Posted , 7 users are following.
I started methotrexate 4 weeks ago and till he pain. w long does it take for everyone no is on it? This is my first me here. I hope we a but the 92nd of Noel soon. Thanks.
0 likes, 12 replies
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mrsmop deborah78257
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deborah78257 mrsmop
Posted
sukes deborah78257
Posted
Hello Deborah, I think your text has a mind of it's own lol.
Methotrexate takes about 3 months to really kick in, I'm surprised your Rheumy didnt tell you that. You should be having regular blood tests as well to make sure that your liver, kidneys etc are coping with the meds. I could not cope with the side effects unfortunately so had to stop after about 7 weeks, I hope your body is more tolerant than mine. Good luck and I really really hope they work for you. x
Justgettinby deborah78257
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I've been on it since last August 12th and I feel like it still hasn't "kicked in". My Rheumatologist wants to put me on Enbrel too, but I just can't get myself talked into it. Mostly because I have to decide if I want to try it for a cost of $7150 (my deductible before insurance will cover any of it - yep, I live in the USA) But also because I'm aprehensive to be on a biologic along with the MTX. I feel sick as hell for 2-3 days after my MTX shot, and if I have to do 2 shots how am I going to feel? UGH, this disease sucks - mostly sucks the life out of me. I have nodules popping up all over the place now too, but my hands and left wrist seem to be the most painful right now. Anyway, most on here find it helpful after a few months, I'm just one of the unlucky that it helps, but not without other drugs I guess.. Good luck to you!
deborah78257 Justgettinby
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Thank you for getting back to me. Its my left hand and wrist, and fingers also. But I also have it on my feet, and shoulders and collar bone. My son takes Enbrel, and methotrexate shots, and he has no sick effects, and feels great. But not his mom, I seem to have all the pain. Lol! I'm glad for him tho
Guest Justgettinby
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Don't worry about it. I took MTX by itself and doc kept raising the dose until I couldn't stand it anymore. I am on Embrel now and it didn't work real good so they added a little MTX to boost it and it works! I fought against the MTX because I hated it so bad but it only takes a small dose to boost the Embrel. This is the best I have been in a long time. I still have a lot of pain but when I flare it's not nearly as severe as it used to be and doesn't last as long. Give it a try, if it doesn't work, then go to something else. I do have to say the shots of Embrel hurt like hell, don't go to fast. Ice the injection spot down really good. Lay the syringe out the night before so you make sure it's room temp. Your doctor should reduce the amount of MTX you are taking if you start on Embrel and the MTX side effects won't be as bad. I take the pills.
timothy11402 deborah78257
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Hi, Deborah....
might i I suggest a thorough review of your drug regimen and your symptoms with your rheumatologist? Something isn't right. Maybe even a second opinion'? You shouldn't have to suffer like this.
tony35673 deborah78257
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The thing to remember is: everybody is different. For some MTX may start to work within 2 weeks, or 6 weeks, or 3 months; and for some, MTX it may not work at all. Most Rheumatologists give it 12 weeks, if it hasn't made any difference by then they may withdraw it and move you on to something else, or they may keep you on it and ad something else. MTX is the base standard drug for RA and usually works best in combination with other meds.
deborah78257 tony35673
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lyn1951 deborah78257
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My Rheumo could not understand why my MTX was not working.
Started me off on 5mg, 3 months later no result in blood tests, ESR & CRP still elevated.
put me up to 10mg, then again 15 mg, and again 20mg changed 3 months apart, blood tests did drop a little, but not as much as she expected.
shaking her head at me, she said we are going to have ablood test done the day after you take the tablets to see how much you have in your system, very low.
AH HA, she had the answer, I was not taking up the MTX across my stomach, and needed to have my MTX by injection, that worked, and has brought my Psoratic arthritis under control.
She has tryied other drugs, much to both our disgust, they do not work, or they cause me such bad such effects, extremely high blood pressure, dangerously high, that I had to be withdrawn from them immediately, so back to MTX.
tony35673 deborah78257
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Justgettinby tony35673
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So true Tony! The only abnormal lab I've had with this disease extremely high RF and CCP AB. Otherwise, all other tests have been normal. Even when I couldn't walk down the stairs because my knees wouldn't bend, or across the room without looking like a zombie because of my feet, or turn my head because my neck was so inflamed - all inflammation tests were normal. I have 2 brothers and a sister who are all the same with RA. Glad to know there are more exceptions to the "inflammation" marker rule.. Wildfire is a good term to say how the pain and inflammation spreads with this disease.