MTX | Arthritis Information

My RD wants me to add another drug to the Plaquenil as it isn't working sufficiently. He gave me handouts on MTX, Arava, and Enbrel. My insurance company requires I try MTX first since it is the cheapest.

I'm worried about the side effects. Specifically the hair loss. Has anyone taken MTX and NOT had hair loss? Has anyone taken it without any side effects at all?

I lost a little extra hair (and still do) but you can't really tell and the benefits I get from mtx are well worth a few hairs. Just make sure you also take Folic Acid. I take 5mg a day except the day I take mtx. MTX depleats folic acid in your body and that's what causes your hair to fall out and other side effects. Gimpy-a-gogo39099.4146527778
Last May I relented and began taking 20mg. of mtx weekly and 1mg. of folic acid daily. At the time I was in the process of weaning off prednisone. As of the first week of December 2006 I no longer taking prednisone.

That's when I became aware of just what the mtx was doing to me. MTX was my "miracle drug" because in less than two weeks my pain was gone and continued to be gone even as I reduced my prednisone dose each week (doctor supervised). However, less than two weeks after I was off the prednisone the itching, which had gradually been getting worse as I reduced the prednisone, became totally intolerable. Also, less than two weeks after I was off the prednisone my elbow, fingers, and toe joints definitely were discolored. They looked as though they were black and blue. In addition, I didn't have pain joint but my muscles hurt whenever I moved them. And we won't talk about my tummy, except to say I was miserable.

Did contact my rheumy and she advised me to discontinue the mtx. She also wanted me to begin taking prednisone again, starting with 2mg. a day and increasing 1mg. every third to fourth day until the ouchies were gone. Absolutely no way did I find this acceptable. So until I go in for my appt. the middle of February I'm taking tramadol every four hours and feeling little to no pain. What's really ironic is that my monthly lab reports were like perfect. My rheumy feels the prednisone was masking the negative side effects of the mtx.

About hair loss. All my life I felt as though I was mildly cursed for my hair was sooooooooo thick. Thought perhaps it was just my imagination that my hair wasn't as thick but my hairdresser verified the fact that my hair is indeed thinner. It's actually manageable! Also, the hair on my legs nearly quit growing and the hair under my arm pits quit growing completely. Have been off the mtx for about a month now and the hair on my legs is growing and the hair under my armpits is coming back in.

At this time I take tramadol every four hours, synthroid, 3000mg. of fish oil daily, a multi-vitamin, and a calcium supplement.

watchingwolf39099.4277314815

Hi Kweenb,

I've been on mtx for about 15 years....right now I'm taking 25mgs. I've been very lucky and have not had any bad side effects. The only thing I can think of is a couple of times (in the last year and a half) I've had to go off of the mtx for a few weeks because my white blood cell count was very low. Then once it went back up, I was right back on the mtx. So...no problems here.

Good Luck!

Kelly

Ive been on MTX for 6 months with no hair loss at all! Go for it, a bit of hair isnt the end of the world. If anyone is going to do funny hair stuff it would be me as I had severe Alopecia with my first pregnancy and almost went bald!!! Small bits hidden with the next too pregnancies. But all good with the MTX.

Good luck

Wendy

Thanks everyone.

I just started MTX 2 1/2 weeks ago after being on Sulfasalazine for a year and a half. I am misserable. Also taking 10 mg of prednisone and 1mg of folic acid a day. I am in a full body flare and not getting any relief and my RA Dr knows this. I am just waiting for her to tell me what she wants me to do next. I can't sleep at night for the pain in my shoulders, hip and back. My hands and feet are so swollen and knobby. My daughter even named the nodule on my elbow as its getting bigger and does not look to be going anywhere any time soon. Wilbert is its name.

I have heard good things about MTX but I have yet to see or feel it yet.

I did lose any hair that I noticed. i have very thin fine hair to begin with and actually it looks better now than it has in years.

I've been on it about 4 years or so now. I like it. I steadily increased it until I eventually had to add Humira. I don't think the Humira alone would have been good enough though. I've always thought the MTX did the majority of the heavy lifting. Now I've had to stop the HUmira for other reasons......but I'm still taking the MTX although it's not working as well now.

My hair does seem to be everywhere! BUT that's been the case for a long time. I've colored my hair since high school cosmotology; so I honestly think that's got a lot more to do with it then the MTX. Y can't tell it's any thinner than ever before. I am blessed with really think hair though.

The first year I took it I did notice I was really tired for a day or two after.....but now I can't really tell. When ever I've adjusted my dose I can tell though.

It's well worth it in my opinion. It's certainly not for everyone; but I do think it's worth a try for everyone.

Good Luck!