex
Posted
cornishrex
Posted
Ho hum. I don't have access to specialist nurses or contact details for the rheumatologistn secretary. I visited the rheumatologist privately in a completely different hospital to the one I am being referred bCk to him on via the NHS (private hospital v NHS hosp). GPs don't even believe I have RA (and I've got opinions from three of them at the local surgery). They say a positive anti CCP result with nothing else to back it up is not enough.
thanks for thoughts. I'll keep taking the flipping MTX until I see the rheumatologist again in feb.,..
brenda05405 cornishrex
Posted
Natalia97 cornishrex
Posted
mrsmop Natalia97
Posted
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/browse/methotrexate-2930
Some people prefer the injections because they don't feel so nauseous on injections. If you take the pills, it is easier to take a lower dose if necessary, until you have settled on the right one.
Methotrexate [MTX] comes in tablets of 2.5mg and it is taken once a week, so if you are prescribed 10mg, then you take 4 tablets. You also have to take folic acid and Consultants vary in what dosage they prescribe
https://patient.info/medicine/methotrexate-maxtrex-metoject
Have you read this?
I hope this little bit will help but, do start your own post on the Methotrexate link, above.