Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Hi everyone.I Haven't been on much in the last couple of weeks,still fighting a bad flare in my feet and ankles.In a lot of pain and had an appointment with my rheumy today.She said the arava is not working for me and my inflammation levels in the blood are really high so she changed my meds.No more arava,did'nt like it anyway.It makes me sick.I'm to start an mtx tomorrow.Six pills once a week.Also folic.What should I exspect?Will this make me sick to?Hope not,some of you say you have no problems with it.My rheumy told me it is a tried and true med and should help.I guess I just gotta have faith in her,she told me we would keep trying until we got the right combo.Kind of scared.I read the side-effects on all this medication and it's bad,then she left the room and came back and handed me a list of side-effects to read with the name covered over,they were not good either.It was tylenol.She told me most meds had a lot of side-effects people just never realize it.She made it clear I have to take the meds or it will be really bad(as in permanent joint damage).I HATE THIS DAMN DISEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!Sorry.I"m having a pity party I guess.Thanks my friends for listening.Susan

I understand your apprehension over taking mtx. I am in the same boat. I didn't want to go that route so my rheumy is letting me do plaq. So far so good. The side effects of every drug is scary! If needed, I will take mtx because feeling good and having a life is more important than no life and pain. Wishing you all the best! Let us know how you are doing on it.

Many years ago a doc told my mom if you read the side effects of an aspirin you would be scared to take one. And that was before we knew not to give anyone under 18 an aspirin.

I was terrified to take plaq then MTX.

Plaq did not work and MTX did not work well enough for me. The Mtx injections were 100% better than the pills in that I had no side effects such as nausea, overwhelming fatigue with shots.

If you become nauseous ask for something like phenergin. I kept it on hand the entire time I used the pills. Had to take a few for a couple of days. Never needed it with shots.

MTX is considered the gold standard for treating RAD. Many people use it and many benefit greatly.

By the time I had to start a biological my fears were less than my desire to have the best quality of life possible.

Enbrel was a miracle med for me. Just couldn't continue taking it because of serious side effects.

If docs would let me I would gladly try it again.

I know you are scared. This is very normal.

Just tell yourself you'll give it a try. You always have the power to stop.

And what if it works? Wow...

Keep hope alive. It has a better chance of working than not working.

Hugs

Post edited by: bits, at: 04/24/2012 08:49 PM

sometimes as the saying goes "The cure is worse than the disease" but I am not so sure!!!

I know it is hard to take some of these drugs but much better than the disease I say....

Give it a try & let us know how it goes..

((HUGS))

Libyana

MTX and pred has benefited me greatly , while not totally without pain the difference between a full flare and now is significant.

It's good stuff causing minor nausea but a couple of peppermint candies settle it right down.

Good Luck

PS I 'm on my 12th week of 8MTX once a week and .5 pred everyday, it takes time to kick in so if you can tolerate the drugs just give them time.

What your DR said is true, the meds are meds but they do halt/ slow down damage from the RAD, I too started of with 6 pills of mtx and the pills were not so successful as a med and the side effects were sick feeling, tiredness etc but once my rheumy changed me to the 15ml of mtx in injection form it was amazing for me, within a week i saw a huge difference. I have recently added Enbrel as well cos i couldnt lower the pred dose without flares. I was hesitant about that too but one of these meds will be another MTX FOR ME, and i want to ive life as best as can so I trust my doc to listen to me and do his best for me. Good luck to you, ps the pills do take time ti kick in

Hi everyone,I took the mtx yesterday and have been so tired I can barely move,pain is worse in the inflammed areas also.Does mtx cause this much fatigue.All I want to do is lay down and sleep.No nausea,have a headache and so very tired,Help! is this normal for beginning mtx? PS. How long does the fatigue usually last?

Post edited by: lakelady, at: 04/26/2012 03:59 PM

Yep, the MTX will make you tired, no matter what form you take it in. I toughed out the oral MTX for two months, then demanded to be switched to injections. No side effects at all besides the tiredness.

If you do get nausea with the oral dosage, have your rheumy prescribe you Zofran until your body gets used to the meds. Worked wonders for me!

Yes, MTX makes you really really tired, at least it has for me. I just started last week, and so far no nausea with either dose, but horrible fatigue. I wish I could explain the fatigue to others, so they would understand I am not just "tired."

Hi Lakelady.

I had the same experience with MTX, but it did get better. You know... the stuff does work for RA, and for many people it's a real help. But it is poison. I felt "poisoned" after taking it, especially in the beginning.

One big help was switching from oral to injections. No more nausea and I didn't feel as sick that way.

It did help, I think. I had to go off it because my doctor thought it wasn't good for my liver. So on that note, be sure to do your labs religiously.

I hope the MTX works well for you. I know a lot of people have been helped by it.