RA Newbie, advice on Methotrexate

Tia1723

Hi, Tia here, I am recently diagnosed with RA and about to start oral methotrexate. My doc has prescribed me 10 mg starting dose along with folic acid on all days, except Meth day. I have read horrifying stories about side effects of this drug. Any ideas or tips on how to cope up with Meth?

This is my first post, so please be gentle, guys.

Love, Tia.

LignumVitae

Hi Tia,

We're always gentle! Welcome but I'm sorry you had to find us.

I'm on meth and have been for 7 years. I know there are lots of horror stories about the side effects but the worst I've ever had was some hair loss which was solved by increasing the folic acid and mouth ulcers, also reduced with increasing the folic acid. I think generally, if it is working people tend not to take the time to post about it, if it isn't working then people post about it so if you google it then you will end up quite scared. There are lots of us using it on here. It's important to remember to have regular blood tests to monitor what it is doing and to see a doctor or call your rheumatology helpline if you are unsure about something such as a sore throat. Most people miss a dose if they have a cold because it does make battling bugs harder and you must get your flu jab. Meth revolutionised me for quite a while, I'm struggling now but I had seven good years with it. I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.

LV

stickywicket

Tia, it's natural to be worried about taking these meds. Even us old hands get a bit anxious when faced with a new one. BUT, as LV has just said, those for whom it's working well are unlikely to turn up to complain. They are just living their lives happily

I've been on a combination of meth and hydroxychloroquine for over 14 years and they've worked brilliantly for me. Like LV, I'm careful to have my blood tests (as they will pick up potential problems before they fully materialise) and my annual flu jab (had it last week) and I do try to avoid people with colds as much as I can. It stands to reason that, if these meds work by lowering our overactive immune systems, we need to be extra vigilant about infections. (I do a lot of anti-bac wipes and hygiene gels too.)

The 'horrifying stories' you've read might well be by people taking meth for cancer. It's one of those multi-purpose drugs but cancer patients take it in far, far higher doses than us. I started at 17.5 mgs, went up to 22.5mgs and have now been on 15mgs for years. It works Good luck!

theresak

Hi there and welcome! I can understand you worrying about the MTX giving you side effects - it's a very natural reaction. With all the RA meds there seem to be a whole raft of possible side effects. The key word there is 'possible,' as not everyone suffers. I used to get some nausea with MTX, which I overcame by taking it with my evening meal, and sleeping off any nausea overnight. It also had an effect on my taste buds - I love garlic, but couldn't face it when I first started the meth.

Good luck with it,

Tezz x

dreamdaisy

I am on injected meth and have been for a few years now. I began with the tablets but developed a rash so they were stopped. I always feel OK when I do it but very occasionally I may get a tired day a couple of days after the dose. I was also told by my hospital to stop it (and my other immune-suppressant drug) if I have a sore throat and I do.

I am a very old hand at taking medical drugs - I check the side effects leaflet once for a new med then put it away and forget about it. I always blithely assume that side-effects won't be a bother but if something happens which I cannot relate to a bug or whatever then I would check through them to find a culprit. So far so good! DD

trepolpen

hi Tia , welcome to the forum , very pleased your consultant has giving you 6 folic acid a week , it should sort out the side effects from Meth , been on Meth since 1998 & dont have any problems with so dont worry

Tia1723

Thanks you all for your wonderful words.
LV : my rheumy has already given me schedule for blood check up, thanks dear.
Tezz : I was totally unaware about change in taste bud. I will keep a watch for that if I experience the same 8) .
Thanks for note on sore throat, DD. I just read that even NHS advice to notify your doc at earliest, if you observe mouth ulcers or sore throat/mouth . I will keep in mind.
Thank you all for positive inputs. Hope Meth does wonders for me.

Love,Tia.

dreamdaisy

Notify which doctor? :? I never bother alerting my GP because she doesn't prescribe any of my meds for the PsA and only tell rheumatology if I have to go on to antibiotics which means I may be off the meds for longer than a week. We do have to be vigilant for the following reason: because our immune system is suppressed it takes us longer to produce symptoms of an infection which means it could be well-entrenched by the time we do. I have a sore throat floating around this week so am already considering what to do come tomorrow: I suspect I will skip a week but I am an old hand at this and have enough experience to tinker as I see fit. My doctors trust me and I trust them. DD

PS In my early days I was on fortnightly bloods for years, I hope this won't be the case for you!