Life after Methotrexate

Escoufle

After taking methotrexate for 5 years, with constant remission and no flare ups - I have been very fortunate - I have now been told I can take a break from MTX and see how I get on. I was down to 7.5mg for 6 months, down from 15 then 10.

I would be interested to hear if anyone on this community has managed to stop taking MTX and stay in remission with no flare ups and for how long ?

Thank you everyone

Anna

Hi @Escoufle, that’s great news that you can take a break from meds!
There are a few posts on this thread about members who have stopped taking methotrexate that you might like to read:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/62014/ra-in-remission-has-anyone-been-told-to-stop-methotrexate

All the best, Anna ( Moderator)

Daleob

Congratulations @Escoufle that's great to hear. I am still in the early stages of my methotrexate treatment. I hope it works out for you.

debs36

nearly 60, and I have been diagnosed with prosaic arthritis and fibromyalgia, just to add to this, osteoarthritis in my knees.

I've joined the group as I'm struggling with pain control I'd love to hear people's lived experiences with methotrexate, I've been put on the meds but I'm reluctant to take them because of the side effects d I am quite susceptible to them chest infections .. any thoughts would be appreciated xx

Mojo12

Mojo12

hi iv just been diognoised with rhuemotoid arthritis im 64 and iv been on Presilone steroid for 5 weeks now the rhuemotology consultant has prescribed me methotrexate low dose to start very worried about it all out of work too struggling hope the methotrexate works so i can go back to work x

Anna

Hi @Mojo12 and also @debs36,

I just wanted to reassure you both that many of our members who take methotrexate find the side effects very manageable, and also feel so much better for being on this medication. It can take a while before it begins to take effect - up to 12 weeks.

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/734807#Comment_734807

Do let us know how you’re getting on,

Anna ( Moderator)

iwannerbeme

Hi @Escoufle and congratulations for becoming drug free.

My neighbour had RA for 6 years and then became drug free, she is still ok after 7 years. No flare ups. It was lovely to hear her story after I got diagnosed last September, it gave me hope and reasurreence about taking MTX. I was also talking to someone this week who has been off MTX for a few years now. She was apparently very ill with RA orignally. Ive been on MTX since September, I had to stop taking it for 3 weeks back then for shingles vaccine and again more recently for another 3 weeks for an infection. No flare up. I didnt take steroids. According to my consultant Ive gone into clinical and biochemical remission. He wants me to stay on my current dose for 6 months and then review. I was disappointed I was hoping I could come off it but he wants to make sure I am stable for a few months before altering the dose, which makes sense and i can accept. I am hopeful I will be joining you drug free at some point. Im preparing that I may get another episode at some point and hoping that i wont. RA is a lifelong condition. I am 64 years old, its great that we have these drugs as the damage without them is considerable. I really thought I was going to end up in a wheel chair within the year at one point and now I am back to my active old self but at the same time the less I have to take them the better.

Good Luck and again many congratualtions