Methotrexate

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Has anyone taken methotrexate for inflammatory arthritis?? I've tried other drugs and the only one that works is presnisone but that has serious side effects long term. I'm willing to give the methotrexate a try but I'm afraid of side effects for this drug also. I took the first dose today and feel fine. My doctor said a lot of people have nausea and vomiting after taking the drug. Thanks!

 

[Mirielle]

Has anyone taken methotrexate for inflammatory arthritis?? I've tried other drugs and the only one that works is presnisone but that has serious side effects long term. I'm willing to give the methotrexate a try but I'm afraid of side effects for this drug also. I took the first dose today and feel fine. My doctor said a lot of people have nausea and vomiting after taking the drug. Thanks!

Yes, I tried it and got no positive effects from it AT ALL. I was horribly disappointed! Prednisone did the best for me , but once on it, I had a horrible time weaning off it. I've tried most available arthritis drugs with little or no help. Currently, I'm taking nothing for the pain...just suffering.

ETA: Prednisone provided very short time relief (as told it would) but I did manage to go up 2 dress sizes.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Oh sorry that it didn't help you at all. I'll give it a month and see how it goes. I know what you mean about prednisone. I was ravenously hungry while taking it!

 

[willowsnn3]

My daughter in law took it. She must have liked it as she got very upset when after awhile her doctor took her off it and when she went to a new doctor they wouldn't prescribe it for her either. I think she takes Prednisone now.
As much as I've been to the doctor for arthritis, no one has ever prescribed any arthritis drug for me. Only 'pain management' drugs and anti inflammatory. I take diclofenac (anti inflammatory) and while sometimes I don't think it is very good, I can really tell a difference if I don't take it.
Having a hip replacement really worked on my right hip but now have to have the left one done.

 

[maxaroni]

Same as @willowsnn3 Never given anything other than an anti inflammatory. I have been on meloxicam and same sort of thing, don't realize how much it helped until I didn't take it. I am currently 7.5 weeks post left hip replacement. Currently having knee issues and hope that it doesn't mean a replacement is in the future.

 

[willowsnn3]

@maxaroni, my right knee gave me fits a few weeks before my hip replacement. Since that surgery (4 months ago) I have had no issues with the right leg at all. Now my left knee is acting up and I'm hoping that will go away once I have that hip replaced.

 

[Tinijocaro]

Funny thing just happened-I was sitting here thinking-oh it's Sunday, I have to take my methotrexate and just as I had that thought I was looking at the Community Board and I saw your post. Strange.

I've been on MTX for almost two years for psoriatic arthritis. I tried mobic first but had bleeding issues and not much relief. I was in horrible pain, mostly in my feet. I'm 52 and felt like an old lady. MTX has been a godsend to me. I am painfree for the most part. My quality of life has dramatically improved since being on MTX. I have no side effects whatsoever but I am nervous being on a drug with so many potential future side effects. I don't think I could live without it. I used to sit on the edge of my bed in the morning and cry at the thought of stepping on the ground.

I'm hoping it lasts for me. I did have to up the dosage to the max. If this fails, I'll have to go to MTX infusions or sulphasalasine (sp?)

 

[Tinijocaro]

Here is my original post about MTX a couple years ago:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/methotrexate-anyone-psoriatic-arthriis.3275411/

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

I don't think that this drug is prescribed for osteoarthritis. It is prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis and for the erosive arthritis that I have. This only affects my hands. No problem with knees or any other joints. I can tolerate the pain if I don't take anything but this type of arthritis causes deformation of the joints and loss of function.
Tinijocaro, glad to hear that it works for you. Maybe it will work for me.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Here is my original post about MTX a couple years ago:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/methotrexate-anyone-psoriatic-arthriis.3275411/

Liver biopsy!!!! Maybe I'll rethink this.

 

[caisland]

Has anyone taken methotrexate for inflammatory arthritis?? I've tried other drugs and the only one that works is presnisone but that has serious side effects long term. I'm willing to give the methotrexate a try but I'm afraid of side effects for this drug also. I took the first dose today and feel fine. My doctor said a lot of people have nausea and vomiting after taking the drug. Thanks!

Taking MTX for RA
Started about a year ago
Did not seem to be having any effect so they add sulfasalizine and hydrochloroquine
Still no effect so I started Enbrel in November
That seems to be working
Still doing MTX 10 pills once weekly
Dropped other 2
Not seeing anything good or. As from MTX
Good luck and take care

 

[mom2grace]

Is it psoriatic arthritis? There is a new medication called Taltz that might help you. All medications have their pros and cons, but MTX has a pretty long list of cons in the long term.

 

[maxaroni]

I only known of methotrexate as it was one one of the chemo drugs my mom had. However, a friend of my moms has rheumatoid arthritis and I know she's been on lots of meds. When in that much pain, I'd imagine you grasp at straws to get relief. As I said upthread, I am 7.5 weeks post op from a hip replacement land the pre op pain was awful, could not wait for that surgery.

 

[1911]

I take mtx for psoriatic arthritis. I snuck up on the 10 a week dose.it works ok but needed something more, so now I also use 50 mg Enbrel injections in conjunction.this combo is working for me and the only side effect I have noticed is from the Enbrel.Cuts seem to take longer to heal and I got a nasty staff infection once from a minor injury.

 

[1911]

Liver biopsy!!!! Maybe I'll rethink this.

your rheumatologist should be checking your blood work regularly.I have my panel ran before each visit,so far all is good and nothing has changed from before starting the meds.

 

[auntfrannie]

I've been on methotrexate for about 10 years and have regular blood work done. No side effects yet. My psoriatic arthritis was pretty aggressive at first but with the methotrexate it's slowed down considerably. I was on Enbrel injections for a while but have been off of it for about 6 months with no signs of my arthritis getting any worse.

 

[Disney Freak Numero Uno]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I'm going to give it at least a month. I know I have to have blood work done after that interval. We'll see what happens.

 

[mrsv98]

I have psoriatic arthritis and started on methotrexate in pill form. I made me feel awful so after a time switched to injections, fewer side effects but not much relief. Moved on to Enbrel and then Humira with no joy.

I have now been on Otezla since December and it has been miraculous plus it is a pill so no more shots! Because it is so new I had to go through all the others first and my Rheumatologist really tried to avoid steroids. She also has me so regular blood work even though it isn't strictly required.

It all takes time so keep trying and you will find something that works.

 

[1911]

I have psoriatic arthritis and started on methotrexate in pill form. I made me feel awful so after a time switched to injections, fewer side effects but not much relief. Moved on to Enbrel and then Humira with no joy.

I have now been on Otezla since December and it has been miraculous plus it is a pill so no more shots! Because it is so new I had to go through all the others first and my Rheumatologist really tried to avoid steroids. She also has me so regular blood work even though it isn't strictly required.

It all takes time so keep trying and you will find something that works.

I tried otezla but it did nothing for me.it's funny how some drugs work for some but not others.

 

[MissManda]

I just started taking methotrexate last week for RA. In fact, I will take my second dose tonight. My doctor started me out at 7.5mg./week (very low dose). No side effect last week. Hoping for the same this week. Not happy about being on it, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Hoping it helps both of us!!