How much does MTX help you? | Arthritis Information

 

Im due to restart methotrexate but just wondered how much people on it, benefit?

I didnt feel any diference on the 12 months I was on it apart from feeling 'off' 2 or 3 days a week. I notice most of you are on mtx and wondered how you felt it helps?

Perhaps you could also mention any of the meds you use that 'really' help!

Thank you

< =text/>_popupControl(); I get good relief from mtx.  I can tell when I am due for my shot. 

As far as meds that "really" work..that is totally individual.  There are people that need nothing more than an NSAID to control their RA.  Then there are people on a combo of meds to control their RA.  I had a great experience with Humira until my RA decided to ramp up and change from mild to severe.  Then the Humira stopped working for me.  HOWEVER, there are people that have severe RA that Humira works exceedingly well for.  You just really have to sometimes play with meds to find what works for you.  It is very frustrating and take lots of patience to do that, but in the end it is very worth it! 

I don't think MTX does a whole lot for me.  It wasn't until enbrel was added that their were significant improvemnts.

Hi, I'm a big supporter of mTX , it was the maintenance drug for me. I would go from 10mgs, to less even!, (can you believe it!) when I felt my 'best'. Well, yes there are those crummy day (s) after taking it....wow , it would be good if it didn't make you feel tired, but is that the lack of it and the disease takes over, or is it the meds fighting the disease?

I've never known, but for 10 years it kept me in pretty good shape. No pain, swelling or stiffness. What else can we ask? I ask?

I'm sorry you haven't been helped, how much do you take?

Lynda

I've been on mtx for quite a while and on different amounts.  This is the first med I took that worked on me!  I had taken a lot of meds (before enbrel, humeria, etc. were available) and this is the only one that made me actually function normally. Cant remember what dose of mtx I was on (old age) I think it was 12.5mg used to have it every monday then blood clinic thursday's.

I have RA severe and have always been a little afraid of the newer drugs. If you type the name of the anti tnf's into google they all start with a warning of contracting TB etc with some fatalities!

I know Im a guy (which means I get scared easy!) but Im 'only' 48. and a bit 'chicken'.

This is party because I was a escapee from Vioxx. I was on it for years and repeatedly had to go to my Doctor with chest pain. He told me it was the RA working on the ligaments in my chest! The day we had it announced on the news here in the UK I rang him and he told me to stop immedietly!! guess what though? No more chest pains!

peddler39380.3902314815I've been on 20 mgs. of MTX weekly for nearly 6 months now, along with Plaquenil and I'm not sure which one is working or if it's both, but I'm doing so much better than I was.  It took several months to kick in and the improvement was very gradual, but it's definitely worked for me.  Eventually the RD will start cutting back on the meds a bit and then maybe I'll know for sure which one is helping the most.  Good luck.  I know it's frustrating when you're so ready to be relieved of the pain and it seems to take forever, or not work at all.  Hang in there, the right combo is out there for you.  It's just a matter of finding the right one(s).  I've taken MTX for 17 years and have slowly worked my way up to 17.5mg/week. I know it's working only because if I miss a week my joints start to bother me worse than what they normally do. It has not stopped the damage from occurring, some of my fingers and my left knee are the worst. Like Peddler, I was too afraid of the warnings on the newer drugs to start anything that might have stopped the damage, then again the damage started before biologics were even on the market. Remicade is working because a week before the infusion I start feeling worse.After about 9 months the creepy feeling that my joints were eating themselves up went away.  I couldn't explain it to a doctor for years, their notes make mention about how psychotic I sounded when I told them about it.  But 9 months of MTX stopped the feeling.  I also know its still going on, but at least I don't feel it anymore.  I think it works. 

I've been on MTX for I guess 5 years now. It makes a dramatic difference for me but I have to be on a high dose to get those results. I take 25mg and that's the only thing I take now. Well; I do take pain meds and muscle relaxers at times but for the most part my RA is under control with the high dose of MTX.

