MTX | Arthritis Information

 

Just wondering how long after starting MTX that you thought it might be working?  I have started on two weeks of 10mg and then going to 15mg. I am currently on 12.5mg prednisolone and rheumy wants it reduced to 10mg at end of week.  Pain is just starting to return so hoping it may start kicking in soon.  Thanks in advance

Hi Sal, I did not respond to MTX or the dose prednisone I was on from 11/20/07-1/4/08 MTX worked well for me but not until the dose reached 20mg per week...took about 2 months to really kick in.  At lower doses it did nothing.  Everybody is different of course. It took about five months for me, most of that time at 20 mg. I hope it doesn't take that long for you. Ok--I almost hate to post because my reactions to everything is so different than everyone else.  I took my first dose of Mthx and the next day I stopped taking the Advil was was living on.  It took more than  a few months because he kept increasing dose.  I'd say a couple of months after I reached 25 mg.  Sometimes I questioned whether it was doing anything at all, but the longer I've been on it, 2 days before I'm due for my dose my stiffness comes back.  I've finally started Humira with it, so it's a combo for me. I started it 6 weeks ago, and I stopped the Prednisone four weeks ago, I was on 10 mg PRed and I stopped it all of a sudden, because my rheumy wanted my CRP to increase , so that I could be admittend in a clinical trial for a new biologic. Actually, it kept getting better and better, from a flare that went from top to toe I now feel almost healthy again. Just some stiffnes in my some fingers and at the back of the knees. It's almost too good to be true! I take 10 mg MTX. As I am a beginner in this RA business, I sometimes wonder if I it was the MTX or maybe I just am very lucky....hm... much too early to really enjoy the good results, but.....

My CRP dropped from 48 to 12.

Good luck and all the best!
[QUOTE=Debrakay] Sometimes I questioned whether it was doing anything at all, but the longer I've been on it, 2 days before I'm due for my dose my stiffness comes back.  I've finally started Humira with it, so it's a combo for me.[/QUOTE]This is the way it works for me as well.
I take mtx on Sat night and usually sometime friday I start to feel things, not bad at all, just start to feel.
Actually it's thursday here in Aus and have been at a bit of a hobble because of hip.
I reckon I have caused that by playing with the dog in the morn on a hard floor.
I was rolling around and all.
I surpose some would say I'm lucky to be able to get on the floor in the first place.
Hi Sal, for me it took forever to start working and then I couldn't take anymore due to severe vomitting and tummy trouble, hair loss, and terrible headaches and mouth ulcers, but through persistence on lower doses, I have gradually got to 10mg now and coping.  It helps a little but I didn't realise how much until I had to stop it again for acute chest infection.  Keep trying and good luck.  Janie. Hi Sal, Took about 6 weeks for me.

The MTX took about 2 months to work for me.  It didn't kill all the pain but it was manageable. But when I threw in the Humira the difference was incredible.  Now I never vary when I take it or the Humira.  I am afraid if I change anything I will go back to being in pain.  I do notice that about 36 hours before it is due I 'feel' different.

I wouldn't know I was on it, really.  Now that I have increased my folic acid, I don't even notice it (good or bad) the day after I take it.  But my doctor plans to add plaquenil (I hope).  Oh, I've been on it for 7 weeks now.i started it last week and i was curious about this too, glad you posted this question.  i hope it works sooner rather than laster for us both:))
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