Whats the shortest duration it took mtx to start working? i am currently in enbrel,it just wasnt doing the job,so they put me on mtx.4ml needle so i am wondering if i am truly going to have to wait 4 months for the med to beging to help
kel
Hi Kel,
I can't imagine mtx taking that long. I hear you say you are on injections? I am on the tablets and they worked in a few weeks. I don't know what the official time is I'm sorry but for me personally it didn't take that long. It sounds as though you have to be very carefuly with infections. I have never had problems with bad infections on mtx and have been on and off it for 14 years now. Maybe I am one of the lucky ones. I just make sure that I don't go in the sun which is a major thing to worry about. On the day I take mtx I plan a very quiet day so that if I feel off then I can just relax. It usually works for me. Have they put you on folic acid as well?
Sorry I couldn't be more help but good luck with the mtx. Take care
Howdy Kel!Kel; I take the pills so I can't really understand what does you're at. It was my experience though that the lower dose wasn't effective for me.
Once I was increased to a higher dose I got extremely good results. I'd highly recommend this medication to anyone that can tolerate it.
I've been on MTX (20 mg. pills) and Plaquenil since May of last year and it took a few months for me to feel better, although I think it's going to have to be bumped up. I also was terrified of starting it, but except for feeling really crummy at first, (when I took all the pills at once), it's been quite easy. Splitting the dose helps cut down on the immediate side effects, if you have any at all. And of course, you need the folic acid too. I just recently started thinking my hair may be a bit thinner, but it could be my imagination. It's slight, if at all. All it all, it's not nearly as bad as I feared and yes, some of those warnings are "covering their butt" because even if one person out of thousands in the trials had a side effect, they have to list it, according to my RD. I truly understand your reluctance, but I think it's worth giving it a shot. It's a miracle drug for many. Lol that sounds like me as well. I knew I probably should go ahead and start it, but I was stubborn and told my doctor no for three months. At the end of that, when I was still having more bad days than were necessary, I came to the realization that I was a 22 year old Spanish major telling a rheumatologist who spent who knows how many years in school and residency pursuing his speciality "no". I felt silly and started the MTX.