I have been trying desperately to look for a perfect site to answer all you questions including one that had personal experiences of the methotrexate injections. I only take the oral form of this medication as it is more affordable to me. My rheumatologist has tried to get me on the injectable form though, as it is not as hard on your stomach. I have spoken to many people who have not nausea on the injectable form. I have also met many people who have never experienced the hair loss. Unfortunately this is one of those wonderful drugs that has so many different side effects for so many different people. In researching this for you, I did find some things that I think might be helpful though, so here they are:
Now this site has personal experiences and rates this medication for rheumatoid arthritis based on effectiveness, ease of use, and satisfaction. It has 21 comments on peoples personal experience.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682018.html
And this tells a little more on what to expect from injectable methotrexate.
I wish I could tell you by experience what to expect from these injection, but I only take the oral form. And while this is a very scary medication I can tell you from three years of experience that if I have to miss even one dose of this medication, I FEEL it! I wish you the best of luck, and let us know what you decide and if it is working for you. Best wishes!
I understand what you are going through. I suggest you find a new rheumatologist. I went through 3 before I found one I was comfortable with and took the time to alleviate my fears. I am going to be starting the Methetrexate pills this week. I was very concerned about all of the side effects and my rheumatologist went thru them all with me. the chances of hair loss, cancer, lung disease and such are slim. The most common symptom is fatigue but that generally is only for about 24 hours after you take the pills and it generally gets better. This is because your body is trying to heal itself and does so better when you are sleeping. You can also alleviate alot of the side effects by taking folic acid vitamins. Take them every day except on the day you take your methotrexate pills. I have not taken the shots as yet and I hope I wont need to but maybe if you talk to your doctor about your concerns on the side effects they will be able to explain them to you. Everyone is different and will have different responses so you and your doctor will need some time to find the perfect dosage and procedure for you. I am 29 and have been battling this for 4 years now. The other drugs have not helped me. Currently I am on arthrotec, sulfasalazine and plaquinel. I wish you the best of luck
Hi Tammy. I started on Plaquenil, sulfasalazine and methotrexate pills. The pills actually bothered my stomach more then the shots. I no longer am on sulfasalazine as I was not geting better. So they switched me to Humira shots biweekly(extrememly painful going in) as well as still the plaquenil and I also inject the methotrexate at home weeky. Every thursday, and every other day I take folic acid. I started Humira last oct. I feel no real bebefit yet. Joint pain in better but fatigue is nuts. I dont know if its the meds, the RA or the fibromyalgia. I am just...so beat. Anyway. Thats my till July 2009 plan.I guess well see how it goes from there. You started a few years early with the RA then me. I never would have thought being active, young, and healthy, with no genetic predisposition I would have ever had RA. Or anything else of course. You just learn I guess to live with it, but its hard as this is no where near the active life I lead. The side effects of Huira bother me more then the methotreate shots now. Humira is so new, who knows long term side effects? And reading some peoples side effects on here make me more leary, but every second thursday I hit the pen, and inject the meds. Any way thanks for every and anyones input. Shan
Well have you been on the oral form? Has it nor worked? Frankly, I wasn't aware that methotrexate came in an injectible so it shows you how much I know...
Everyone I know with RA, (and everyone I know who is familiar with RA meds,) both know the tablet form and seem to recommend it highly.
If you haven't tried the tabs I'd suggest you start there and not inject yourself unless necessary. I do it with Enbrel and that stuff is awful. Either way I hope that you find a medication that works best for you!
Hi Shan,
Enbrel is an amazing drug but the shots are awful. I do the 50mg, once weekly, self-injector at home. It's easy to do, I get a 4-week supply at a time. Very straightforward, takes about 15 seconds but it's.... awful. I won't lie to you because you need to know - it's like fire shooting into your leg (where I generally do it, ) spreading out around it and it can be tender for 10 minutes or so afterward. I've gotten bruises the size of silver dollars, rashes and stiffness around the injection site. I've experienced multi-day headaches and my concentration level has shot way down. I find that if I take some sort of pain relief beforehand (30 minutes to an hour) then it hurts much less. On Sunday I took nothing and cried when the medicine started going in. The needle is tiny and painless.
The good news? It's a miracle drug, period. For a small number of folks I hear it doesn't do much but for the vast majority it's just heavenly. Within 2 weeks I noticed an improvement in my mobility and a decrease in my morning pain. The shots are definitely worth it. The only other downside is the cost. A lot of insurance plans won't cover it at all. I'm lucky in that mine does 100%. It's about $1600 a month otherwise.
If you're able to, give it a shot. (HA Ha!)
There are forms you and the doctor fill out asking for some financial relief which may be of interest.
