Methotrexate

[MarianneG]

Hi everyone ...

I am 27 years old and have been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis. My mother has it as well and has had it for most of her life.

My question is this: Is methotrexate worth it?

My mother was on methotrexate for quite a long period, but eventually decided that she'd rather take herself off the treatment because of how badly it was affecting her. She was a teacher and had to take the methotrexate over weekends because it made her so nautious and fatigued. She is an on the go person and didn't tolerate "being out of action" very well, so she opted to rather go for high doses of cortizone (which of course has serious long term consequences). Today she is having serious problems with her immune system failing, as well as her heart and kidneys. She is hospitalised about once every 6 months with some new viral or bacterial infection - This all because of the cortizone.

I, fortunately, am not having severe symptoms yet, but my rheumatologist keeps referring to how wonderful methotrexate is and that will be our next course of action should my symptoms progress. I don't know how I feel about this. Do I go for a good few years of good life and then suffer in the end. Or do I suffer weekly, but remain mobile for so much longer?

Are any of you on methotrexate and how are you feeling. I would appreciate your feedback and insight.

Thank you
Marianne

[carolanivey]

Hi Shae, how long ago were those shots? Have you had follow-up blood work to check your liver enzymes?

Whether a mtx patient can drink or not depends on how your body reacts to the medication. Some patients can safely consume 1 drink a week, others can't drink at all. Your liver, kidneys, etc. should be monitored with regular blood tests as long as you're on the medication.

This sounds like a question for your physician.

[shae0]

I was given two shots of methotrexate after  surgery of an ectopic pregnancy. How long does it take for the medicine to get out of my system so that I am able to have a drink

[moorebr5]

I am on Methotrexate via injection that I give myself every week.  It's working great. For years I had pleuirsy and pericarditis from  my inflammatory arthritis.  During that time i took plaquinil but still had break thru episodes.  Now I haven't had any in over a year!  I also take doxycycline and celebrex.  Hope this helps dear.

[txsilver]

Your question is a good one but is one only you can answer.  You have to weigh all the ways RA effects your life and all the possible side effects of the medication and then decide which one out weighs the other.  Hopefully you will respond to your current therapy, not have any progression in your condition and be able to avoid it.  For those of us who can't, well, we have to decide.  I can say that my perspective was that I would take increased quality and a possible shorter duration.  I hope you never have to make that choice.