Methotrexate...when does it start working??

robertls

Been on MTX for 7 weeks now.............10mg oral
I seem to have had all the negative reactions to it..........
When can I expect to feel the benefits??

Its so depressing knowing I'm poisoning my body...... for as yet, no improvement.

Rob x

skezier

Hi Rob,

Don't know for sure cus I ain't n it but cus I think I may be getting an add in I have read up on it and it takes around 12 weeks I think. Keep trying it cus when it works it can work really well. Take care Cris x

lindalegs

Stick with it Rob, I felt the results quite early but it's usually after 12 weeks of taking it - Cris is right.

Luv Legs

jackie1955

Hi,
I've been on it since about May, 15mg recently increased to 20mg.

On the positive side, I'm not getting any worse since I've been on it, and not quite so tired as I was. But I had hoped the pain and swellings would lessen, I'm afraid that doesn't seem to have happened. Still have to take 2 diclofenac a day to control the pain.

However, I'm willing to give it longer in the hope the recent increase will show some improvement.

For some it seems to work quickly, others take longer, and others have to have other meds included too.

Jackie x

robertls

I also take 4 dihydrocodeine and 4 ibruprofen each day as well.
The whole bl**dy this is 'doing my head in'.

Rob x

joyful164

lindalegs wrote:

Stick with it Rob, I felt the results quite early but it's usually after 12 weeks of taking it - Cris is right.

Luv Legs

It was about 12 - 15 weeks for me. It's only a small amount Rob when you start feeling a bit better you will change your thoughts, better than being all screwed up in a wheelchair. My rheumy consultant gave me a steroid injection at the beginning of the MTX to give it a kick start.

joy

robertls

I was also given steroid jab.......it wore off 2 weeks ago

Rob x

jordan7j

Hi Rob, I have been taking MXT since 10th July, not done anything so far. Had 2 steroid injection too, they did nothing. Am on 12.5 mg , with tramadol 100mg x 4 and ibuprofen 400mg x 4 p-lus paracetemol 500mg x 4. Am hoping something will work, also trying TENS as permanantly in pain with feet and hands. Have another injection due, wouldnt do it last week as too early from last one on 4.9. so will ring them tomorrow to get it done. Still working so dont get much time either, but they dont understand that part of it. I know exactly how you feel, they usually increase the dose slow
ly if nothing happens, mine went up frlom 10mg 2 weeks ago. Good luck Jay

tkachev

It usually takes about 12 weeks although I think it was much quicker for me.You might be advised to up your dose.I started on 10mg I think but it was increased in small doses until I got to 22.5mg.This helped me but eventually even that was not enough and I was given Humira to go with the MTX.Your Rheummy is monitoring it through your blood tests.
Good luck,hope it kicks in soon

Tkachev

debsmartin

Hi Rob

I've been on mtx for over a year now, it did take about 12 weeks for me to feel the benefit but I was also having steroid injections to help. Now that the mtx is working I don't need to the injections. My doctors has also added in leflunomide which I have been taking for 6 months now and at the moment I'm feeling quite lucky as they seems to be controlling my pain very well apart from the odd flare ups, so hang on in there as I really do think mtx helps.

debs

janie68

Hi,

Sounds as though you may need an increase after the '12 weeks'.

It doesn't work for me, found it didn't help at all so you could be one of the unfortynate ones. Rheumy will say wait 12 weeks.

Do you have another appt to see them?

Janie