I just found this website so thought I would ask a quick question. I am 51 years old and have had arthritis for 11 years. Mine is Scleratic Arthritis (spelling). I am currently on Sulfasalazine but doesn't work anymore. I am still pretty active but my left hand and wrist is so swollen that I can't really do the things I used to and it is getting harder to work on the computer. My rheumatologist has been trying to get me to go on Methotextrate for years but the side effects scare me. Also, at 51 year, I don't want to lose my hair (the vanity thing) but my wife said to go ahead and no big deal. I was curious if anyone has been on this medicine for arthritis and what side effects you experienced. Thanks, bbgskier
I take methotrexate along with Humira injections. I have had a good expreience with it. Your RD should start you on a low dose to see how that works for you and move you up from there if the low dose does not help your flaring. I have taken a high dose in the past (15mg) and it did not cause my hair to fall out (I have very long hair). It did cause severe nausea and after 2 weeks on the higher dose I called my doc and he lowered it for me immediately. From what I have researched about the drug and what my RD has told me, most likely your hair will not fall out at any dose. Tell your doc about your concerns. You also should receive an info booklet from your doc about methotrexate (also called trexall) that has good information in it. I agree with your wife. Give it a chance. I think people are just scared of the drug because it is used in much higher doses for cancer (specifically breast cancer). The dosage we are given for arthritis comes nowhere near the dosage for the cancer treatment.
Good luck to you!
Hi,
I took Methotrexate about 5 or 6 years ago. I had side effects from it and couldn't stay on it. I would get sick all the time, like get colds and miss work frequently due to it. I would get sick to my stomach and just felt bad most of the time I was on it. In my opinion, Methotrexate is so much older than some of the newer meds now. I didn't think it was used that much anymore. It's such a powerful drug and has the potentional for several side effects. But, this is only my experience with it. It looks like it works well for Liz, and that's wonderful. It just depends on the individual and how your body will react to it. It's sort of like chemotherapy in a pill form. You have to get regular bloodwork done while you are on it to make sure your liver enzymes are normal etc... So, I hope you get more information from other people who have tried it. I would be nervous to start it again myself if I had to. I've been on Enbrel and that works extremely well for me. I take some prescription non-steroidal anti inflammatories with it and that works well for me. So good luck to you!
I took Methotrexate for 12 years and suffered no side effects at all, the PA was quite bad at times. I do not have any visible signs of Psoriasis. So long as you have regular blood tests I would give the Methotrexate a try.
Copyright ArthritisInsight.com