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Date: 22.03.2016
From: alan

Subject: How long before methotrexate kick in?

I began on sulfasalazine but had a nasty skin reaction.

I've now been on methotrexate for 13 weeks with no side effects though I can't say I feel a lot better - still stiff and a painfully slow walker!

Can any long-term methotrexate takers let me know if it might get better after 13 weeks?
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: fox

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

It's supposed to be about 12 weeks but it never kicked in for me so they took me off it plus I got really nasty chest infections.
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: lucy

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

Hi Alan, They often prescribe sulphasalazine, methx. and (hydroxychloroquine) together as they say the three together works better. Some people seem to do well on methotrexate alone, I'm not too sure how long it should take before you notice a difference as I was one of the ones that didn't feel much benefit from it but I'm still on it as I take a biologic drug now and they say it works better with mtx. I would give it another month or so and if you're still not feeling any benefit then you may need to add something else. How much of it are you taking? are you taking 25mg? It's usually started gradually so it may take a wee while at the full dose before you feel any benefit but you could ask for a steroid injection to help until it does kick in.
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

hi Alan , its good you are not getting any side effects , do you get your blood test results , some surgerys will fill in booklets so you will see the results , the link below is the one I was given
http://www.nrls.npsa.nhs.uk/EasySiteWeb/getresource.axd?AssetID=60033

like Lucy said , it should take 12 weeks but most feel improvements within a few weeks , the bloods will tell you what is going on , CRP & ESR are for inflammation in your system & WCC will show if your immune system is lowered , there are alot of thing you should be not taking with MTX , like anything to improve your immune system ie: vitamin c & e plus drugs like St.John's Wort which will interact with MTX ,

most of us will take more than one of these drugs along with a biologic but they have to start you on MTX first & maybe start you on a additional drug like Supha before they can offer you a biological drug
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Date: 22.03.2016
From: alan

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

Thanks Lucy,
I've been on 25mg for most of the 13 weeks. I see the rheumatologist in about a month so will see what he suggests.

I want to avoid steroid injections if possible as I've had several over the last 3 years (I had polymyalgia before RA). They are magic but maybe not good fro the bones!

Alan
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Date: 06.04.2016
From: Emily

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

Mine took about 5 months to work properly. Stick with it xx
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Date: 25.04.2016
From: Adam

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

I've been taking incapsulated a variety of 30 different fruits, vegetables and berries for the past 8 months and my arthritis is hardly an issue anymore. This is because of all the nutrients and berries reduce inflammation. Hope this helps everyone.
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Date: 16.05.2016
From: Ed

Subject: Re: How long before methotrexate kick in?

The Methotrexate 20mg is the max per week
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