Methotrexate: experiences, opinions and advice

I take 4 X 2.5mg methotrexate every Tuesday and 5 mg folic acid every other day. I also take 2x 500mg Salazpoyrin every day.

i have monthly blood tests, see Consultant once a year, and specialist nurse once a year, so I see someone every 6 moths. 

Still have flair ups in my neck/ shoulders, wrists, knees and ankles.

i also take medication for high blood pressure, atrial fibrillation,and COPD.

I am lucky don't have problems due to my medication.

I sometimes feel Low and in pain, but for a 75 year old cannot complain.

I have been taking methotrexate for the past 6 months since being diagnosed with RA. also take Hydroxychloroquine. luckily enough no side effects. Saw my consultant last week and although off the steroids swelling in knees and ankles returned. They have now increased both tablets in hope of getting the pain under control. I have been very lucky with this medication with no side effects so pleased about this. just wish i could get the pain sorted.

I take methotrexate 6 x 2.5 gsm one a week and 1 folic acid tablet 5 x per week along with other meds for my rheumertoid arthritis and have had no real side effects . 

I have been on Metatraxate for 3 months and so far so good I have blood tests every 4 weeks and nothing bad has come back so far 

I am on 6x25mg once weekly, I have no side effects and wouldn't want to be without them. I could hardly walk before I Started medication. I was having blood tests each month for a year. I now go every two months. 

@Margarita_k hi I've was on this for my rheumatoid arthritis 2.5mg.  Was taking six per week.  Side effects made me vomit.  Was told to try four per week.  Which Ii took on the Friday.  I  felt unwell, not myself, wanting to vomit.  Stayed in bed all day.  As a trial I not been taking them.  I feel fine back to my normal self.  Though now getting unexplained bruises.  I'm seeing the specialist at the end of this month. I'm doing my health diary.

Hello @Psulsayhi‍ 

Thanks for your message and I'm sorry to hear you're having such severe side effects. I hope your specialist finds a solution quickly and please let us know how things are going. 

Sincerely,

Michael

My uncle has been taking Methotrexate about 9 years and had no side effects mentioned above. By the you can read more about Methotrexate drug here: [Link removed by Moderator for violating community standards]

I have been on Methotrexate since 1999.  I started on a low dose and built up to 15mg once a week.  In 2007 my new Rheumatologist wasn’t happy with the continually raised level of my CRP in my blood.  I felt if I wasn’t feeling that bad let’s not try to change things.  After discussions about protecting my digestive tract I agreed to go onto subcutaneous injection of Methotrexate.  Unfortunately within 4 months I had the biggest flare-up ever and it was thought I should have a different treatment plan.  After a few months of oral Prednisolone I began on Leflunomide but that didn’t agree with me (lots of skin reactions) and after a break I resumed oral Methotrexate and gradually built up to 20mg per week.  In late 2008 I started having biological infusions which I continue to do so plus taking the 20mg of oral Methotrexate.  I feel much better now than I did 13 years ago.  

I was diagnosed with RA 16 yrs ago. I failed many medications before being prescribed methotrexate about 10yrs ago. I intially took it orally for 6 months but it made me really ill and weak, I lost 3 stone had 32 mouth ulcers at one point and my liver function test were haywire, it didn’t help my RA either, my ESR was 46 +, I was switched to injections but could not tolerate methotrexate injections either. I have been on Humira for 10 years, following failing many meds including enbrel. I was given 10mg to try again a few years back when I was going through a particularly bad flare, the ulceration started again. I appreciate it works for some but was the worst drug out them all for me.