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Should I start Methotrexate .

Posted , 14 users are following.

Divya2006
Divya2006

My wife was recently diagnosed with RA by rheumatologist after blood test, x rays of both wrist and MRI of left wrist to confirm. 

She was taking levothyroxine for 6-8 years. Some how her HYPOTHYROIDISM slowly turned into HYPERTHYROIDISM, (may be because of autoimmune disease) and now she takes methimazole to treat hyperthyroidism. 

She had total knee replacement surgery in 2008 for right knee and in 2017 for left knee. 

Other than mild bilateral wrist pain she is in good health. No other RA symptoms.  

She is 66 years old,does regularly yoga and stretching exercise. 

Dr is suggesting methotrexate 10mg once a week to start with,increase to 20mg down the road along with Biologicals. 

I am retired pharmacist by the way. Our daughter is physician and strongly suggest to start methotrexate to minimize damage. 

Myself and my wife are very reluctant to start such a strong medications. 

Any suggestion and inputs will be greatly appreciated. 

 

1 like, 43 replies

43 Replies

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  • Tammyshernia
    Tammyshernia Divya2006

    Posted

    Don’t do it
    • Divya2006
      Divya2006 Tammyshernia

      Posted

      You wan't believe t. My wife's primary care physician said exactly opposite. He said if my mother or wife had to take it I will encourage them to take it. By the way my wife took her first dose of 4 tablets 10 minutes ago. Just curious to know for how long you  took methotrexate 2.5mg tablets. 

      Will see how well she tolerates. 

    • dix08091
      dix08091 Divya2006

      Posted

      When my dr. gave me the 12 tablets, I took 6 at the same time waited a week and took 6 again on same day a week later. Then she had me go to the hospital for blood tests. They took 4 vials of blood. Dr. told me she would check these and then at next appt. she said she can go by the blood to see exactly the dosage etc. that I needed for this med. Also said when she gives this med she keeps close track of me. I haven't had follow-up appt. yet.

  • dorothy33988
    dorothy33988 Divya2006

    Posted

    Hello. I was diagnosed about a year and a half ago for seropositive RA. The first started me out on Plaqnuil. Just recently do to other conditions and progressing symptoms was advised to take methotrexate. I started on Friday of this past week. It is amazing how different people's opinions are about this medication. Some swear by it and others are adamantly against it. Sorry I don't know more.

  • Divya2006
    Divya2006

    Posted

    I have been following discussion every now and then. Are majority of members in this forum in USA ? Just curious to know. 

    By the way it's been five weeks since my wife started to take methotrexate 2.5mg tablet, four tablets once every Sunday. So far she is tolerating well without major side effects. She had been complaining about upper back stiffness,pain specially more in morning. 

    Her recent  total knee replacement in left leg was getting better. But some how after starting methotrexate it's more painful and sore. 

    She also started to take turmeric powder,cinnamon powder and fenugreek powder in luke warm water everyday in morning besides Kirkland brand Wild Alaskan Fish Oil capsule and flaxseed powder daily. 

    When she saw her endocrinologist doctor last week for her hyperthyroidism follow up appointment, he suggested to avoid dairy products and wheat flour as much as possible. 

    So she started to use home made almond milk. And started to use millet flour, sorghum flour,flaxseed powder to make roti ( Indian bread ) daily. 

    She has an appointment with rheumatologist PA for blood work on this Monday and follow up following Monday. 

    I did not know how to add above information to her own profile so added as reply to Divya 2006. 

    Hope and pray everyone in the group is feeling better in spite of minor ache and pain on and off. 

    Love the honest,motivating,informative and very helpful discussion. 

    Divya. 

    • cherylnanny
      cherylnanny Divya2006

      Posted

      Hi Divya. Just for info, I'm in the UK. I'm glad your wife is a few weeks into her treatment without too many problems. Sounds like the changes in her diet will make a difference too. Things will continue to improve I'm sure. Wishing you well with the bloods next week. Let us know how things progress. Regards Cheryl.

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 Divya2006

      Posted

      I am in Brisbane, Australia.  my trigger sets off my arthritis into a flare is wheat, I do my best to stay away from any wheat products, no am not celciac, have been tested and came back negative.
  • Divya2006
    Divya2006

    Posted

    It's been almost a month since my wife saw nurse practioner in rheumatologist's office. Her blood work  came out alright. NP is suggesting to increase the MTX oral dose to 15mg once a week. 

    No major side effects yet except her both leg muscles got weak and painful. While walking every now and then her left leg gives out ( buckles ) and she is afraid of falling down. I am not sure it is the side effect of MTX or something to do with her spine.( When she saw her orthopedic surgeon last week for follow up appointment,he suggested her to see Spine specialist for buckling issue)

    Her upper back pain still bothers her specially in morning and no improvement in her bilateral pain at the base of wrists. 

    Everytime when I read various health issue, problems encountered by this forum members I get scared and worried but try to keep positive outlook. My wife is not fluent in English so one way its blessing otherwise she will get very depressed 

    I sincerely appreciate and admire that everyone in forum is honest,open and try to help and encourage others.

    Ben 

     

  • Divya2006
    Divya2006

    Posted

    It's been almost a month since my wife saw nurse practioner in rheumatologist's office. Her blood work  came out alright. NP is suggesting to increase the MTX oral dose to 15mg once a week. 

    No major side effects yet except her both leg muscles got weak and painful. While walking every now and then her left leg gives out ( buckles ) and she is afraid of falling down. I am not sure it is the side effect of MTX or something to do with her spine.( When she saw her orthopedic surgeon last week for follow up appointment,he suggested her to see Spine specialist for buckling issue)

    Her upper back pain still bothers her specially in morning and no improvement in her bilateral pain at the base of wrists. 

    Everytime when I read various health issue, problems encountered by this forum members I get scared and worried but try to keep positive outlook. My wife is not fluent in English so one way its blessing otherwise she will get very depressed 

    I sincerely appreciate and admire that everyone in forum is honest,open and try to help and encourage others.

    Ben 

     

  • Divya2006
    Divya2006

    Posted

    By the way I forgot to mention that my wife is having burning sensation on bottom of her feet for almost 2-3 years specially at night time. Lately got little better but it came back again. Still no clue what is causing that. 

    Ben. 

  • cherylnanny
    cherylnanny Divya2006

    Posted

    Hi Ben. Pressure to the wrists might help. Normal crepe stretchy bandage helps me. THE FEET...... Sink them in ice cold water every other night. Sounds barbaric but it worked for me. I feel your wife may need a supplementary medication with Mtx to assist relief.
    • Divya2006
      Divya2006 cherylnanny

      Posted

      Thank you very much for your suggestion. 

      She will try anything to get some relief. 

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