I think a small amount of rash around the injection site is relatively common. My doctor wasn't concerned about it. Regarding the ability to actualyl give myself the shots - it's not easy. The first time I had to have someone with me because knowing I was about to cause myself pain was enough to keep me from doing the shot. There was one night I sat there for 45 minutes with the needle pressed against my thigh willing myself to do the shot and just could not. I was in tears and had to give up. About an hour later I though, well this is silly of me! In the end I want to be healthy and my little one needs a healthy Mama. So I grabbed another needle, sat down on the couch and said, ok no counting down, no rationlizing why I don't need to do this. I said "this is for my son" and sure enough, shot msyelf in the leg no problem. Maybe I seem like a chicken for it but those things really hurt. The key is, if you have issues as I do, finding something that makes everything in life worth it - any amount of pain. For me it's my son.
He and I live in Sacramento, CA. :)
If you switch to the two shots a week you will be happy. They don't burn. It is a different preserative in it. I was on the two shots for 9 years and was happy. It wasn't until the nurse in my doctors office switched me to the one shot the I became allergic to Enbrel. I really miss it. I started Humara and developed breast cancer almost immediately. Good luck with the Enbrel.
Vicki
Man I have been doing Humira now since oct 2008 every 2 weeks. This breast cancer is scaring me. Seems theres more then one on here whos had that side effect. I hate these biologics, there are no long term effects known as they are so new. I am so scared. Its like you are between a rock and a hard place. Meds to slow RA effects, but meds, can cause so much more in the long run. I just did my methotrexate and Humira shot today. I hate not knowing what its doing! I do not feel great benefits..what do i do keep going?? i dont want cancer, and it seems Humara has a bad side effect of lymphoma cancers, i guess thats why the breast cancer seems to be common on here any way. I am just scared. Honest I dont know what to do, or who to even talk to. I know my parents want me off it, and I know my Rhumatologist is pushing it. WHAT DO I DO!
Ask your doctor about Enbrel. I was on it for 10 years with no problems until the nurse switched me to one shot a week. If you go on Enbrel, insist on the two shots a week. They work well and don't hurt. The one shot a week hurts and it has a different preservative. I was allergic to the preservative.
I HAVE BEEN ON METHOTRAXATE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. FIRST I WAS ON THE PILL FORM FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS. I STAYED NAUSEATED COUPLE DAYS AFTER TAKING.....THEN I WENT OF THE INJECTIONS........ONE EVERY WEEK.....THAT I TOLERATED OK.....THEN I WAS PUT ON ARAVA FOR A COUPLE YEARS.....THEN BACK ON THE METHOTRAXATE...........METHOTRAXATE IS A CANCER AND R/A BLOCKER.........SO I STUCK WITH IT..NOW I AM ON THE HUMARIA INJECTION PLUS THE METHOTRAXATE.......HUMARIA IS TO ME A MIRACLE DRUG...........THE DAY AFTER TAKING IT I WAS PAIN FREE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS........MY R/A DOCTORS IS SO VERY PLEASED WITH MY RESULTS ..SO FAR....MINE HANDS AND ARMS ARE MY BIGGESTS PROBLEMS..I SCREAMED AND CRIED A LOT AT NIGHTS WITH SEVER PAIN...........SO FAR, I HAVE ONLY HAD 4 INJECTION OF THE HUMARIA. I DO SO WORRY ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS LATER ON.....RIGHT NOW TO ME THE GOOD OUT WEIGHS THE BAD......
I AM SO TIRED OF THIS PAIN...I HAVE HAD R/A MOST OF MY LIFE ..YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.I HAVE R/A IT DON'T HAVE ME...........
GOD BLESS I HOPE THIS HELP IN SOME WAY
CIN1007.
Please don't talk like that..R/A is mean and nasty......don't never give up on helping yourself find some reelief......... there is help out there for you............I understand how you feel i truly do.my pain at times is almost unbearable.......but, i don't let it get me down.....I scream and cry at lot..........have for years..........Methotraxate helps to stop the spread of r/a so keep taking it ......at least you want be crippled up.....please call this number for help.
Abbott patience assistance foundation............1-800-222-6885
God Bless You, My prayers are with you
Betty in Tenn
Ever tried or looked into yoga as an option ? Have RA, not as severe as yours perhaps but have been on medication for 5 years. Am doing breathing exercises which are good for your nervous system which in turn affects your immune system. Its not a lot of hocus pocus stuff there is a lot of science behind it. Go to the internet and google 'pranayam' and read about. Unlike drugs there are no side effects or any downside to this therapy. I know many people who do regular yoga and swear by its positive effects. I'm willing to try anything that might help me wean myself from strong drugs/chemicals. May not cure the disease but at least all this chemical junk wont totally poison my body and destroy the healthy parts !
I have been taking Methotraxate for over 10 years and haven't had any problems. I was only on Humaria for three weeks when I found a lump in my breast. Three weeks later it had doubled in size. I had all the test and it came back cancer. Three weeks later it was 2.3cm when they took it out. At first they thought it was regular type cancer untill they did an oncotype which came back the most aggressive kind of cancer. I called my RA doctor to tell him about the cancer. He said not to take another shot because they did not know what Humaria does to cancer. I believe it caused mine and made it aggressive. I had radiation and then chemo. The chemo did like my body and attacked my breast. I lost half my breast to the cancer and half to the chemo. I believe Humaria caused some change in my body that did this.
