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Date: 20.11.2011
From: Nat

Subject: methotrexate question

hi everyone, really sorry if this has been asked before! I've recently been given methotrexate to take. I'm already taking sulfasalazine-have been for about 2-3 months, i've seen slight improvement but still my arthritis is progressing to new joints, grr! Anyway, I guess what I want to know is, how much does methotrexate affect fertility? I'm 24 and don't want children just yet, but definitely do in a few years. Any information i've read just says it can affect fertility. It would be great to hear of real people's experiences with this. I know this sort of thing is a bit personal but any info would be really appreciated. Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance! :) x
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Date: 21.11.2011
From: kirst

Subject: Re: methotrexate question

Hi, dont worry about repeating past questions asked on here :)

I was on MTX for a year and a half,ive been off it now for 6 months ish, and since stopping ive come to notice just how much it had been helping. it is a good drug and certainly is very effective for a lot of people. Some people have side effects some never have side effects. It is something very personal in the sence that everyone is affected differently so please dont let the experience im about to tell you put you off because it is rare!

When i was on it i noticed that my periods became irregular to the point i was having a period anything from 40-60 days and they were very light. My nurse and I decided to stop it because i wasnt happy with the effect it was having on my menstration (wouldnt have minded if it was the pill causing it).
Anyway since stopping it ive had 2 periods so im hoping that they are starting to sort themselfs out. The docs have checked my hormones and everything is fine so it hasnt damaged my ovaries.

I am 25 but already have 2 children however want another as my husband and i want children when we are younger. so we have been uncareful once in the last month just to see what happens. I will let you know if it happens when i finally check.

The only thing with MTX, and i suppose from having to take any meds for arthritis is that a pregnancy will need to be discussed and planned with your GP or rummy before you even try. MTX they recon to make sure its stopped 3-6 months before you plan to concive to ensure its out of your system. Sulphasaline is one of the few which is safe during pregnancy so depending on your condition they may keep you on that while you are trying to prevent a flare up.

Sorry for the long reply and please dont let my story put you off MTX because when the time comes when you do decide to have children you will want to be as well as possible and MTX might just be the thing which will do that for you.

if you want to know anything else or have questions just ask!
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Date: 21.11.2011
From: Nat

Subject: Re: methotrexate question

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer :) I definitely need to get this under control, I don't wanna be disabled at a young age! It's just a daunting prospect at the mo, i've got blood checks on Thursday so i'll see if i can get anymore advice then. Good luck with trying for a new addition :) thanks again x
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Date: 22.11.2011
From: Mike

Subject: Re: methotrexate question

Hi Nat, I've had RA for about 4 years they wanted me to go on to Methotrexate about 16 months ago but we wanted to have another child so they had to delay me going on it. At the time I was on 6 Sulfasalazine tablets a day and I had to stop taking this as it lowers fertility it took a faily long time for my wife to get pregnant so the sulfasalazine alone makes a difference because we had no problem getting pregnant the first time. This may only be an issue for men though. But I was told we had to be very careful not to get pregnant once I started taking the Methotrexate as it can cause lots of complications and is not safe. Make sure you talk all this through with your RA consultant I find it a bit strange they didn't mention any of this when they discussed you going on it. It may be only an issue for men but definatly worth looking in to. I hope this helps.
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Date: 22.11.2011
From: Nat

Subject: Re: methotrexate question

Hi Mike, thanks for that, that's interesting to know. When i was put on the sulfa my rheumy said that the reason she chose that particular drug was because of my age and future intention of having children. I was under the impression that it lowered sperm count in men temporarily but had nothing mentioned to me about female fertility..Think i may investigate this further now though! In terms of the mtx i didn't see my regular doc- saw someone i've not spoken to before, so i feel a bit like i didn't get all the information i was looking for..probably should have spoken up more but it's always really busy in the rheumatology department and everything is a bit rushed. I'll have to be more assertive next time! Anyway, sorry about the rambling! Thanks again for the info x
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