Methotrexate - how long does it take to work?

gemz10
gemz10 Member Posts: 42
edited 16. Jan 2011, 18:12 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hey guys

Just after some advice please. I was diagnosed with RA in october and have been taking methotrexate for 13 weeks now. I still have inflamation and sometimes pain/discomfort walking. The rummy consultant said i have no joint damage and hopes that this medication will get rid of inflamation, allowing me to regain mobility and dexterity and even said the idea is to hit this hard which could even send RA into remission.

I go back in feb 4mths after diagnosis - conulatant said it would be 3mths (rummy nurse said she would have seen me in 2 - not sure it was professional of her to have said that even though she was lovely) dont know if im expecting too much but meth does not seem to have done much yet! also concerned that i will get joint damage from prolonged inflamation but guess this takes years not mths so should be ok.

Sorry to moan but just wondering how have others got on with this drug, and how long did it take to show results? Gem

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi gemz10, I think this is one of the 'how long is a piece of string' questions! The standard answer is between 2-12 weeks, but that could also dependant upon the dosage level and one's reaction to the medication. What dose are you taking? I have a particularly low opinion of meth, but for some people it is very effective and I hope you find yourself in that group - you stand a good chance of that as you have been diagnosed and treated quickly. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Janny
    Janny Member Posts: 6
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Gemz10

    I think most people would say 12 weeks as this is when they would up the dose of your treatment if you need it. I have been on Methotrexate for about 18 mnths and when diagnosed I have minimal syptoms, mainly the balls of my feet, stiff fingers, and really really really really tired! The only symptom I have now is the pain in the balls of my feet which doesn't seem to want to go away but other than that I feel ok most of the time. I think I saw a real result after about 3 months.

    Hope this helps.

    Janny
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,337
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Gem

    As DD says ' how long is a peice of string'....

    you don't say what does you are on? maybe it needs to be altered? they can also add extra meds to your mix which can help.

    Feb is not too far away now and I hope they sort you out :smile:

    LOve

    Toni xx
  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi gemz10

    I cant answer your question sorry but do hope that you get some answers when you go back to the rhummy peeps.
    take care in the meantime
    juliepfx
  • tillytop
    tillytop Member Posts: 3,460
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello Gem

    As the others have said this is not an easy question to answer. The effective dose varies person to person - for some it works really well, for others not at all and for many (like me) it definitely helps, but needs other meds in the mix as well.

    I started taking methotrexate for the second time just over three months ago and I felt as if it was starting to help after about 6 weeks (I was taking 10mg weekly then). I am now about to increase to 17.5 mg per week but it is difficult to know just how much the meth is doing because I am taking a reasonable dose of steroids as well.

    What dose are you taking at the moment? Have you been increasing at all over the past months?

    Love Tilly xxx
  • williamlargs
    williamlargs Member Posts: 143
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    3 months for me and now anti inflams and pain killer free. Stick with it. I was taking 3 diclofenic and 8 paracetomol a day as well as my meth.

    Doesn't work for everyone though
  • jacqmun
    jacqmun Member Posts: 65
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi :smile: I am really new to these forums but I just wanted to say that I was on Methotrexate 15mg sub-cut and it did nothing for me except adverse side effects!!
    Am having a break from trying new medication at the moment but am continuing with steroids.
    Having said that I have met lots of patients at my clinic who have had a roaring success with Methotrexate!!!
    Regards
    Jacqui
    When it rains, look for rainbows. When it's dark, look for stars
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi gemz10, I hope things are picking up a little for you now. I assumed you are on the tablets: like jacqmun I am on the injected form. (sub-cut = sub-cutaneously). One has a smaller dose on the injections as the liquid tends to have a little more oomph than the tablet form. I think in my case the meth is helping the humira to work: it has always been useless on its own, but has never troubled me with side effects. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stlucia
    stlucia Member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, I started taking it about 10 years ago so I can't remember how long it took to get going, quite a while I think, but I have to say that it was very effective so persevere.

    x
  • gemz10
    gemz10 Member Posts: 42
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Sorry I have taken so long to thank you all for your responses!

    All help is much appreciated :-) I am taking 25mg tablet form and am sure it is helping but not as much as i thought. To be fair I have many late night studying (hence my absence and slow response) and the lack of sleep probably does not help.

    Just lately my neck and jaw ache and it seems to be worse when it gets late. Hard to tell if neck problems are from poor study position or RA.

    I look forward to my appointment and will let u all know how I get on.

    xx

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