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To add on to Lene's stats on Mtx, I also found this in a publication by The Arthritis Foundation:   "Despite the list of side effects with mtx treatment, more than 60 percent of people who start mtx take it safely for longer than five years, and more than 40 percent take it safely for more than 10 years.  Low-dose mtx is an important, effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis."   Now the people who are no longer taking it "safely" may simply no longer take it because it bothered their stomach or it ceased to be effective. Perhaps some went into remission!  Part of the stats too, inevitably include people who had other medical or lifestyle issues that came into play. Issues that may never even be on your radar screen!  People with drug or alcohol issues or even folks that may not be competent to take it correctly over time.  (My gma w/ RA couldn't understand that you aren't supposed to take mtx each day. YIKES!) I'm not sayting that accounts for all of it or anything but something to chew on anyway.   Also consider that when it comes to "the meth" it is closely monitored.  I get my liver enzymes checked every four weeks and so far so good.  If at any point it becomes an issue, I can deside at that time if and how I want to continue.    Ooooo! I just now found an entire handy dandy chart in a John Hopkins Health Book of side effects of different RA medications and their percent of incidence.  I can share that with you if you like, but I've probably already gone on enough to be obnoxious.  Just let me know.