to be affective? that is what the nurse at my rheumy's office told me today! i thought it was more like 3 months! And because i am "in a flare" she increased my prednisone. All i can think about is, i have to be on this prednisone for 6 months! getting fat,hump neck,round face,crabby,manic to get this pain and fatiuge under control? Isnt there a faster med out there that will work? or atleast start to work. And why would it take 6 months for a medication to work? does it have to build up in your system?
kel
MTX has to build up in your system. Generally it takes about 12 weeks to become therapuetic IF, and that is a big if, you are at your correct dosage. If the MTX is going to work most people generally see a gradual improvement of symptoms starting at about 6-8 weeks. If by 8 weeks you see no response I would suggest you talk to the dr about increasing the doseI am starting the metotrexate tomorrow. I had been told to expect a couple of months for it to work and I was already depressed about that. I too am in a full fledged flare (even with the predinisone) and cannot see how I could be left in this condition for 6 months...
Please NO!
Regards
Please anyone...do not leave yourself like that for 6 months. The downside to these dmards and biologics is that they do have to build up in your system. It can take up to 3 months for that happen. Please don't wait 6 months. I have seen people notice a change in 2-4 weeks of taking MTX. If you don't notice a change within 6 weeks or so your dosage may need to be changed to a higher dosage.
Melly keep us posted on how you are doing with the mtx!
After 2 weeks at 7.5 mg. I felt about 75% better. We upped my dosage to 10 mg. and I would say 5 months on MTX I am, for the most part, 95-100% better all the time.
On the downside, I had to be off the medication for a week and I did feel the effects pretty quickly...partly because I got my period at the same time.
I started at 7.5 mg., was on that for a month or so, no relief. Went to 15 mg, still no relief after an additional month or so....boosted it up to 20 mg, and the first week I could feel a difference. Still in a flare, still feel like crap but I think going up to 20 mg will make a difference.
I hope you find your correct dosage soon.
Took me less than three weeks and had a miraculous change in morning stiffness and pain! I was at .04. TOok four weeks to see a difference when I upped the dose a year later.When first diagnosed, I was put straight on to both Prednisone and MTX - also cortisone injections in both shoulders,which was the worst spot at that time, and had almost immediate all over relief.Thanks guys. i will certanly talk to the doc about it. she wants to see me 8 weeks after starting mtx. so i am sure she knows whats shes doing. i just took my 6th shot today. she just increased my prednisone as well so one way or another i hope to be feeling better soon. everyday after my mtx. shot i wake hoping this shot will be the one that help me feel better. It has not helped as of yet.
kel
I started MTX a year ago at the beginning of March. While that first horrible flare didn't come back, my feet and hands were a constant source of pain. In August, added Arava - and then it was like a miracle. So hang in there, don't give up. So it took 5 months plus the addition of Arava to get the results. From what I gather, MTX may not end up working for you - but do give it a chance. With the least side effects and the least cost, it can work wonders.