I was very dubious at first, but if you were recently diagnosed, the treatment is agressive at first so the RA does not spread to other joints. i was very worried about the consequences at first, but it is the standard treatment used and the amount will vary over time and your reaction to the drug. I'd say take it and give it a few months to see if you notice any improvemnt, otherwise you may suffer further joint pain and discomfort. It's all relative to the pain you are in and the restrictions on your lifestyle.                               

                                             ger.       

I've been on 20mg MTX/weekly for many years now, with excellent results over a short period of time for psoriasis and arthritis.  Within a few months I noticed a significant improvement.  I inject once weekly and have coped well with the side effects which can vary throughout your treatment.  The main side effects I have are headaches, mouth ulcers, nausea and tiredness, but these are manageable and certainly small in comparison to being covered in psoriasis.  I would recommend that you definitely keep on top of your blood tests, which should be every 4-6 weeks, and it's vitally important to avoid alcohol in order to minimise risk of liver damage, and always keep your consultant appointments to ensure you're being monitored, and you shoudl have no problems.  Your consultant will adjust your doseage to ensure you are not over-medicating and yet keeping a good control of your condition.  I would not give up methotrexate to go back to how I felt beforehand, regardless of these side effects - it's definitely worth sticking with it.

You really need to weigh out the possibility of getting better and your quality of life.  I know you will say YES to getting your life back.  I researched and researched mtx before I agreed to go on it.  I take 30mg per week along with Planquil (however you spell it)hehe and now Enbrel.  I first tried the mtx with the plq and my progression slowed a bit but not to the point at all to get my life back.  My side effects have been fatigue, headache a day or two after my dose and for me it has been a severe headache, hair loss, and some upset stomach.  It is all tolerable, the side effects are better than the disease anyday!! I don't know how fast yours is progressing or how severe, but listen to your doc's suggestions and be patient and confident that he or she will get you on the right meds to take care of you!!  It has been somewhat of a long process for me I feel but as I am feeling better and am on the track of getting my life back it has been so worth it! Make sure you get the necessary blood tests so they can monitor your enzyme levels.  There are tons of people on the drug, everyone reacts differently just communicate with your doctor on how it effects you!  Best of luck, it does get better! I actually got to a point where I was thinking I was just going to have to live with this pain now after adding Enbrel it has made all the difference for me!!

Kathy

6/15/10 6:38pm

I've had RA for over a year and have been taking Naproxen. My Doc put me on MTX yesterday. I am really scared to take it. One of my concerns is the hair loss. I am under a LOT of stress and am already taking clonazapamfor anxiety. Even with the anti-anxiety med, I've been losing hair for the past year. I'm scared I'll really go bald. I was wondering if you are still losing hair or does it stop after a while.

Thanks

Our 14yr old daughter was put on Methotrexate four months ago. We thought everything was going good, until last month went her urine changed to orange and then finally red. Now we are off the Methotrexate and are going to see a kidney specialist this week to see if there is damage to her kidneys. We also have done all of the lab work that was needed but now we are terrified that instead of helping her this medicine has done more damage.