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Methotrexate

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 5/6/2020 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am new to the RA community, my doctor just prescribed Methotrexate and I am scared to death to take it!
Any advise would be appreciated.
Posted 5/21/2020 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cross2020, I have been taking it for years. I would not be too worried about this, it is one of the most commonly prescribed medications for RA. If you take it in pill form it may cause some stomach upset and fatigue the next day or two after. It definitely helps me and my dad took it for decades for the same reason.
The drug manufacturers really have to cover their behinds on these meds so often the side effect list is long and scary. Just pay attention for side effects and report your concerns to your doctor. I would much rather take this than the biologics on the market made from animal and sometimes fetal tissues that they don't bother to mention.
Posted 5/25/2020 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cross2020. I'm in the same boat as you. I was diagnosed this past Friday as having RA. My RA doctor prescribed Folic Acid, Prednisone and Methotrexate. I was terrified to take the Methotrexate after a lot of research online about the medicine, it's considered to be Chemo!!! I plucked up my courage and took 15mg yesterday... so far so good!
Posted 5/25/2020 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
A few different meds are chemo drugs but in far lower dosages than for cancer. Another thing to consider with a lot of these meds is that the list of side effects commonly include things we who have been diagnosed with RA are already predisposed towards.
I'd be more cautious with Prednisone than Methotrexate as many here have had experience with. If you ever take it long term it can be real hard to wean off of. I was on it for a year and thought I would never get off of it because the flare ups were horrible each time I stepped down the dose.
I hope it helps, give it time because it can take a few months to really work. If the stomach upset is too much you can also take it as an injection which does help.
Posted 5/26/2020 1:59 PM (GMT 0)
I'm taking Prednisone for two weeks, 20mg daily for the first week and 10mg daily for the second week. This whole ordeal has been difficult, it came out of nowhere! I'm so appreciative this forum is here, it helps to converse with people who understand.
Posted 5/27/2020 4:17 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome to H.W., Cross2020 and Deb G.

Most of us have felt the same way when starting a new drug and reading the side effects. Fortunately, most of these side effects don't happen. I did get thinning hair from Methotrexate after some time. I was on it for many years. As mentioned, Folic Acid helps to cancel many side effects or at least lessen some.

Post Edited (msOuchie) : 5/26/2020 10:27:27 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/27/2020 7:22 AM (GMT 0)
Deb, I hope that the methotrexate and prednisone helps. Many of us here have taken these, some for extended periods of time. In most cases taking prednisone for a few weeks has helped with stubborn or extreme flare ups at least in my case and I have it on hand for those occasions. I would just be cautious of taking it for a prolonged period of time. In some cases we have little alternative and in that case we must do what we have to. It is known to some of us as the devils tic tacs for a reason. It works but there is usually a cost associated with it. For me the side effects made up for any help it gives.
Fortunately, there are many here who have been on most of the medications available these days to give their experiences and help with advice etc. Again, hope you are feeling better soon.
Posted 11/2/2020 1:14 PM (GMT 0)
I was terribly scared to take it too. Methotrexate is considered "the gold standard" for RA care. It has been around for over 35 years. I have been taking it for a few months and I am definitely feeling better. Because I was on a different med (Plaquenil) that elevated my liver enzymes, my doctor is having me go for twice per month bloodwork, but so far so good on the Methotrexate. I take it with folic acid and have had ZERO side effects.
Posted 11/12/2020 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cross2020,

I have taken Methotrexate since I was first diagnosed 10 years ago. I am now in my late twenties and it has definitely helped my symptoms to die down a little bit. I have to pair it with a biologic (I am currently taking Orencia), but it worked well on its own for a year or so in the beginning when my RA wasn't as bad. At first I would get small ulcers inside my cheeks, but that died down the longer I was on Methotrexate. I also experience nausea from time to time, but only slightly. Getting the injections instead of the pills have helped tremendously, in terms of nausea. I barely get nauseous now, and I don't have any other side effects.

I hope that it works out for you. I know it has definitely been helping me all this time.
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