One more methotrexate question... | Arthritis Information

I was diagnosed with RA in February 2005 but had been experiencing symptoms since I was 18 (I am going to be 23 in a month). They had told me it was palindromic rheumatism. Now they have upped the diagnosis to RA. I was put on methotrexate in March and now I am on injections of 20 mg per week. I have been taking the drug in injection form for nearly five weeks now. I am not supposed to be going to see my rheumatologist until mid to end OCtober at the three month mark, however I have noticed my symptoms getting worse and have changed the appointment to mid September, the earlist one I could get. My family and I have noticed that my fatigue has been much worse and my energy levels way down since starting the injections. I also have morning stiffness that lasts all day and I can feel the RA moving into other joints. From all of your personal experience, could this be being caused by the upped dosage of mtx? Like can some people's bodies start getting opposed to the drug or is this more likely just my RA getting worse? I'm worried that I not only don't feel better but actually feel worse and am wondering what your views on the situation are...can't get to see the doctor until Sept 19.

Britenny

Hi Britenny,

I am currently taking 22.5 mg of mtx but was started
on a lower dosage. It made me really tired all over
for the first few weeks thenI got a littl emore used to it
and it wasn't so bad. Then when my dosage was
increased I felt overly exhausted for several weeks.
Now I am really tired the next day after taking it, but it
is not so bad the rest of the week.

I have been having problems in general with fatigue,
but can really feel the tiredness from the mtx the day
after. It also took about 4-6 weeks before I
started noticing that it was helping the ra. Now I am
really glad I am taking it.

As far as your symptoms being all from the mtx
personnally, to me, it sounds like a combination of
the effects of the upped dosage as well as the ra.
But hopefully you will start seeing positive results
from it. Too bad you couldn't get in to the rd sooner,
but hang in there! Keep track of your symptoms and
share then with your rd when you go.

Take care

ARE YOU ON A DMARD AS WELL AND NSAID? SOME PEOPLE CAN'T HANDLE THE HIGHER DOSAGES OF MTX. YOUR RHEUMY COULD LOWER THE MTX AND ADD ANOTHER DMARD. CALL YOUR RHEUMY AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

PS ARE YOU ON FOLIC ACID? I WAS WHEN I WAS ON MTX. HELPS REDUCE SIDE EFFECTS ALOT!!!

KarenNTx38585.8523148148Hi Britenny, I'm sorry to hear that you're having a tuff time of it You might want to see about taking a type of folic acid if your not on it already, with your mtx. I take leucovorin calcium (folic acid) and I still get really tired and the mtx headache not the next day, but two days after. But without the folic acid my side effects would be a lot worse Hope that helps.
Take care,
Mina
I also have side effects of tiredness, etc., especially a day or two after I take my weekly dosage. Using pred also helps. I agree with all of the above. You might want to leave your doctor a message though just to let them know what's going on. They may have other plans.

I never heard of taking folic acid with mtx to decrease fatigue. Do you take anything else, Mina? I just started mtx. Can't blame it for my fatigue as I have so many other contributing factors...but only get a pick up with medrol.

Hope you get some relief soon ,Britenny. Hang in there.Everyone here is helpful...and some really make my day with the humor.Try to keep yours, it helps.

Diane

I'd been on MTX more than three years before I really started taking the Folic Acid. My RD told me it was optional. I recently started having some strange sentations in my legs; almost like they were falling asleep. He said my body may be lacking the folic acid and suggested using it. I do believe it has helped.

It's not really going to hurt anything to try it. They say MTX depleats the body of folic acid.

Brit; Hope you're feeling better soon. MTX has been a good drug for me but I had to steadily increase it more nad more until I was at 22.5mg; than I added Humira. I'm not sure how long you've been on it but it won't work forever. Changes always have to be made...at least that's been my experience.