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

12 Replies

  • Posted

    I take MTX for a skin disease but we are all told the same basic things, it can take 12 weeks before you begin to notice any difference.

    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.

     

  • Posted

    I saw 5 doctors before I was diagnosed with RA...from the original pain in my fingers things got worse & worse until I could hardly lift my head from the pillow...so my feeling is that I would have loved to be in your shoes and to have caught it early before damage to joints. I'm 95% sure that you have RA from the few symptoms you mention but if you have any concerns ring the specialist's secretary for another appointment. I've had more success doing that than going through a GP. I know it's discouraged but have you tried googling your symptoms....are your hands very cold for instance which could be a symptom of something else? Are you near fields that have been spayed with insecticides? However, GP's are recognising RA much quicker these days but if you're worried about MTX ask to cut down on your dosage, or to try another drug. For me, even with side effects, it has been life changing. Very best of luck to you.
  • Posted

    Thanks for thoughts so far. Unfortunately I'm between tracks in the health system at the moment. I went private to get a rapid referral to rheumatologist to rule out RA, got an appt within a week, and then my private health insurance cover ran out within one appt. so the rheumatologist told me what to do with the MTX and then contacted my GQP to refer me back to him on the NHS, which is taking about 4 months on the NHS waiting lists. So I'm not formally assigned to him on NHS yet. No-one I can contact other my GPS who are worse than useless.

    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.

    • Posted

      Could you not contact the Consultant's secretary and ask him to try to speed things up a little?  And to ask for some advice while you wait.  If he's a decent man, he will tell you what to do.

      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.

       

  • Posted

    I agree with Mrs Mop. Contact your specialist through the secretary. Although they are difficult to get extra appointments with they are usually willing to speak with you on the phone. I agree the doctors are next to useless. I would certainly not stop taking it until you have spoken to your specialist. Good luck 😊
  • Posted

    Just to say my experience with Naproxen was a nightmare - I was driving on the wrong side of the road (quite happy that I was on the correct side!) and I really, really wouldn't want to take it with MTX. sad
  • Posted

    Hi there 😀

    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 😀

  • Posted

    I re located from the east coast to the west so I had to change Rheumis.During my first exam he didn't think I really had RA until he saw the results of my blood work and xrays..I take MTX, Sufasalazine, and folic acid with good results so far Have had a few shots in my fingers which really helped. heard that RA moves around the body and you never know from day to day where it might show up 
  • Posted

    Thanks everyone. I'll keep taking the MTX. I was waiting for the magic 12 weeks to pass and then to see results. Which I haven't seen. So I started wondering when you count the 12 weeks from - is it 12 weeks from starting the initial dose of 10mg or 12 weks from when you hit the full dose of 15mg. 

    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.,..

    • Posted

      It's good to take control of your health.Don't get discouraged and keep up the fight for the truth
  • Posted

    Hi. I'm 17 years old and I have juvenile orthopaedic arthritis. I'm starting methotrexate next week and I'm verry woried about the side effects. Would you recomend the injection or the oral pills? Grateful for answers!
    • Posted

      Hi Natalia, why don't you start your own post, asking this question, you might find that you get more replies.

      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.

       

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