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Date: 19.11.2013
From: lol

Subject: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

hi its lol went to see my rhummy nurse today had to come off sulfasalazine because of oral thrush nurse said consultant wanted a word with me. he said he wanted me to go on methotrexate as i keep having bad side effects with the sulfa i dont want to go on met as i have heard so many bad things about the side effects and they are serious. he said i can try the sulfa again started me on two a day for two weeks then up it to 3 what do people think about the methorexate i cant tolerate tablets very well and always get side effects i am frightened that he said the inflammatory arthritis can cause deformity and organ problems can anyone give me some input x
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Date: 19.11.2013
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

methotrexate can work realy well & some of us take 25mg per week with no side effects , just make sure they give you 5mg tablets of folic acid six days a week & you should have little or no side effects
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Date: 20.11.2013
From: karen

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

Hi lol

I was on sulfa for a bit & it didnt agree with me, then was put on mtx which was fantastic for me, didnt have any side effects really apart from feeling a little sick but that went after a cpl of weeks, you should try it & if it doesnt agree with you, then maybe try something else...good luck! x
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Date: 20.11.2013
From: Denise

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

Hi lol

I am on mtx and it is not working very well for me but you have to try at least two DMARDS before you are considered for anything else.

Like you I didn't like the idea of mtx but if you look at the consequences if you don't take meds, then there is no option.

Give the tablets a whirl and see how you go. If you really cant tolerate tablets then they can teach you to self inject the med.

My consultant told me on Monday that mtx works for 85% of people so here's hoping xx
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Date: 20.11.2013
From: Paula-R

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

You have to realise that MTX is the most commonly used drug for RA. I have read that over 90% of people with RA have at some time been on the drug. It is the gold star treatment for RA, it normally is the anchor drug to which other drugs are added.

You will read more about the side effects of this drug than other drugs simply because more people are on it. I would imagine that the percentage of side effects for every drug would be the same as MTX.

Anti tnf's have been mentioned but NICE guidelines at the moment state that you have to have tried two DMARD'S before being assessed for these drugs and one of them has to be MTX.

I started taking MTX, tablet form, 2010 and had no side effects at all. I changed to injections a year later at the same dose and my liver didn't like it so my dose was lowered. I have noticed since I've been injecting that my hair is getting thinner.

Loads of people are on MTX and have had a really good response to it. If you google RA Warrior, there is a tab across the top of the home page about MTX, I found this very useful to read.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

Paula x
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Date: 02.01.2014
From: Megan

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

Hi ya
I was on MXT I was very worried about the side effects but as mentioned above I did feel sick at first and when dose was increased but not much else. I was very worried about loosing my hair but actually my hair seemed to improve and looked better and fuller than it had in years. Unfortunatly my liver didn't like it. I didn't think it had made that much difference to my Arthritis but I soon noticed a difference after stopping. Its worth a try and may help if only for a while. My nurse said it would take 3-4 weeks before I notice anything, I would say its more like 3-4 months.
good luck. Megan
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Date: 11.01.2014
From: Una

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

Hi Lol

I was diagnosed with PsA last May following 2 years of pain where I thought I was going crazy. It was such a relief to finally get a diagnosis.

Like you I had lots of fear and misgivings about Methotrexate, but I did get fantastic relief from it, and it worked for me within 8 weeks. I was sick the first week but honestly think now it was because of being so worried about starting it as was much better for the rest of the time.
Unfortunately I am one of the unlucky ones who had to come off it after 6 months because my liver wasn't so keen on it, but 4 weeks after stopping my liver was back to normal again (and no lasting damage).

In terms of inflammatory arthritis meds I think it's the one the doctors know most about. It has been in use longer than any of the others, they know what side effects to look for and what to give to help avoid problems.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. Una
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Date: 22.01.2014
From: charlotte

Subject: Re: methotrexate should i go on it really frightened what consult said help

Hi

I was on Sulfasalazine for about 2 years but again it disagreed with me. I have just changed to Hydroxychoroquine and it seems to be ok, maybe its something different to try. Im only 26 and they didnt want to put me on methatrexate yet as im child bearing age! They say it is an old fashioned treatment but seems to be working for me. Only problem is it can affect your eyesight. Maybe a different idea for you.
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