I'm fortunate to be able to tolerate it better than most. Many can't cope at this high dose. The people you hear that are having the best results are definately on the higher dose.

I am on 20 mg a week. If I go below  that  the Remicade I take might as well be water.

In my case, Without MTX the biologics simply dont work. I would give up a lot to ensure I keep taking the mtx.

 I am now up to 20 mgs. of MTX and it is helping but it is not doing the job.I am up to 12.5 mg and it is helping but not near enough. I am due to go back to my RD (or nurse practitioner) in November. She told me at the last visit when she increased the MTX to 12.5 mg that they would probably be increasing it more.

I have been taking 10 mg. of MTX for a little over a year.  It has made all the difference in the world for my quality of life.  I do sometimes get wrist or feet problems but that usually occurs right before I get my period. 

Before starting the MTX I had difficulty doing basic things.  I am so grateful that MTX has worked...so far.  I do worry that at some point that may change.

[QUOTE=justsaynoemore]I couldn't explain it to a doctor for years, their notes make mention about how psychotic I sounded when I told them about it.[/QUOTE]

I can't believe they even put that in their notes.  Totally uncalled for!

My RD recently started me on MTX because I've been flaring almost constantly.  I started with 7.5 mg in July and as of last night I'm up to 15 mg.  Last week, I only experienced pain on two days, the other five days were pain free!!!  I think it may be working.  The only thing I'm concerned about is that with the increased dosage last night, I had absolutely terrible diarrhea and nausea.  I'm hoping it was just coincidence, but I fear it isn't.

 

< =text/>_popupControl(); Kweenb...if you are getting an upset tummy from the mtx you can always switch to injecting it.  That avoids that stomach upset.  [QUOTE=justsaynoemore]... I think it works.  [/QUOTE]
Me too. I –know- that MTX + Plaquenil have arrested, if not improved, the progressive ulnar drift and pedal deformities of RA.

FWIW, Happ

< ="text/">_popupControl();I  just started MTX again this week. I am in a terrible flare from being off it for 3 months.  Was taking Arava instead. I know now how good the MTX was working when i thought it wasn't doing any good at all. Restarting at 10mg with a months worth of Prednisone to help with the swelling that the MTX usually keeps in control. I sure hope the MTX builds up quickly, i would gladly have upset tummy instead of pain!
Hi peddler,

Methotrexate was the first thing that started working on me, and I have tried a lot.  I was on a large dose of it (I was injecting it and a vial lasted me about 3-4 weeks).  Eventually the side effects made it impossible for me to function (about 6 months of this high dose), worse than the RA (I had been married for 2 years and had a small child).  We lowered my dose and things were better.  I am still on mtx (took a brief holiday from it) but a small dose of it and the side effects aren't anything I notice right now.
< =text/>_popupControl();

Peddler, are you on anything else besides the mtx like a biologic?  Sometimes you get better results if you are on a dmard (mtx) and a biologic (Humira, enbrel, remicade, etc) together.  Like Kathy in wlsv…my biologic might as well be water without the mtx.  But like I said before, some people can just take a dmard and the RA be under control. 

[QUOTE=justsaynoemore]After about 9 months the creepy feeling that my joints were eating themselves up  [/QUOTE]

Wow, that's how I describe the  pain that I sometimes feel in my shoulders!  So far it's just a very mild pain, but still, a different kind of pain unlike any I've ever felt.  Deep down and creepy, and very unsettling.  I think I'll mention this to my RD when I see her tomorrow. 

I don't really notice the Mx either unless I miss a dose.. and about a wk later, i really can tell.

but.. its still not holding back the pain, exhaustion, etc.

I am going to start doing the injections, so no more nausea (sometimes i get it w/ it, sometimes i don't

grammy i'm soooo glad to hear it helps w/ the stomach upsets!!That is good news and man i hope it works for me too!!

 

 

I've been on Methotrexate since January with no noticeable improvement, so my doctor just started me on Rituxan infusions, yesterday was the first.  He wants me to continue the Methotrexate too, so maybe the combo will help? 
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