START METHOTREXATE NEXT WEEK - HELP! - Arthritis Message Board

Tracki · 06-30-2003, 02:53 PM

Hi there!

Have just been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and start on MTX next week. Scared - read too much about it? Is there anyone with good views on this treatment? I have had psoriasis for 29 years (I'm 36) and have been told it may clear it (this would be wonderful)? Is there anyone who has experience of Psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis on MTX?

I have visions of taking the tablet and feeling really ill most of the time. (starting on 2.5mg!) - have I read too many bad things!!??

margsone · 06-30-2003, 04:42 PM

I take 10mg of mtx once a week for my arthritis. It has me in remission. I have Reactive Arthritis. 2.5mg is a tiny, tiny dose. Do you take it daily or once a week? It's a good drug when handled appropriately. I did not notice any side effects at all. Again, how often do you take it?

Dawnrise · 07-01-2003, 03:24 AM

I was taking 5 - 2.5mg (once a week) for a few years. It was a god-send in the beginning. I had no side effects from it. But like everything else I started to become immune to it and I also thought it was the cause of my hair falling out since it is a chemo drug. So I had the doctor take me off it. I then went on Imuran which wasn't as good. I didn't feel the rheumatologist was helping like I thought he could so I went to another doctor who started me on Enbrel injections. This seems to be going well. (By the way, after a few months of being off methotrexate I believe my hair loss is/was due to hormonal changes). Also, metho will deplete your folic acid so your doctor probably has prescribed this also, right?

Bumpy · 07-05-2003, 04:55 PM

I am a 28yr old female with psoriatic arthritis..
I take meth (20mg by injection once a week)...and I swear by it.... I was taking it in pill form and found that the pills often made me feel sick so my rheumatologist switched me to the injections..... I go for bloodwork once a month to make sure there is no ill effects...and have been on this med for 2 1/2 years with no problems...... Good luck... I hope it helps you as much as its helped me.....

megpat · 07-23-2003, 06:11 PM

I am 36 and recently diagnosed with RA. I was on mtx at first and my tongue swelled and tingled. That is with 7.5 mg. So my rheumy took me off and put me on plaquinil. I also understand that mtx is a more aggressive treatment, meaning it takes shorter to work than plaquinil. I understand that everyone has different reactions to medications and you have to find the right "cocktail" for you. Good luck. I hope it works for you.