methotrexate

[maryanne1969]

I have had moderate to severe RA for 5 years. Take Enbrel once a week and am supposed to take 5mg. injectible of methotrexate weekly. I had gone without the methotrexate for at least six months and have not noticed any difference at all. I am scared to death of the methotrexate. Can anyone explain why  my doctor wants me to continue it if it does not seem to make a difference? I do great on the Enbrel by itself, but am sure there are reasons, I just don't understand!

[Mandagirls]

I was diagnosed with RA in 1992 and took numerous medications of which none really helped. I had also taken oral Mtx. My doctor told me I would probably be in a wheelchair in 5 years if there was not a medication that started to work for me. I was only 42 at the time and the thought of that was mindboggleing!  Enbrel was introduced in 1998 and by the time my insurance agreed to pay for it it was Spring 1999 when I took my first injection. I started Enbrel along with an injectible dose of.09 Mtx weekly. For me Enbrel was a light-switch medication and within 2 weeks I  was a normal functioning adult again with no pain at all. My only real complaint is that my hair has become substantially thinner and I am considering stopping the Mtx to see if there is an improvement. Over the 22 years I have had this disease I have learned that Mtx is a bigger health risk than Enbrel. There are so other negatives to taking Mtx whether by itself or in combination with Enbrel. I wish you the best with your RA and would like to hear from you about how things are going for you.

[34tamara]

Hi I also took mex. It  did nothing for me for two years but with the combo of it with the embrel it made a huge difference.  Why the two combined so well but separate did nothing I'm not sure.  I was on steroids strong viccodine n nothing but now off all except for my combo n have been doing lower doses.  Give it a chance theses tend to be slower working to get in your system

[TrudieC]

how long did you actually take the methotrexate?