My friend lost her mother-in-law last year from lung cancer. They thought the chemo and surgery had gotten it all until she fell and broke her neck. They went in to fix her neck and discovered a large mass in her spine. The chemo didn't stop it. She died. She had been on Humaria. If you are on it please be aware of any changes in your body. It seems to really love cancer.
I am sorry for you. I started Humira last 0ct 2008, take one every 2 weeks, also inject myself with Methotrexate every thurs. Still on plaquenil, and a folic acid every day but thurs. Humira has a tack record from what I have read and even been told by mhy doc of causing a number of lymphoma cancers. I was extremely scared to start the meds. Was on Arava for July, it almost killled me, was so sick wanted to go to the vet and be put to sleep. Took Aug and sept to detox. Then like I said i started Humira. A few times with in the month my breasts have been tender and had a lump, but it went away by 2 weeks so I figured it was hormones. I can honestly say, I am not so sure the Humira for me has really done much. My joints hurt a bit less. My fatigue is ridiculous. i feel so bad for my kids..I practically am in bed while they are in school all day, then see them for an hour and back to bed. Honestly the fatigue is bothering me worse then the pain. I also do have fibromyalgia. So i really dont know if its the RA or the Fibromyalgia.Does any one else have any input on the fatigue?Is mine a little ridiculous??or just the norm. I hope everyone the best. thanks shan
First, please go to your doctor andget a memogram done on your breast. It is better to be safe than sorry. I was on Enbrel for about 9 years and it really helped with my pain, stiffness and energy. My complection was also nice. I would still be on it but a nurse changed me from two shots a week to one shot a week and the one shot meds had a different preserative in it that I was allergic to so I had to stop taking it. I think the drug is very good, just do the two shots a week. The one shot Enbrel also burns going in but the two shot Enbrel doesn't. Also, take vitamins to help build up you immune system. You might also want to see if you are depressed. I have been going through some depression and I have been so tired and have no desire to do anything I love to do. Depression can do as much to you as RA or any other sickness.
I hope and pray all goes well for you.
Vicki
I was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago. Dr. started me on methotrexate and enbrel right away. Was working at the time and still had flare ups with the medication. Switched me to humira after a year on the enbrel. Dont have very many symptoms except my wrists hurt if I carry /lift heavy things. Yes, my hair did fall out. Not bald, but thinning. Am afraid to stop the medication because the blood tests reveal progression of the disease and stopping or cutting down on the medication may mean I cant function normally. My husband has been encouraging me to look into alternative therapies, so I am reading all I can about diets and herbal remedies etc. Have started taking ayurvedic pills, yet to determine if they are truly effective (havent been on them long enough). Dr. is of no help, doesnt want to believe there is any benefit in such therapies ! Shouldn't be surprised though. Bottom line, the shots and methotrexate are effective. Only side effect observed so far is hair loss. Big concern though is the long term use of these drugs which is the reason I am trying other things.Remember Celebrex and Vioxx ?
Severe (didn't know it would get this bad) RA hit Mom at age 78...she hesitated about the drugs like Methotxt and enbrol, humira. Her advice now is start it yesterday! She hasn't had any of the contraindications you describe but has suffered awful joint damage because ahe waited till they advanced. Decide to get off them later if they bother you. Many of the risks to these drugs are risks that come with RA anyway.
I saw a rheumatlogist for 2 years that refused to treat me for rheumatoid arthritis. It does not show up in my blood work but my mother had it and it did show up in hers. This doctor treated my arthritis for these 2 years with prednisone and would occassionaly give me methotrexate orally. The oral form didn't seem to help but I didn't have any bad side effects. He finally admitted he didn't know what else to do for me. So I found a new doctor and she immediately took me off the prednisone and put me on methotrexate by injection and increased the dose. I began to see improvement immediately. The injection worked better than the pill and I still have had no bad side effects. I could tell the most difference with how tired I felt. I was still having some joint pain though. So she put me on Humira. Finally I found relief. I take methotrexate once a week and Humira every 10 days. I have not had any ill effects from the Humira either. Although my hair does fall out more than it use to. But that is still not enough to tell. Good Luck to you all with this horrible disease.
I also had a hard time taking the leap of faith a take something with such scary side efects. It took me 3 years to start. first i take the pills and i take them for my skin.
prosorisis. I take 2.5X6 per week. and it really has helped my conditions wth very little sid e effects. yes i am tiered the days i take it. yes, its worth it. the effects your worried about kidney liver ect are really asssoiated with long term use.
i am a worry wart and i would say it is deffinatley worth trying if you are in pain.
if you don't like it you can always stop and try something else.
sincereley, 42yr old female NY
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I didn't take shots so keep that in mind when I tell you my side affects. I took pills. For the first couple of weeks I felt pretty good. Then..I woke up one morning with a rash around my chest to my back. I developed shingles. The doctor said my weakend immune system gave the old chicken pox virus a chance to spring into action. It was bad but livable. I was worried about all the side effects you mentioned but they didn't happen. Course, I stopped taking it when the shingles developed.
Good luck to you