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Three months after diagnosis, my rheumy gave me a scrip for methotrexate 2.5 mg and prednisone 5 mg.  I argued about the pred but he said take this small dose to knock down the pain, stiffness and swelling till the mtx takes effect.  My research indicates that this is a good beginning treatment for RA, and I am going along with it though I still have an appointment with another doctor next week for a second opinion.

 
He said to take folic acid, which I can buy over the counter but I didn't ask him the dosage on that.  Is there a standard amount to take?  I can call and ask next week but input from you folks would be useful.  He took a baseline chest x-ray as well because of possible lung problems from the mtx.
 
I asked him about antibiotic treatment, and he said without equivocation that he does not believe it works.  He also has a laminated poster in the exam room that says "I do not prescribe medical marijuana," which made me laugh.  Pot was just legalized for medical use in my state last month, and obviously there's a lot of interest in it, from the RA patient point of view.
 
Now that I know how to deal with his brusque ways ("Wait a minute, I have another question!"), I am not intimidated by him.  I was in shock at the last appt where he told me I have RA, and let him escape without answering any questions, or even managing to formulate any!
 
I'm not interested in being abused over his comment on antibiotics.  I am passing on what he said for purposes of education, so other people can get a sense of what's going on in the medical world.
 
So that's my treatment plan to begin with.  Pandora, how about you?  How did your appointment go?
Good morning - glad that your treatment has begun.  It's important to get on something early.   Mtx can take 2-3 months for some before it kicks in, so be patient.  What dose did he start you on?   I take 1 mg folic acid/day.   Is the 2nd opinion to confirm RA or to consider a doc that's not quite as brusque?  
 
Cathy
Finding the right Doc is important for me also.
 
My neurologist is a brutt and my Rheumy is a Doll. My family Doc is just short and round...lol
 
I hope your treatment works. Good luck. ( when I took methatrexate 1 mg Folic Acid/1 daily just like cathy) However I had a prescription for it.
 
Best Wishes,
Lisa
how many 2.5 mg of MTX are you starting on... and I would ask the RD for the script for folic..you get it in a purer form...... Bluehour,
 
When I was on methotrexate, my RD told me to take 1 mg (same as 1,000 mcg), or as close to that in an OTC pill.  I took an 800 mcg OTC folic acid pill along with the 400 mcg I was already getting in my multivitamin.  That put me just a little over the 1 mg, but he said it was o.k.  It was much cheaper for me to go the OTC route versus my copay for the prescription one.
 
My RD said there wouldn't be any difference between the OTC and prescription, but I have read from a few posters that they felt the prescription worked better at relieving the MTX side effects.
 
I'm glad you got your diagnosis and are starting your treatment.  I hope it works for you.
 
Morning Blue, sounds like you're moving in the right direction.  How much MXT are you taking?  1,000 mg. of Folic Acid should be sufficient and you can take OTC Folic and be covered.  It's always good to have a second opinion and I'm glad you're seeking one, especially if you're not 150% satisfied with your current RD.  Lindy
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