Should I start Methotrexate .

Hi,  So sorry to hear of your wife’s diagnosis!  I was diagnosed in 2005, I was in such pain I thought my life was over!  I was put on prednisone, methotrexate, leufonamide and Humira.  I got my life back!  I am now just on Humira and feel good, very little pain.  My doctor told me it needs to be treated aggressively in the beginning to stop the joint damage and then you can back off and see how it goes.  I was very worried but I am so glad I followed his advice!  If the medication shortens my life at least I lived it pain free while I was here!  By the way I am now 69 years young!  Good luck to both of you!

Thank you to everyone for a quick response. Going to see primary physician to discuss and get his opinion too. Luckily my wife has very little pain in both wrist so far which is manageable. 

Not a big fan of methotrexate. The long term side effects are not really worth it. I was diagnosed with RA in 2014 and it was dreadful. Gradually I am back to my old self although it started in my hip and that will eventually need replacing - but it is getting stronger so surgery isn't necessary just yet. I am down to paracetamol twice a day and a half to one meloxicam. My symptoms have naturally subsided while I radically altered my diet and stuffed in 5000 mg of omega 3 daily to stop stiffness.

I don't want these ridiculously strong drugs. You have to find out what type of RA you have and how to manage it.

I was diagnosed 4 years ago at age 62   with RA. So , like your wife, I ve had to come to terms with both the diagnosis and the meds. I totally agree with your daughter to  take the methotrexate to hold back progression of the disease which can cause not only joint damage but also affect heart, lungs and other parts of the body. It also can cause huge fatigue because of the autoimmune reaction ( was the hypothyroidism linked with the auto immune condition Hashimotos?)

Methotrexate for RA is very much weaker dose  than when it is used for cancer chemotherapy. You have to have regular blood tests to check liver function. This is the go to drug to begin with and is generally effective. I did not have side effects.

The trouble is you don't know how aggressive the disease will be at the beginning. Only in the wrists sounds hopeful. But mine started in a shoulder , knee and thumb. Within 6 months I was very badly affected and taking highest dose of mxt sulfasalazine and hydroxychloroquine. Fortunately I qualified for a biologic ( I m in uk) which has totally controlled it and brought me remission. I say that to encourage you to engage with treatment not to scare. The NICE guidelines encourage early diagnosis and aggressive treatment in the early stages. I am sure this early diagnosis for your wife and treatment prescribed will benefit.

kind regards

I have only taken 2 doses of methorexate, so can't really tell yet how it's working. But on reading side effects of methorexate and meloxicam. I chose methorexate. I have never read such side effects that meloxicam can cause, which is a risk of blindness. So I guess choose? As others have said and your daughter included, it's wise to do something. Why spend what's left of your life in pain?

My wife saw her primary doctor recently. He advised her also to start methotrexate and said majority of patients tolerate well. So she is going to start tomorrow night. 

I sincerely appreciate for encouraging words from all of you. 

Well I tell you what my pharmacist said to me ...pharmacist...I can’t tell you not to take this med but I can tell you if a dr prescribed this for my wife or mother I wouldn’t let them ...well I decided to take it awhile but I took 6 1 time a week...I went to a different Dr and she took me off  immediately