When is enough enough? | Arthritis Information

Well I've been on MTX now for over 6 months and it doesn't feel like its done a thing for me. I've talked to my doctor and he just smiles and says "your looking better", but I don't feel any different, still hurt all the time and swelling. So when is enough enough and I stop the MTX? On 15 mg's now, but doctor seems to think that is A-OK.

Is your doctor Billy Crystal with an accent?

I think what your doc really needs is a good whap upside the head. (Figuratively speaking of course.

I got stuck on MTX im for two years because I let my doc have free reign. I finally balked at upping the dosage to 25mg and I refused to take anymore. He had a temper tantrum like a toddler but I stood my ground. He warned me about rebound flares and said, "Ooo, your going to have a bad flare now!" and you know what happened? Nothing. No rebound flare. The MTX had never worked, I had wasted all that time. This was years ago and it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Don't give up. One of these days we are going to get a post from you that finally something is working.

Deanna39048.3946875

I am in my 3rd month using 20 mg MTX with very little change and doc is going to add enbrel or remicade in January if no further change happens.

I also think 6 months is enough time to realize that MTX alone is not cutting it.

How we look has nothing to do with how things really are, though some days I do look like how I feel, lol.

I agree with the others. It sounds like it's time to get more agressive. My doc moved me from 15mg of MTX to 20 mg after only 3 months (and I started at 15mg). I also can move myself up to 25mg if I don't improve in 6 weeks. I see the doc again in 3 months to re-assess.

Are you on an anti-inflammatory too? I'm also on naprosyn and will likely be until we get the inflammation under control.

Lynk makes an important suggestion about finding out the "why" of your current treatment regimine. At my last appt. I asked the doc a bunch of questions, including what is the treatment plan ... eg. always expect to be on injections, always have to take an anti-inflammatory, timelines, etc. Knowing really has helped.

Hope you find relief soon.

- J.

Joy39048.7754050926

Not on any anti-inflammatories, I just take about 800-1600mg of ibuphroen (sp) a day to help with the pain. Unfortunately the doctor that I see is the only one my insurance company covers. I've been trying to work with them to get to another one, but as of now from the looks of things the company i work for just might be going under, then I'm really screwed. Still on Predisone, but he won't up my dosage on that, still at 10mg, which does nothing.

Phil