I have been having a problem with my stomach and diarrhea for quite
some time. I did see a doctor and had a gastroscopy with no
pathology so the doc put me on Prilosec and that worked well for a
while. Then the nausea, heart burn, tummy ache and diarrhea
returned. I went to the doc again and he ordered Zantac which is
helping a lot. To back up a bit, I stopped taking MTX about 3
weeks ago because I was already miserable and I knew that the MTX
would make me more miserable. And now I am feeling absolutely
wonderful. No fatigue!!!!! My question to this smart panel
is, what will happen if I do not take the MTX . I could call my
rheumy, but you guys have experienced this and I am sure will give me
excellent guidance.
What a wonderful feeling not to be sooooooooo tired!
Thanks & Luv
N&T
Dear N&T, I went off MTX after being on it for 2 years with horrible side effects like fatigue, aching muscles and joints, dizzyness. I feel great right now. The doctor said she can't let me stay off indefinitely, that she may try avara instead. All I can say is emotionally I feel so much better.
I don't know what meds you are on besides MTX but if it was your only dmard - the beast will continue to progress.
I just hate MTX too. Makes me feel rotten for 3-4 days after each weekly dose. Arava works better for me, and I don't get sick on it at all. Arava just became a generic in the last year so hopefully your insurance will do a good job of paying for you.
I've been on MTX for about 4 years now. I added Humira close to two years ago now. It's good combination for me.....but beside fatigue I never had any of the horrible side effects from MTX that so many suffer with.
I've had to go off my meds due to infection on a couple of occations and it took close to 4 weeks to really hit me that I'm now a slave to these meds. Without them I slowly but surely turn into a statue. Even a slight decrease in my MTX makes a big difference in the way I feel.
I recently tried lowering my dose; which I know I should do but it didn't go over very well so I went back up to my 25mg dose. Feeling much better....although I still have problems I don't entirely expect to pass.
I wish you good luck. With all those stomach issues MTX certainly isn't the med for you. I sure hope you will be the one of the ones reporting to the group next month that you are off of it and feel 100% better than you did while on it.
Best of luck!
I had to quit the arava and MTX 4 weeks ago and feel soooo much better. I know this probably won't continue, but I'll take it for now. Ask your rheumy maybe your body needs a break, too. Hugs and good vibes.I felt so much better when I quit mtx. My ra is not under control but I feel better than I did on mtx. but I feel so much better!! No fatigue, not depressed and I actually feel like my old self. I am taking extra strength Tylenol 3 times a day. Other meds are: Prednisone 5mg daily,