MTX? | Arthritis Information

Hi everyone, been awhile, sorry!
I went to see my doctor yesterday after a 3 week flare up in my hands , more the wrist's then fingers. I have a very hard time holding on to small objects without my hands shaking(sometimes violently) and even a cup of coffee can hurt to life because of my thumbs.
As you know I am fairly new at this, and the only meds I was taking was Pred 10mg once a day, OTC aleve OTC Vit b12, and Cod Liver Oil.
Now he wants to put me on Pred 2x a day and methotrexate, and folic acid .
I have read nothing but bad things about MTX and it's side effects and really DON'T want to take this MTX!
Would it be a good Idea to just do the pred 2x (10mg each) a day and maybe the folic acid and the others? and see how that works?
My doctor is adament about not continuing on pred much longer, ( only since May 2008) yet I have read (I think) some people using Pred for years without any problems.
is this MTX bot too fast a jump ?

No; I don't think it's a good idea to just take the predisone and see what happens. MTX is a disease modifying agent that will slow the progression of the disease. Predisone will likely make you feel better; but will not slow the damage the disease will cause to your joints long term.

If you are afraid of MTX try discussing with your doctor other DMARD options like Sulfersalizine or plaquinel. These are weaker DMARDS and might just do the trick.

Hope you have some success with something soon. Good Lcuk.

I have long believed that doctors RX what med's they get the best perks ( company reps give ) from and not really what is best for the patient.
I understand that something else need to be done, so predisone does nothing to slow the progressing of RA? I didn't know that, (sorry just a noob ya know)
I will ask about Plaquinel.
I must tell you that $ is a big issue ( no insurance) and he knows that as well.
I am 11 months away from getting Medicare and even if I applied for Disability it would take that long or longer to get it so I am in a catch 22.
Thanks for your reply!

Although I don't like either drug, I would rather use mtx than prednisone. You might benefit from learning a bit about antibiotic protocol therapy, which uses drugs with less possible side effects.

Resources are http://www.roadback.org/ and the book The New Arthritis Breakthrough by Henry Scammell. There are a few people on this forum using it with success.mtx is a generic med and is relatively inexpensive, The side effects for those with RA are generally mild and easily recoverable from once the med is stopped. Prednisone is fine for the short term but once you get over 5 mg a day the long term side effects can be bad.

Despite what is portrayed the vast majority of the tens of thousands of US doctors are honest hard working people and truly are trying their best to help you.

MTX has been around a long time and is pretty cheap. Everyone who gets the leaflet with the scary POSSIBLE side effects gets scared just like you. I was too. Now I have been using it with great success for 8 months. I am on a low dose of prednisone too which my doctor is comfortable about me continuing or tapering off (which is my plan)

Effects from untreated RA are scary too.

Feel better- much success to you in achieving a remisssion.

[QUOTE=slo_hand2]I have long believed that doctors RX what med's they get the best perks ( company reps give ) from and not really what is best for the patient.
I understand that something else need to be done, so predisone does nothing to slow the progressing of RA? I didn't know that, (sorry just a noob ya know)
I will ask about Plaquinel.
I must tell you that $ is a big issue ( no insurance) and he knows that as well.
I am 11 months away from getting Medicare and even if I applied for Disability it would take that long or longer to get it so I am in a catch 22.
Thanks for your reply!

[/QUOTE]

I have to disagree with your comment that doctors prescribe meds that they get perks from company reps and not what is best for the patient. That has never been my experience in the 31 yrs I've had RA. In fact, the drug your doc recommended, methotrexate, is an inexpensive drug and has been used to treat RA for years therefore is not on patent . I use injectable methotrexate which is not covered by my insurance, the cost for a month's supply is under . So your doctor may have also considered the low cost in suggesting mtx, as well as it is commonly recommended when RA is not controlled.

Plaquenil is another drug you may want to consider, but some have concerns about the possible side effects of this drug as well. You would need to have regular eye exams to ensure there is no plaquenil toxicity that would affect your retina. Methotrexate would also require monitoring your liver by having regular labwork, if you continuously had elevated tests you would discontinue the mtx.

I understand your hesitancy about methotrexate, I had those same reservations, but I've been on methotrexate for 20 years now. I switched from pills to injectable as I had stomach issues not only from the mtx pills but from all the RA pills I was on. My labwork (alt/sgpt tests) continue to be normal.

We all are different though and respond differently to RA meds. Sometimes its a trial and error kind of thing. One thing to consider is if you went on mtx to control the RA now, when you get your insurance in 11 months perhaps you could switch to a different drug then.

While prednisone may give you relief, it is not a drug that you can take long term, as it too has side effects, one being it can thin bones.

Look into the antiobiotic protocol, if you are recently diagnosed it may be something that may work for you, and I "think" is inexpensive.

Good luck and take care.

MTX is cheap and works for a lot of people. I'm on that, along with other drugs, but I'm trying so hard to get off of Prednisone. If you can, get off that before it's too hard.Thank you for all your replies, the point about dr's taking perks was just a thought, although I have seen and heard many time with many dr's while my parents were alive, but don't want to delve on this point.
I will try the MTX as all of you have given me some encouragement, thank you!

I GUESS IT'S JUST THAT I'M STILL IN A BIT OF DENIAL AS TO THE RA IT SELF, I KNOW IT'S FOOLISH.
Thank you all!

We've all been there. We don't mean to belittle your concerns. Definately check into your options. I'm a big believe in starting low and workig your way up. I was on much weaker DMARDS for many years before ever using MTX and had great success. You can always go up....but rarely does going down work out. Once your body adjust to the stronger meds the weaker ones rarely work for folks. In my case I maxed out on the weaker ones and then worked into the stronger ones. I was able to do that with milder RA in my early years. Mine has progressed over the years but I still manage very nicely.

You aren't foolish. You being here asking questions proves that. It's smart.

Again thanks to the latest posters and yes I knew that about folic acid , but thanks , you had no idea if I knew or not so the information was good.
I started the MTX today 1 2.g mg pill, next week on Wednesday I have to take 2- 2.5mg, and the week after that 3-2.5 mg pills, and then continue that for the next 3 months, 3 MTX a week.
Just as a point of information my Rheumatoid Factor Quant was 716.90, when tested back in June.
I started MTX last night and was SCARED TO DEATH to take it! My RD started me off with 15 mg right away. I take 6 2.5 mg pills per week. So far, no side effects at all!
I had all the same fears as you do. :)
hi I've been taking mtx, for a looooong time, and only got scared after i came here, ...

i'm lucky it seems bc no major side effects,

weaned off pred and on mtx..and some major other things.. this disease happens fast!! believe me, i was in denial like you, a lot of us are , .. some even a yr, then realize.. F.. its not getting better and just going to get worse... bc I've been taking all the major stuff..

my xrays show no major progression.. Yay.. which is huge ..but i really do hate this disease!

keep on w/ it :) , its worth it..

Slo & Gram.....good for you both! Glad you've both decided to put your fears aside and go for it. Honestly; these side effect warnings are rarely going to happen. It's good that you haven't let your fears deter you.

Hope all goes well.