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Date: 17.06.2013
From: Mel

Subject: Newbie Alert

Hi everyone. Just stumbled across this forum which seems very helpful and informative.

I have taken my second dose of MTX today 10mgs. I first saw my Rheumatologist last February and it has taken me this long to start on the medication because I am so concerned about side effects.

Fortunately my RA is mild but I have had tendonitis for a few months now, in my index and middle fingers.

I'm unhappy about taking MTX and only wanted treatment for the tendonitis but my rheumy wants me on it to prevent any joint damage in the future.

I can understand this but if it's only tendonitis, does this warrant taking a potentially dangerous drug.

I'd love your opinions please and sorry for waffling on when your RA is a lot worse than mine.
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Date: 18.06.2013
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Newbie Alert

hi Mel , sorry you have RA , there is a lot of us on here with it , myself had RA since mid 90s & been on Methotrexate since 1998 , if your RA is mild then that is very luck but dont mean you wont get joint damage & that is the point of all these drugs is to stop the damage . 10 mg is a low dose but if that keeps it under control then that is good , 25mg is max for RA but even that is a lot lower than is taken when its used to treat cancer

Folic acid will help with the side effects from MTX with some of us taking 5mg six days a week , Tendoitis goes with RA & should settle down when they get it under control

the outlook for RA is very good with loads of new drugs out in the last 10 years & with the new ones they are developing & as long as you dontt have joint damage a effective treatment should be out some time soon & that is the reason you have to take a drug like MTX to stop the joint damage

in the link section above , you will fine National Rheumatatiod Arthritis Society & Arthritis Care websites & both have free helplines if you need it
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Date: 18.06.2013
From: Mel

Subject: Re: Newbie Alert

Hi Colin

Thanks for your reply. My rheumy wanted to start me on 15mg but because of my cocern, he's advised 10mg for a few weeks before increasing. I take one folic acid tablet a week. At the moment I am getting a little bit of nausea but I can cope with that. It may get worse with a larger dose of MTX though, but one step at a time. I hope in time they can find a treatment for RA without the nasty side effects. You seem to be doing OK on MTX if you have been taking it for fifteen years. Hope that continues for you.

Mel
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