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Date: 18.11.2012
From: Tony Riggers

Subject: RA and Mehotrexate

I wonder if some of you could help from your experience? I was diagnosed with RA at the beginning of September 2012, and after some x-rays started on 6 2.5mg tablets per week on 16 September. This was increased on 4 November to 8 tablets (20mg), but to date I have not noticed any improvement at all. My main problems are my fingers, shoulders and knees, which swell and stiffen at night and when resting, and take a great deal of 'getting going' in the morning. My question is is this time delay normal for Methotrexate to start working? My doc said it would take time but I'm worried it's not going to work for me. Any advice very greatfully received. Thanks.
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Date: 18.11.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

Hi Tony, if I recall correctly, it can take up to 3 -6 months to work. You just can't tell before then. You could ask your hospital for a steroid jab to help in the meantime.
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Date: 18.11.2012
From: Colin

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

hi Tony ,

agree with bsk , a steriod booster will help you until the MTX kicks in , hope it does not take to much longer , normaly within three months , they can also add other drugs
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Date: 18.11.2012
From: Tony

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

Thanks for your comments guys
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Date: 19.11.2012
From: Tracey S

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

Hi...It took 5 months before I noticed a difference.
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Date: 21.11.2012
From: Tony

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

I thought I'd update this thread after seeing my consultant yesterday. He gave me a very careful examination and a long chat, and didn't seem unduly concerned about MTX not yet 'kicking in'. He added a new drug to my theropy called 'Hydroxychloroquine' which I have to take every day along with the MTX (once a week).
As I mentioned on Gillian's thread on here, he also seemed rather put out by the fact that I'd not been taking the Naproxen which he prescribed, as I didn't feel it was doing any good. Anyway he wants me to take at least one 250mg tablet per day.
Also some of you good people may be interested in this. After a careful examination of my finger joints he said that the RA didn't appear to be causing any joint damage and that this was due to the type of RA I have (it's the type that doesn't show up in blood tests). So he said his main concern would be to get the swelling under control.
So I guess it's time to take the pills and wait and see (again)! Cheers all. Tony.
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Date: 21.11.2012
From: Tony

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

Oh and one more point I forgot to mention he also gave me a shot of steroid in my backside, which seems to have worked wonders - I feel like a new man!!
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Date: 21.11.2012
From: Gillian

Subject: Re: RA and Mehotrexate

Tony those injections are brilliant arent they. I took hydroxychloroquine for ten weeks and it made me very poorly. It effected my central nervous system and also my hair lost its colour.
It took about four weeks for the toxins to clear and for me to feel better. So as you know, I am now on my third DMARD. Something has got to work one day.
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