I started on methotrexate two months ago for RA. I've had RA for almost 15 years but been in remission for twelve, babies are good for that. I'm 50 now so we won't be trying that route again. Anyway, first two weeks, 15mg by mouth, I was exhausted for four days after. By third week I felt great, I mean GREAT. The rhuem. doc's office calls and says I am anemic and must see family doc asap. My hemoglobin is 10.2, hematocrit is 33.2, iron is 21, saturation % 5, and ferritin is 3, all very low. But I felt great. I haven't felt this good in years. I start Niferex 150. Within a day I was exhausted and starving. Within three days I am exhausted, starving and I hurt in more places than ever before. I have tried Niferex Forte and plain ferrous sulphate, they all make me tired and my body aches. But I start feeling better within days of stoping the iron. I have now quit taking iron except the 18mg of ferous fumarate in my multivitamin and the family doc says to eat iron rich foods. My hemoglobin is down to 9.55. I have now added 100mg B-6, 500mcg B-12 and 800mcg folic acid in addition to my multivitamin.
Anybody else have this problem with methotrexate? And what is the abbreviation for methotrexate? Thanks.

My Dr told me anemia is very common with RA. I do not know if it is a side effect of MTX. Cindy

Thanks Cindy,
I knew about anemia and RA but this didn't start until I went on MTX, then it happened fast. I gave blood at the Red Cross 3 weeks before starting MTX and I was fine then. Before starting MTX my HGB was a little low, 11.9(should be between 12.0 & 16), two weeks later it was 10.2. But what ticks me off is the RA dr. sends me to the family dr. who at first makes a big deal about it and five weeks later, when I won't stay on the iron pills, says "try to eat more iron rich foods". The RA dr. acts like the aniema is something he has never seen and if I have it then it must be caused by something else not the RA. I know anemia can be serious so at what point do I get concerned? Thanks, Bobbie

The Rhum that I had (she recently died in a car accident) monitored it but did not worry about it. She did have me take iron pills which really helps with fatigue. She just said it is expected with RA. Try eating before taking iron pills and take them before bed. The side effects from taking them tend to go away over time. Good luck. Cindy