Rheumatoid Arthritis & Methotrexate.

[Mr Pies]

I wasn't going to post up a out this but I'm after some advice from fellow sufferers.

I was finally diagnosed with RA 8 weeks ago (after 4.5 years) I was put onto Methotrexate almost immediately.

First 4 weeks I was on 10mg a week and the last 4 I've been on 15mg.

I just wanted to to ask anyone else who's taking it, how long did it take to start working?
As I say I'm 8 weeks in and feel no different at all. I feel quite down about it all again if I'm totally honest.

TIA.

[Squadrone Rosso]

Sorry I missed this. How are you getting on?

I'm currently on 15mg with a target of 25mg. Started taking it in February but the road hasn't been smooth.

I take it for psoriatic arthritis / psoriasis. Initially it worked great then wears off, as each dose increases it works well again.

Main issues for me have been severe headaches, nose bleeds, high blood pressure (unusual but I have spinal issues too & take a lot of meds for that), sickness, major squits even if I have a half a lager and I seem to get colds etc despite having every vaccination etc. Also, get weird blood blisters some times & cuts take forever to heal.

On Domperidone to counter the sickness, Omaperazole for stomach issues & folic acid too. I've been offered I/V as the dose rises as this limits the side effects but I can't be doing with the time off work.

Regular two weekly blood tests are the norm and you have to call the GP's at the first sign of infections etc.

Is it worth it? Honestly, I'm not sure......

Good luck with it,

ATB,

Simon

[mr_spock]

My son has JIA, not RA, but spent many years on MTX, with a couple of period off it. For him, it started working between 8 and 12 weeks. Side effects are nausea, the jab stings so many kids resist it, he has to take folic acid to protect his liver, regular blood and eye tests (for uveitis).

He's on Enbrel now, and has refused the MTX although they work well together, and it would protect his eyes. The Enbrel alone seems to be working well on its own, with none of the side effects.

For other kids, MTX variously works brilliantly, or in some cases does nothing for various types of JIA and individuals.

FWIW, most kids find that the liquid is the least effective and has the worst side effects, tablets aren't great, and the jab is the most effective but they don't like it much.

[Mr Pies]

I'm on 20mg a week now. I've also been taking Sulphasalazine for 3 months. As of Tuesday this week, they are putting me onto Enbrel in 2 weeks.
The reason being, I'm doing quite well at the moment, but I'm still taking Diclofenac 3 times a day which they are desperate for me to stop doing. When I do stop taking it, I really go downhill, hence why they're putting me on Enbrel.

Amazingly I have not had one side effect at all from MTX. I hope I am the same with Enbrel. Must admit, I am not looking forward to it at all. I have a bit of a phobia of needles, but if it means I can start exercising again, then I'll man up and take it

[74merc]

My wife was taking it once a week for RA, not sure of the dosage. The side effects were too much to ignore, so she stopped taking it and is trying to manage it using diet. She is doing ok, not 100% either. PPIs like Omnaprazole aren't good to be taking long term either.