Some have a really hard time tolerating the pills and opt for the injectables.  That might sound hard to do but when weighed all together it's amazing what you can get used to.  May find needles versus pens easier to do or at least less painful.

As for the longer term effects, your Rheumy will order blood tests to insure you don't have any reaction with your liver or kidneys.  My first recheck of the bloodwork is schedule for 2-3 weeks after starting the MTX.  Then after that your blood should be checked periodically to insure your liver enzymes stay OK.  Regarding side effects you really have to way the risks versus benefits.  DMARDs and Biologic DMARDs are really necessary if you want to stem the progression and destruction of the joints this disease can cause.  If you're just treating your RA with NSAIDs or Corticosteroids, you're just treating the inflammation.  If you have an aggressive sort of RA and don't treat it accordingly you risk a life of debilitating disability.  The stats I read are that unchecked, better than 50% of people with RA can no longer work after 5-10 years.  That's pretty serious stuff.  Still it's your decision.  Get the facts.  Read the Rheumatoid Arthritis - (RA Connect) part of these forums.  There are a ton of people there waiting to help.  Just feel free to ask whatever comes to your mind.  You're not the first to think of it.  Let those better experienced help you with this journey.

Best of luck and I pray you find the right direction in your journey towards relief and hopefully remission.

Bob

 

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"You're as happy as you make your mind up to be."  - Abraham Lincoln

I am not newly diagnosed, but I do take MXT. I take 20mgs by injection once a week. For me taking the pills gave me an upset stomache but other than that I was fine. My weekly injections are awesome and I have been doing them for over 6 months with no issue. The medication really helps alot for my RA.

<3jenn

it's been a rough week with the diagnosis, I'm  o nmedrol starting with  8 pills last week, and counting down to 2  per day through next week. I was on plaquenil, but  when driving to work one morning on the turnpike and realizing I had no periphial  vision and my distance vision was reduced by about 50% I had to stop that. Fortunately I had an appt with my rheumatologist that same day.

My biggest concern with the methotrexate, aside from  feeling crappy, is possible hair losss. If anyone experienced it how soon did it start and to what degree?

I too was just found out I have RA in November.  It has been tough - my hand, feet, elbows and my back hurt ALL the time but worst of all at night.  I wake up after only a few houts sleep and feel tired most of the time.

I started Methotrexate (4 pills per week) on sunday.   Tell me what to expect from this drugs.  Watch outs, etc.

Thanks.

Cheryl

Welcome to the boards!  I see you have already found us at RA Connect, so I hope you will post more often.  There are several threads there on methotrexate, and you can run a search and probably find dozens more.

I take mtx, and have for about 3 years or so.  It is my main drug, with doxycycline, and it works like a champ.  I never had the upset stomach that some folks get, but I didn't absorb the drug well, so my rheumatologist switched me over to injections after the first month.  I have a bit more fatigue the day after, but nothing serious.  And yes, at first my hair did fall out, and yes, it did grow back -- mostly.  It depends on how high your dosage is.  I got up to 25 mg, and then was able to wean back down to 15 now.

I hope that it will work wonders for you, too.

Hugs,

Gramma Ellie

I take Mtx, prednisone, Folic acid and pain meds. I take my MTX on Fridays and up until this past Friday, my weekends were pretty rough. Friday was my 6th dose and I have felt great so far. I had the nausea and terrible cramps. So far I have had none of the side affects this time. I have been on it for 6 weeks and changing to the injectables this coming Friday. I have had very little hair lost also. As with having RA, you have to work your life around taking your meds. I have felt so much better that I was able to work a full 8 hours today. Have not done that in months.

Good luck and hope for the best but most of all put your rhuemy on speed dial. Don't go through more than you feel that you can stand. I phoned my regularly because I didn't understand everything happening to me due to this medicine.

Aimee

.8cc mtx, Humira, folic acid, prednisone, trazadone, ultrum 300, lortab 10, cymbalta, lasix, hctz and cal w/ vit-d

I wish you the best with taking methotrexate.

Linda