Metho

jzm8bl
jzm8bl Member Posts: 3
edited 5. Jun 2010, 18:59 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hey,

I've been reading through the posts about Metho and now feel I understand the side effects and how people cope with them (ginger sounds like a life saver). But just wondering if people found it actually made a huge difference to how they felt and could do things. Just a bit unsure about the whole thing really. Any experiences would be appriciated as unsure with all the risks and side effects if it is worth it.

Thanks

Blanche

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Docs love it because it's cheap. It works for some, not others. I'm in the latter camp. It has never brought any relief, either on its own or in support of other meds. I feel no different when I miss doses due to ill health. I often wonder if it doesn't work because I do not have any side effects. I began it when my arthritis was in just one joint. Now, years later, I'm still taking it and the arthritis isn't in my hips or spine, just everywhere else.

    Yeah, it's very effective (is it b******s).

    I hope you are one of the lucky ones. We can't tell you whether to take it or not, and you won't know whether it works or not until you try. Personally? I would welcome 24 hours or more of vomiting and nausea because a) I might shift some weight (frivolous) and b) if that was the cost of walking without crutches and feeling less pain then BRING IT ON. Dreamdaisy
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,397
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Blanche,

    Welcome to posting :D

    I've been on Mtx tablets for 2 years now. I suffered the side effects of vomiting etc but got anti-metics (which I didn' need for long) from my GP and the side effects settled down and then went completely.

    I responded to Mtx very quickly (within a couple of weeks) and now get no morning stiffness and the pain has almost gone. I still get the odd bad day but I know now this is just a blip. I've had an aggressive strain of RA for 24 years and have alot of joint deformities and mechanical problems but these last two years have been great which, I'm sure, is the result of Mtx.

    Mtx should also slow down the progression the the disease and therefore joint abnormalities may be avoided.

    Hope this helps.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    There! One anti and one pro. That sums it up beautifully. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • tinkerbell3
    tinkerbell3 Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was on MTX for about 16 months first the tablets and then the injections. I was really worried about starting it because I had heard several horror stories.
    Unfortunately I got side effects with the tabs in that I was sick a lot. Went on to injections because tabs not working (ESR & CRP still high). Injections were no better and the cocktail of anti-sickness pills, stopped my from being sick but not from heaving!!
    After 16 months Rheumy said it hadn't done any good at all. Now started on Leflonomide(?)
    Glad I tried it but it didn't work for me. Just know that if you do get side effects that you can't cope with you can stop at any time.
    Goodluck with what ever you decide.

    Tink
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Blanche,

    I think I am another pro :wink: I haven't been on it too long as I had a reaction to the sulfa and was on that for 9 months.... or me the mtx is a breeze after what that did to me... See we are all different an the only real way is to try it and see....

    I didn't read the side effects on the label cus my eyes were bad but I know what it has done... its got hold of my crohn's and eyes and bones are responding. The bones were always going to be a bit slower :roll: Awkward little sods eh? :lol: Mine was started at 10, then upped to 12.5 and now upped to 15 and I have escape the worse side effects so far..... I know this its a drug that does suit me and its got 2 of my conditions to heel and the bones are almost there so .....

    Good luck, nice to meet you and let us know how it goes. Cris x

    Hi Tink,

    Nice to meet you as well. x
  • chrissie691
    chrissie691 Member Posts: 50
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I've just taken a 2nd dose of MTX 10mg and obviously I cannot see any benefits just yet but I know it takes 3-12 wks to kick in. I feel nauseous for about 24 hours, I haven't been sick and the side-effects are bearable at the moment. I'm hoping it will make a difference in the end.

    Chrissie xxx
  • jzm8bl
    jzm8bl Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks for the messages is really nice to hear views, and support, from people who are on it instead of just hearing the views of a doctor who has no idea really. So unfair that most conditions one thing works for 99% of people when with arthritis everyone's different.

    Thanks guys

    Blanche
  • marion1952
    marion1952 Member Posts: 963
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Blanche

    Sorry - have only just seen your message.

    Methotrexate has been really good for me.. I started on tablets when I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago but switched to injections about 18 months ago and now self-inject 15 mg weekly on Wednesday evenings just before I go to bed. I just take one tablet of folic acid 3 days afterwards.

    My RA came on very suddently and dramatically and affected most of my joints - I couldn't walk or use my hands or even move my head one time - so methotrexate has been a godsend for me - but it did take about 6 months to really feel the full benefit of it.

    Best wishes

    Marion