On Monday & Tuesday, I felt terrible. On Wednesday, I took my weekly dose of MTX and started to feel better in my joints right away. Does MTX really wear off partway through the week? What can you do about that - do you ever take it in 2 doses? And can it really take effect that quickly - or is something else going on?
My experience has been that no..it doesn't wear off partway through the week. Last year I had to go off the mtx for a couple of weeks because of a low white blood cell count. I didn't have any increased pain during that time. I remember when I talked with my doctor about getting pregnant (this was a few years back) she said that I would have to be off the mtx for a while before trying to get pregnant to make sure it was completely gone. So with that info, I would think that it stays for a while even though you have stopped taking it. I believe she said to be off of it for about 3 months before trying. So it must take a while to be totally gone from your body.
The dose might not be strong enough. By the end of the week from my taking it, I start getting really tired. Then, I get my dose. I seem to get really exhausted the next day and then back to "normal" after that.
So, I take it on Saturday evening. I am very exhausted. Sunday, I have to take extreme rest. Monday through Thursday I okay. By Friday night, I'm starting to run down.
But they just reduced mine because of liver. I wish they'd go back up.
I'm exactly like Deanna. It's been my experience that if I up my dose by one pill I'll make it the full week. When my dose is too low it seems to "wear" off part way through the week. I also take mine on Saturday night and by Friday's I'm usually dragging a bit until I re-up both my RA meds.
What Kelly said is true too though at the same time. For the full effects to wear off it take much longer. The longest I've been off was a month and by week three I wasn't doing so well and by week 4 I was in hell; but I was also off my Humira at that time.
SO; I guess we're all different.
I'm like the others. I take mine on Saturday and by Thursday, I'm dragging. When I go to my RA doc the end of the month, I'm going to tell him about it. He may want to upped the dose.Yes, for some it can start right away depending on your body but the full effects usually take about 4 weeks.
I find that it does wear off during the week partly, usually thursday i feel the difference. I actually feel better lol.
I find that i have some sort of allergy or something to high doses of mtx so i get very stiff and hurt the day i take it (monday) through wednesday and then it starts to feel better through the weekend and i start all over on Monday.
Thanks everyone. I like to check your experiences before I talk to the doctor. You all have lived it, and she hasn't. I guess it probably is time to up the dose, because the month is over. Do I just keep upping the dose every month until I hit 25 mg. or my liver wears out? Have any of you maintained for a long time at a smaller dose?I've been on the max dose of mtx for several years now. I always am severely fatigued for about 24 hours after taking it. The fatigue sets in about 6 hours after taking it, and lasts through the next day. I also have mild nausea during that time. Then it seems to fade away. I never have much energy...and on my "good days" I tend to over-do....and I pay for it later.
I'm starting Enbrel in the next week or so. I've got high hopes for it.
Claire, what is the max. dose of MTX?
Trisha
a have had the same experience. Once the MTX reached a theraputic level I made it through the week without a problem. Sounds like your dosage needs to be increased.
I was taking 15mg and recently moved up to 20 once she felt I was tolerating it well. I had the feeling you described about feeling like I was losing my coverage while on the 15, but haven't had that feeling since the increase.