Date: 03.07.2011
From: Kay
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Subject: New to Methotrexate
Hello, I am new to the Forum and have already found the discussions very helpful, so thank you all for that. My partner Keith who is 53 has recently been diagnosed with RA. He also has Type 2 Diabetes and heart problems (triple by-pass 4 years ago) for which he is already taking a large cocktail of maintenance drugs. As the RA is now proving frequently very painful and immobilising, it has been suggested by his Rheumatologist and GP that he should start on a low dose of Methotrexate. The possible side effects against any possible improvement are causing us concerns and confusion so we are currently looking for views of other sufferers who have used Methotrexate so we can form a better picture in order for Keith to make a final decision on whether to go ahead. Any comments would be most welcome. Many thanks.
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Date: 03.07.2011
From: Kay
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
ps. Have just read through recent responses to Lynn R's topic re mxt which have been very helpful :-)
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Date: 03.07.2011
From: Lynn B
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Hi kay, just to say I have been taking mtx for 16 months now, i was on tablets but am now on injections which I do myself, but as everyone says dont forget to take folic acid every day (except on mtx day). I agree with most guys on here you do have to give it a fair chance. I have had a heart attack and had 2 stents fitted, and also have unstable angina which i take quite a cocktail of meds for as well. As long as your husband has his regular blood tests he will be monitord while he is on the mtx. I wish you well with watever he decides. take care. x
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Date: 04.07.2011
From: Kay
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Many thanks for taking the time to respond Lynn, especially as you have a similar medical profile as Keith, it's both very interesting and helpful. Hope you are keeping well on your own regime. K x
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Date: 06.07.2011
From: Poppy
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Hi Kay,
I've been taking methotrexate for about 9 years and am now on the highest dose that I'm allowed (20mg) by injection. (The Rheumy wanted to attack the disease hard straight off as I was diagnosed quite young at the age of 15) I've not noticed any side effects from it. However, I don't take any meds for anything else so I guess that probably has a bearing on the likelihood of any adverse effects occuring. I take the veiw that it's better to give something a shot. And as Lynn B said, as long as he has his blood tests regularly, anything nasty should be picked up. A quick point about the folic acid: he may not have to take it every day. I take 2 x 5mg tablets once a week 2 days before the mxt injection.
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Date: 06.07.2011
From: Shiffy
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Hi Poppy, I read your comment about methotrexate and was quite impressed your on it for nearly 9 years. I just wanted to ask do you have any tips while on it, has it helped control the disease effectively? Please let me know I have delayed taking this drug for a long time due to potential side effects and I got a lot of joint damage now.
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Date: 06.07.2011
From: Poppy
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
From 15 to about 22/23, I was on a bit of a cocktail of meds including Methoxtrexate, Sulfasalazine, Hydroxichloroquine, and various anti-inflammatories and they held it at bay for a good few years with the odd flare ups but the RA was still too active and I had a bit of joint damage, so I tried some anti-TNFs which I'd opposed for a couple of years. But the only one that worked gave me side effects unfortunately. The RA suddenly became very active over xmas and am now on Rituximab which destroys the B-cells in the blood which cause a lot of the inflammation. I still take methotrexate with the Rituximab. Don't be discouraged by my big flare up though as some of that I'm sure was caused by stress at work! MXT is usually one of the first lines of defence against RA and if that doesn't work, there are still a couple of higher levels of medication to try, however, you do have to meet certain criteria for the anti-TNFs and Rituximab as they are extremely expensive meds (such a shame it has to come down to money!) All medications can have a range of horrid side effects, and often the more aggressive the treatment, the worse they can be. However, side effects are generally reversable. Joint damage is not.
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Date: 06.07.2011
From: Poppy
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
P.S. When I say the RA was too active, it wasn't extremely bad. The Rhuemy decided that it was "too active for my age." Being only 24 at the moment, if the damage continues at the same rate, I would potentially be rather dissabled by the time I was 50 (which is when most people would be just starting to develop the disease).
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Date: 06.07.2011
From: shiffy
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Thanks for all that info poppy.. I suppose taking a drug is neccessary to fight this disease
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Date: 07.07.2011
From: Kay
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Very interesting and helpful exchanges between Poppy and Shiffy. Many thanks for your input - very much appreciated. Keith and I are still gathering information before he sees his GP again next week.
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Date: 09.07.2011
From: Poppy
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Subject: Re: New to Methotrexate
Also, when he sees his Rhuematologist, it might be handy to take a little note pad and jot things down. Mine has a tendancy to talk at me at the speed of light about loads of different things and I end up forgetting what she said when I get home! Wish him luck from me :)
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