methotrexate

I was recently diagnosed with RA and the doctor has me on 3 tablets of Methotrexate once a week. I'm in week 7, almost 8 and I had started to feel much better after 6 weeks. However, in the past week and a half I have been going backwards. I see the Dr. next week and will ask if I can up my dosage, as I really do think it was helping and I'm not having many side effects, so far, with it.

I was just wondering if any others had the same results as I am having. I did have to go on 5 mg prednisone 3 x's a day for congestion from a cold (yes, I think it was actually a cold, not side effect from medicine) two weeks ago, for only five days, and felt great. Could it be related to that, being on the prednisone and them stopping? I don't want to take prednisone now as I was on it many years ago as a 19 year old for almost two years and hated the side effects then, even though it did help with the arthritis pain now. I consider it my drug of last resort.

Thanks for the insight.

NJ

By nanomary
Posted July 17, 2009 at 11:36 am
Report post

NJ, At one time I was on 7 methotrexate tabs a week and felt better than I had in years. Then I had to go off it because I was diagnosed with cancer and I couldn't take metho along with the chemo. I was really miserable when all the chemo was done and I wasn't back on any meds for RA.
The prednisone probably made youe feel better because it reduced the inflammation. Now that you are off it your body is readjusting again. I know how you feel. It is very frustrating to feel good and the go backwards. Hang in there. Ask your doc about changing the metho dosage. Metho is a safer med than prednisone and works just as well when you reach the right dosage for you.
I now take Enbrel 2 x a week and 3 methotrexate. I also see my doc next week and am going to ask to increase the metho as I am not getting the results that I would like to have.
Good luck and God Bless.

By NJ-Shutterbug
Posted July 17, 2009 at 11:47 am
Report post

Nanomary,

Thanks, it helps to think there's a reason I feel so much worse. I think I let my hopes get too high when something starts to work as I still have not fully realized that I am not going to be able to do the things I used to do. I love gardening and hiking and camping. The hiking I was able to do until two years ago and the gardening I had to quit doing this year. At least I can still water, and I have a good friend who loves gardening and she came over one day, at the beginning of the growing season and gave my beds a good weeding. My yard is a mess now, weeding needs to be done everywhere, and, I still can't do it, so I'm thinking of paying her to come over to weed again for me.

I'm sorry to hear about your cancer. I do hope it's in remission and that you'll be able to increase your metho. I know I'm anxious to get back to the Doctors next week.

NJ

By nanomary
Posted July 17, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Report post

Cancer free for 5 years now. My flower beds look really bad too. I had worked so hard to get them looking good. The last time I weeded was June 22 of last year. I then got sick with septic arthriis in my hip and haven't been able to do it since. My husband tries but there just isn't enough time to take cae of everything. I have severe hip damage now and am waiting on a custom made replacement. Hopefully by next year I'll be able to do more. Don't give up on ever being abe to do some of the things you love. Once you get the right meds, in the right amounts for you, you will be amazed at what you can do. Also you learn new ways of doing a lot of things. Maybe you can't do the beds but what about container gardening. I know it's not quite the same but I have some containers that I am realy proud of this year. I even have gourds planted in a container. They are growing really well. Just remember "DON'T GIVE UP"

By NJ-Shutterbug
Posted July 18, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Report post

Glad to hear you're cancer free. I've had a few friends lately with cancer and it's a terrible disease.

I do container gardening, that's what I get to water, but, right now, we're in our heat zone and I'm afraid my containers are bolting, and I'm thinking of changing them out for new flowers. At least I will if I start feeling better, right now, it's just a no go. However, I do try and look at the bright side and remember that it doesn't last forever. That's one of my problems, when I am feeling good I do too much. But, I feel great about what I've accomplished, even if I can't walk when I'm done. I think the accomplishment overcomes the pain for me.

Hang in there, and tomorrow is my metho day. Friday is my Doctor day.

NJ

By mylifemkj
Posted August 21, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Report post

I have to agree with veaton, it prob was the Pred. But, ask your DR at your next visit. I started on 2 pills of Mtx, then up to 4 a few months later and finally 6 within the first year.
I had a 2nd opinion, he said I was undermedicated, put me on 1.0 Injectable Mtx and Enbrel shots 2 times a week.
Everyone is different, talk to your DR and give it time. If you don't see improvement, get a 2nd opinion. Seriously. I liked my first DR, but undermedicating is bad and was causing joint damage. I also have Reactive Arthritis which attacks your tendons, not RA. But it is treated the same.

Welcome to Inspire!

Explore topics in this discussion:

6 replies

Add to the discussion

Events and resources

Group leaders

You