New with Questions | Arthritis Information

I have been diagnosed with RA serumnegative. I have very infrequent flare-ups. I am on plaquinel and it helps. I can't take anti-inflammatories due to kidney disease. I was given Lyrica but it made me so sleepy, I couldn't function. The rheumatologist gave me MTX the other day and said it has no side-affects. I am NOT in pain most of the time. I work and live alone. Since she gave me the pills, I have been reading horrible things about them. I haven't touched them. Could you please give me your experience on this drug?? I'm already on blood thinners which make me sick most of the time.

I am not nearly ready for this drug in my opinion. And I want facts to take to the doctor. She gives me pills and then I have horrible side-affects.

You're doctor may be giving you MXT because your labs are showing RA is still active and she wants you to achieve clinical remission. If that's the case then she's correct. All studies are showing that RA should be treated early and clinical remission should be the goal. As long as you have active disease then damage is being done to your joints.

Why were you given Lyrica? MXT isn't a horrible drug, in fact it's helped far more people than it's hurt. I've been on MXT for about 5 years and to date I've not had a problem. Other people will write that it's been terrible for them. Like RA it's an individual thing. MXT is many times the first line drug. If you have RA then you're ready for it. Combination therapy has shown to be more effective than mono therapy and your doctor is following the newest guidelines to help you. Talk further with your doctor about MXT before you decide not to take it. I hope that you feel better soon. Having RA with other illnesses can be a real challenge. Lindy

mTX made all the difference in the world for me and I had very little problems on it. Eventually after about 6 or maybe even 7 years I had some liver test that came back high and we took me off of it after about 6 months of testing. THose are rare and your doctor will test you on a regular basis to make sure you aren't in danger. I'd say give it a try.....not everything you read is going to happen to you and you may find it's the best treatment option for you.

I take Lyrica for some nerve damage in my legs from an old surgery and for some neruopathy. It's a great medication....but I have to take it at night only because like you it makes me very sleepy. I take 150mg at night only you might try that; but if he's giving it to you for RA pain there's a lot of stuff out there that would be better for you. I wouldn't use Lyrica for RAS only. Does he suspect fibro? Some doctors prescribe it for that and I do hear it helps those folks.

Seriously consider the MTX. Ddon't let a few horror stories scare you. Hopefully a few other's will come alone here and sign it's praises and help you see it's a life saver for folks that have RA.

Hello Lynn

Just piping in to say.. I agree w/ the posts above... and that if your RD is prescribing the MTX.. he wants to prevent the destruction of your joints... he feels that is an issue at this point... and he's probably right.. so if you wish to not have gnarly hands or bone on bone destruction in your larger weight bearing joints. then do what your DR says...

I see that a lot of people have stomach problems on it or I was told that the day you take it, your day is shot. They feel drained and can't do anything. I can't do that. I am very sensitive to any drug. Especially with my kidneys. Drugs that go out of most peoples systems stay in mine. Does it cause any weight gain or swelling? And I read it can increase the risk for cancer. She is giving it to me because I can't take anything else with success. I read that it is a LAST line drug. That it is very dangerous.I just started the drug, I took 4 pills first, then I will work up to 6. So far so good. No side effects, but I am in a lot of pain because I have just been DX and I have taken plaq, now adding the methotrexate. I am praying to get relief from it all real soon. I would swallow a bug if I thought it would help...(kidding)

Tink

Actually, I would swallow that bug, Tink, no kidding! Sorry, don't mean to make lite of your situation, Lynn. I was on mtx for 10-11 yrs and had to go off in Jan. because of rashes. I really miss the relief it gave me. No drug or supplement is benign... that said, you must get your RA under control and the sooner the better for you.

It is now said in early onset RA, the more aggressively you treat the disease, the better your outcome! Taking your mtx at night will help with some of the side effects and taking folic acid to help also.

You have to read, read, read, research and discuss with your doctor what is right for you.

Best to you and welcome to our support group!
No weight gain here with MTX....but Lyrica sure does pack on the pounds! I've gained about 25 pounds since starting it about 4 years ago. Other factors could also be at work there....but it's not MTX.

I will admit that for the first couple of years I did have to mark the day after off my calendar because it cerainly drained me and I really felt rather sick the day after; but that got much better over time.

If you read the possible side effects of any drug you can terrified.

I have been on MTX for three years now as research shows that a little MTX with the other anti rheumatics makes everything work better.

I have only had one side effect and that is some hair loss. I have never had the fatigue, the nausea or anything else.

The only way you are going to find out is to take it for a while and see. If it gives you terrible extra problems, your RD will take you of it. But you might be just fine on it like me and have very little reaction at all.

Sometimes you just have to take risks and give something a go to see what happens.

I remember at dx being where you are...looking at all these scary drugs and their scary side effects.

Looking back, I want to laugh as in the past four years I have tried everything except Orencia.

Your RD is doing the right thing by you in trying to treat your RA hard and early. If what they are trying to do works, trust me, it will be a lot better than if it doesn't.
Hi Lynne, it's not a last line drug, not sure about the information that you read, but usually MXT is tried first line or added to Plaq. if it's not working. There is no weight gain or swelling with MXT. It can give you fatigue the day after you take it. Take MXT in the evening after supper and if you have any side effects you'll sleep through them. Most of the side effects you read about are WORST case scenario side effects and few people have those. I hope that your RD said for you to take Folic Acid at least 1000mg daily. That helps with any side effects and also helps protect you blood cellls. Please talk with your RD after you have the information in order. Lindy

Hi Lynn..welcome!

I've been taking mtx for 17 years now (25mgs) and have had no problems. Mtx has worked very well for me.

Good luck!