Can anyone tell me if these meds are taken for a short duration? Or if these meds are taken forever? Havent found any info on duration while researching Dx and RXs. Dont see rheumy til Nov. Thanks Pam

I don't know for sure...but I know that I am on the Methotrexate and it takes anywhere from 8-12 weeks just to see results from it (assuming you get them that is). From various articles I have read Plaq can take up to 3-4 months. One must plan to be on either of these drugs for awhile, intially because it takes a while to feel the results from them.

I don't know how long you are to take them other than many years to maybe longer than that. I have been told once they get the RA under control and figure out a medicine combo that works years down the road they might lower the dose....but then again I believe it is up to the doctor and the patient.

It is a good question though.....I do know that I talked to my doctor about what I want to do when I have more kids (which is years down the road) and all of that with the medicines and he told me some of my options and what patients are doing now days. I know from reading posts some people have been on these drugs 5-10 years.

I don't know if that answered your question. Good luck!

Sorry it has taken so long. But thanks for your reply. I have read about some that talk about 5-10 years. But i was just hoping that it would be something that can take control and maybe not having to be dependent on it for ever....

My parents know of a man who has been on Methotrexate for 30 years. He has had no joint damage, no serious side effects. I don't know if that helps or not but I thought you might be interested to hear that.

I've just started on my first dose of Metho, so I can still remember what the rheumy said when I asked that question. :-)
He said that he gives it to RA patients as a life-long regime. He was very upbeat about it - says his patients rarely have any problems with it and he has patients who have been on it for 20 years with no problem. Monitoring liver enzymes takes care of that.
With PA, which is what I've got, they give Metho for a long time, and if you go into remission for a reasonable length of time ( sorry, don't know what that is), they would try to take me off it.

My mother was on both for 4 years; they just recently stopped giving her the plaquenil but she still takes the metho. They are hoping that she's in remission and can either discontinue the metho or lower it (along with the prednisone) - she has had problems from the Metho with her bowels.

Nat

Montui, thank you so much for your post. Did he have you taking meth. alone or do you have to take other meds? I was dxd with AS and poss. IBD. I have to decide, out of 5 other meds which one i need to take with plaquenil. Please keep us informed. I am really interested and any and all. I hope everything goes well for you.

Gopherhead, thank you for your reply. Sounds like your mom is doing good and things are looking up for her. The only side effect was her bowels? I wish her well and hurray to REMISSION...BTW Gopherhead, Isaw where you are having thyroid problems! I might have to jump over there and ask some ?'s Thanks

Montui, thank you so much for your post. Did he have you taking meth. alone or do you have to take other meds? I was dxd with AS and poss. IBD. I have to decide, out of 5 other meds which one i need to take with plaquenil. Please keep us informed. I am really interested and any and all. I hope everything goes well for you.

Hi Countrygal

Thanks for your kind words. :-)

I'm on Methotrexate, plus Arcoxia ( newer version of the dreaded Vioxx) to control the inflammation. I'm hoping the Metho will be effective enough that I can come off the Arcoxia. Since the problems with Vioxx seem to crop up after 18 months continuous use, I hope to have an alternative after a year's use ( or less of course!). I don't know whether it is the warmer weather coming on now or an increased dose of Metho, but I'm pretty good at the moment. My only worry is increased liver enzymes, which means I have to reduce the Metho dose. But no other drug has done me any good, so I'm banking on the Metho doing the trick.

Montui, glad your going ok. I had my 2nd rhuemy appt. I just started plaquenil, this is my 2nd day. I sure hope this will work for me. I have to take it for 3 months and go back for check up and then i will start the metho. I asked the ? of how long and the doc said until it was gone . Gee she was so positive. LOL I sure hope we both have good turn outs with our drugs. Keep me posted on how your doing.