Rheumatoid Arthritis

Hi! My name is Lauren and I am 22 and I have RA. I am starting methotrexate today and I am extremely nervous. I would just like some advice or encouragment fro m anyone else who has taken it or is currently taking it. I just want to know what to expect. I want to know how sick I should expect the med to make me and just all of that type of stuff. So if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

Hi, mtx can be a big help to you. I have been talking it for well over 2 years now and also take enbrel. It can have some side effects like upset your stomach. If thats the case than ask your Dr. for the injectable methotrexate. Everyone is differant so you have to wait and see how you do with it. Hope it helps your pain and stiffness. Manga

Lauren,
I have been on methorexate for 3 years now and i have had a lot of troble with it, but the results are wonderful, i have full use of my hands again. The side effects for me are when i take the injection severe tirdness for 2-3 days and nausia, but my dr gave me a nausia medicine to help and it has made a difference.
hang in there

I have been on methotrexate for 18 years. I have taken both the pill form and the injectable. At first it really helped with my joints. It was like I didn't have RA at all. However after all of these years I have deformity and pain. I can't take some of the other new meds because they give me a bad liver blood test within a month of use. Be sure to stay on top of this as time goes on. Talk with your doctor if you feel the methotrexate is becoming not enough. I have a severe form of RA . Not everyone is the same in this. I was not very sick from the methotrexate ever. I do have hair loss but part of that is hereditary. Good luck!

I started mtx in 8/07....6 tabs. once/wk . and prednisone 10 mg. twice a day after being newly dx. with RA. My phy. started me on folic acid 1000mcg.per day to counteract the side effects of mtx. I experienced no problems with any of the meds stomach or other wise. My hair is weakened because I'm shedding more than usual..but it could be from the prednisone also.. I'm a retired nurse anesthetist and take great pains in asking questions and demanding answers. Lauren you are young and should do well with good treatment that will prevent deformities in the future. If you are not satisfied with you phy. care or treatment...seek another opinion...that is your right! Don't be afraid...you have your whole life ahead of you...YOU WERE NOT ISSUED A DEATH SENTENCE!....just a slight lifestyle change. :<

Hello Laura. I am shy to take the new meds too. I am new to this web site and have questions too. You really have to think about what is best for you. I have had RA since I was in my teens. Almost 30 years now. I went through a lot of different meds for different medical problems. for me, It seemed every time I thought something new, I got another medical problem and needed another prescription. I have RA, Fibromyalgia, Migraine headaches, Acid reflux, serious allergies all year round, more. For years I walked away from doctors and took way too many Over the counter meds (otc) for pain. I did pretty well for years and worked part time only. then went back to doctors and was told my liver and kidney functions were way to high. They assumed I was alcohlic at first. then when I told the doses of asprin, tylenol, aleve I was taking each day... they said STOP or you'll wind up on a dialysis machine. I am back on presecription arthritis meds. I have chosen to take lower risk meds to cope with the pain. But I have lost a lot of function because of it. I feel I learned my lesson about taking "miracle drugs". Keep in mind that some serious side effects CAN'T be undone. I chose to wait for these more powerful drugs because I have had so many side effects from meds. I am the guy who would probably wind up with serious infection and perhaps die are be much worse than I am now. But where I am now is pretty much wheelchair and house bound. If I didn't have a long history of bad side effects with meds, I'd probably try the new powerful meds. But there are other things to think about. Looking back, the main reason I took the meds was because I couldn't cope with not being able to have a job and be like my friends. Decades later, I see I really don't have much more to show for having worked and pushing myself as hard as I did led to needing hip replacement and other joint damage. There is one thing in these messages I didn't notice. What is your emotional state with respect to your choice? Are you so desperate to feel better right now that you would risk just about anything? Perhaps even your health or life? I was at that place once, but I am not anymore. I hope this helps but keep in mind, I have questions too. As Other people said, you really have to decide for you because everyone IS different. Where your head is at is a big part of. And of ALL people YOU will live with YOUR decision/ consequences MORE than anyone else. Some consequences can't be undone. This message is sent with love. Hang in there. There aren't always easy answers.

OOps, sorry Lauren. I see I called you Laura.

Hi, I am a new member, too. I am 57 and have just been diagnosed with RA. It is a very early diagnosis and I apparently am lucky because I don't have much pain at all, just a few changes in hand/ankle xrays. My Dr. wants to put me on Methotrexate and I am terrified of being sick all the time. I get stomach upsets from nearly any medications. It seems like such an aggressive move. Longtimers, tell me: if you were feeling fine would you take Methotrexate? Thanks, Sue

Hi, iam 59 and came down with ra three years ago. I had a very severe case could not walk, hold a cup of cofee and barely could dress myself . I lived in pain. I was first put on plaquenil, it did not work than went on to mtx the drug your on. Took that by pill form first than was switch to mtx injections as it was upsetting my stomach. that was ok than but it did not work either they than put me on Arava and went back on mtx pill form 25mg weekly that did very little. Today iam on Enbrel injections and mtx and i am doing great, can do most things and only have some pain at night in one leg. I really hope the mtx works for you so you do not have to continue to find meds to help. The enbrel was the magic bullet for me as i lived in pain. Take care stay in touch. Manga

hi, im 28 and was diagnosed with a severe case of RA shortly after the birth of my 3rd child...i currently take prednisone, methotrexate, humira.........the methotrexate gives me stomach pain diareah but i eat an apple every friday when i take it and that works..........if i was u, id be more nervous about not taking it.....

Hi, yes i agree. I take enbrel and mtx, its working very very well for me as i was very sick with ra and in so much pain. I have had people write saying oh enbrel and Humeria causes cancer and they would not take it, well maybe they were not in as bad a shape as you and i were in. One has to do whats best for themselves and follow their Dr's advice. Hope your doing ok, stay in touch. Manga

Thanks,everyone. I am almost convinced to start my mtx. Scary for sure! Has anyone heard that cherry juice concentrate is beneficial? susan

Hi Susan...about the cherry concentrate, I think it may help somewhat and can be beneficial. But, I drank and drank and drank that stuff and it didn't help me much or at all. Maybe spunked me with a little energy from the tarty cherry taste, but that was short lived. Your doctor will probably put you on folic acid to help offset the stomach issues with mtx. I started out with stomach aches, but once th folic acid was built up in my system, it didn't seem to feel as harsh. I think the mtx actually made me feel more tired for a few days of taking it. Good luck!

Thanks, Sweetpea. Yes, I have an RX for the folic acid, and I got my Rheumy to order Mx as an ingection instead of pill. I am going to start Monday! Susan