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I was diagnosed as having RA back in October. I have been taking sulfasalazine which has done nothing. It is advil that helps the most. I went to the big hospital nearby to get a second opinion. I was told that if I have RA it is very atypical but that they have no idea what else it might be. I have achy pain in achilles and elbows but all the blood tests for RA as well as xrays come back negative. The 2nd opinion doc did agree with my regular rheumo guy that I should start methyltrexate. I want to know what peoples experience is on this drug and what do you think about my waiting 6 more months before I try medication? Thanks for your advice.
Oh yea, forgot to mention, I do have a script for Methyltrexate and Embril. I promiced my wife I would get it filled if/when I had the next bout with severe swelling etc. I have a friend on Methyl.,seems to be fairly effective on him.
HI, New here myself. But, I wanted to say that many of the meds are not for flares but to prevent progression of the disease. If your dr. prescribed the meds for you, I think you may wish to take them now. I take Methotrexate 20mg and Daypro. I am feeling better and we hope that MTX is helping stop the progression of RA. Good luck to you!!
babs10;From my understanding and research, The undenatured collagen IS to prevent progression. Actually I am weining off prednisone now. Time will tell what happens.Definately worth a try being that there are no (documented)side effects.
Hi - I'm also new to this cite - diagnosed with RA in Fall of 2006. I have been taking Methotrexate along with a host of other meds. There are side effects for all drugs, but the benefits (imo) outweight the potential effects. It can take quite a while for some of these meds to work, so you might not want to wait until a flare. Also, as Babs10 mentioned, Enbrel is intended to prevent further damage.
As far as the Methotrexate, my best advice is to take it at night, right before bed. It upsets my stomach sometimes and I'm typically tired the next day - because of this, I take my dose on Saturday nights. I've read that eating starchy foods the day you take it helps with the stomach issues. Were you also written a prescription for Folic Acid? It's recommended that you take that on a daily basis also to lighten the stomach issues. If you can't tolerate it, there is an injectable form.
CJ; Do you eventually get off Methotrexate and just stay on Enbrel for long term treatment, or is it both forever? My Dr. is doing a study where he puts you on both then knocks off the MTX after a given time or good blood test. Just curious.
My dr. hasn't mentioned if/when I'll be off Methotrexate, but I've had a hard time getting my pain under control since it began. I do Humira injections weekly and would eventually like to decrease to bi-weekly or try something different. I've heard it can take a lot of trial and error to figure out the right combination of meds and some work better together.
Rheumatoid Arthritis Community 
