Comments on: Do You Take Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis?

By: Mr. C.

Mr. C. — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:34:26 +0000

I figure I will take as much of whatever works as I can tolerate and the doc will perscribe. At first I didn’t think my jump from 15mg to 20mg did anything but after a month I think it did help. I will feel like what I am doing is working when I stop adding joints to the count, actual remission would be wonderful but stopping the progression is my first goal.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:42:14 +0000

Conventional wisdom w/it is the more the better – up to what u can tolerate. But some are now backing off to 20 as a max saying that 25 is no better than 20. If you have it in every joint & flares just trade around how bad they are, it can be hard to tell. Good for you to try to hit as hard as you can.

By: Mr. C.

Mr. C. — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 14:13:19 +0000

Hi Kelly. I’m still taking pills, actually went to 22.5mgs this past week, will go to the full 25mg this week. Apparently I have an iron stomach, prilosec daily and enough folic acid. My RD would have stopped at 15mg’s (he said that is the max he usually perscribes) of MTX but I chose upping it to 20mg’s the first appointment I was offered biologics.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:48:54 +0000

Thanks Mr. C. Is your 25 mg still by pills then? My had put me on injections when I got to 25, saying it would be necessary. I’m glad you get some benefit from it. I’ve met just a few people who take 30 – but most drs wont.

By: Mr. C.

Mr. C. — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 12:35:50 +0000

The information on this site is what helped me to take the MTX after reading all of the side effects on the packaging and scaring the whits out of myself. I started at 7.5mg a week, first two weeks left me totally exhausted. Since then, as long as I eat a good dinner drink a couple glasses of milk and then pop the pills I have had no problems. I have also been on 1mg of prescription folic acid per day since the week before I took my first dose of MTX. After 7 months I am now up to 25mgs a week because the Enbrel still isn’t helping after almost 3 months and I continue to add new joints to the mix. I can feel the difference 2 days after my weekly dose of MTX with the effect wearing off as each day passes and thankfully I still have no real side effects.

By: Keitra

Keitra — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 00:08:42 +0000

I have been on MXT for about 2 months now with no side affects! Last week my Dr. increased my dose from 6 tablets weekly to 8 tablets and boy oh boy! I have not been able to get out of bed for 2 days. Thank you so much Kelly for your advise. I am going to call my Dr to see if my folic acid can be increased or maybe I can split my dose.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 20:04:20 +0000

Hi Judy! Thanks for letting me know. Good luck with your treatment! Being diagnosed with mild RA over age 55, there is a good chance it will stay mild. Especially since you are starting aggressive treatment to get it controlled.
I hope you wont have any side effects on the low mtx starting dose. Many people don’t – you can eat a good supper something usually agrees with you and take it before bedtime. If you’re worried, you can also take some anti-nausea medicine (whatever usually works for you) just in case. You can also arm yourself with some peppermint or ginger tea or ginger ale. There are some other things on the list on the Mtx & RA pages on the menu.

By: Judy B.

Judy B. — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:44:08 +0000

I am 58 and was diagnosed with mild RA last month (minimal pain/stiffness in my hands/wrists). Reading this fantastic website (Kelly you are amazing!)has reassured me enough to try my first dose of MTX next week.

Since I’m very active on the weekends, and I work full time, I’m wondering if Wednesdays would be the best choice for date of dosage. I have a sensitive stomach so I trying to prepare in advance for the nausea-related side effects I might experience.

By: Nancy Cook

Nancy Cook — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:37:27 +0000

I have been diagnosed with RA in the last year. I have been on Methotrexate for the last 8 months. I had to switch from the pills to the injections due to nausea and digestive side effects. I am now up to the maximum dose of MTX. I am also on 10 mg of prednisone daily. Now my doctor is suggesting adding Enbrel or Orencia. I’m so confused about what to do. I don’t really know what to expect. My pain varies daily but is always there. How do you know when to endure the pain vs the side effects of the medicine. I really need help in knowing what to expect and what to do. Kelly you are such an encouragement. It’s so helpful to have someone share what they are going through so we are not alone in this. So thank you.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:32:51 +0000

Hi everyone, so interesting reading all your stories.

I was diagnosed with RA in 1994 when I was 2 years old. I’ve always suffered from it however, when I turned 16 it began to spread and after a few successful steroid injections, my consultant decided that Methotrexate was probably the best treatment for me at that time.

I think I’ve been on it for 2 or so years now, it worked really well at the beginning, other than the side effects it has changed my life dramatically. However, these past few months I’ve noticed an increased amount of pain and it’s worrying me as to what’s going to happen next. I’m a student nurse and it makes my time at placement annoying if I can’t work to the best of my potential.