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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hi All,
Since being diagnosed I've taken 5 x 20mg doses of MTX and I really believe it is beginning to kick in. Does it really work this quickly for some people? Apart from some mild joint pain I've been ok, nothing like what I've had for the past few months. Can you please give me your experiences when you first started taking MTX and how long before it kicked in.
Many thanks.
Anne x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Anne, Just checked my diary I kept when I was ill and started the tablets. I write " Really do feel well now and it has been only 3 weeks. " I was feeling good and able to do lots and I write how pleased I am. Another 3 weeks pass and I come out in a rash and have to stop them. Once the rash goes I have to re-introduce them slowly, one set at a time and continue to have no more problems. Really do keep well now and that is 3 years on. Hope this is reassuring for you. Lorna x 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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My MTX worked very quickly for me too and I was astounded. I had had a large steroid jab too so I out it down to that but it may have been beginner's luck! LOL
Great news!
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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I think it was about 5 or 6 weeks for me. I hadn't been aware of it working, but, one morning managed to swing my legs over the bath without Steve having to help me. We then realised the mtx was doing some good!
Love Jeanxx
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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Hi Anne Great news for you!!! I'm so pleased for you. I started mtx 4 weeks ago- no improvement for me yet  . Hopefully soon..... Mariax
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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Hi Anne I started taking a combination of treatment about 4 weeks ago. I was put on 10mg of Methotrexate, 1ml of etanercept and 5mg of prednisolone and folic acid twice a week. I started the treatment on the Monday and by the Thursday I was getting comments on how good I looked. I clearly remember getting out my car one morning on the way to work and saying it's a miracle. The nurses have been pleased at my treatment to date so they have not increased the doseage of teh mxt or the ethanercept but I am now on 2.5mg of prednisolone since I am keen to be off the steroids as soon as possible. Still early days for me but hopefully I will not get any nasty affects. Good luck with your treatment. I know we read about lots of nasty side effects but not every body gets them and hopefully you are one of the lucky ones where things just happen really quickly. Agnes x 
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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agneso wrote: I was put on 10mg of Methotrexate, 1ml of etanercept and 5mg of prednisolone and folic acid twice a week. I started the treatment on the Monday and by the Thursday I was getting comments on how good I looked. Without wishing to sound cynical someone with active RA would simply not respond at these levels of medication! 10mg of methotrexate is almost minimum, 1ml of Enbrel is nothing, the standard dose is 50ml, and 5mg prednisolone is maintenance dose (2.5mg is negligible). It sounds to me like the disease has coincidentally gone into remission of its own accord. It does happen! Methotrexate 15-20mg in tablet form takes a minimum of about 4 weeks to kick in. Might be quicker dependent upon your bodies ability to absorb the drug. Could be the mtx kicking in for you Anne, but watch out for possible side effects (I really am going to right a post about this drug!) Good luck for a good result. Take care Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/17/2010 Posts: 42
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Hi Lyn
Your response is noted. I can only comment on the facts as they relate to me. The medication noted above is the medication that I am on. Before I started the medication I had all the usual blood tests taken which showed that my disease was active and even before I started taking the medication I questioned the doctors once again to confirm that I really needed to take this stuff because I do not want to be taking drugs which are not needed. Whilst I was not crippled before starting the trial I could not open doors and I could not even turn off the taps in the toilet after washing my hands. Surely everyone reacts differently to medication and that is one of the reasons that we have this forum so that we can all share our stories. I won't apologise for not being a text book case and if my disease has gone into remission on its own then that would be fabulous but in the meantime I will continue to share my treatment with others.
Anne - I really hope it is the case that the mtx has worked quickly for you and I wish you all the best with your treatment.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Agnes Crikey  I'm not saying you should apologise for not being a text book case! What I'm saying is that you appear to be one of the very fortunate people whose body has dealt with the disease in its own way. That's great news!! Far be it from me to wish anyone anything other than excellent results. I have followed your trial with interest from the outset, although not necessarily agreeing I am interested to know how you go on and hope you aren't disappointed. I try to offer advice from what I have learned both by experience and research. I have been on quite a lot of trials myself for various drugs and treatment plans, 11 I think, but equally I have turned down at least twice as many. Why? Because many do not have the patient's interest in mind. They choose people to match their criteria not for patient benefit, although they would obviously argue with that! What I was saying was that the level of medication you have stated is below that which would be considered effective treatment by any rheumatologist. 1ml of Enbrel is what they might use to test drug reaction before the full amount is given, although I'm pretty sure it could be nearer 10ml. I actually believe what you may have been given is 50mg of Etanercept mixed with 1ml of sterile water ... a whole lot of difference! Yes everyone reacts differently both to the disease and how they deal with it, they also react differently to treatments. Of course you should share your story too, I wasn't suggesting otherwise. My post wasn't to inflame purely to wish you well on what seems to be your own response to the RA, and not the meds! My second paragraph was not to you but to Anne about her 5 doses of 20mg methotrexate! Flipping heck  Lyn x PS Sorry Anne, I have hijacked your thread. My apologies ... won't do it again! x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
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You're not allowed to apologise on here, Lyn - you know that well enough by now. Now - STOP TAKING EVERYONE'S CONCERNS ON BOARD AND TAKE SOME TIME OUT FOR YOU!!!!! That's an order from bossy boots...OK?!
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Lyn,
Please do not apologise to me, I am so naive about this subject and I am gradually learning by what I read on here. Hope you are feeling better today.
Anne
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Hi Lyn
Just a note to say I totally agree with our Jean.
I know post on here because you care and have the knowledge to do so.
Have a good rest, and think of no. one ! 
Julia xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 1,035
Location: in a house
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AnnieB wrote:Hi All,
Since being diagnosed I've taken 5 x 20mg doses of MTX and I really believe it is beginning to kick in. Does it really work this quickly for some people? Apart from some mild joint pain I've been ok, nothing like what I've had for the past few months. Can you please give me your experiences when you first started taking MTX and how long before it kicked in.
Many thanks.
Anne x I could feel the differance in 11 weeks now very concrolled you would not know i have it christine The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/19/2009 Posts: 182 Location: kilwinning north ayrshire
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hi lyn, i would be interested what you post on mtx i have been on it 6 2.5 one day a week and feel fine i think it took about 4 weeks before i felt any diffrent i had to build them up first week 2 next week 3 and so on, i dont realy know that much about mtx i would be very interested to know more when you have time thanks sylvia xxx
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/19/2009 Posts: 182 Location: kilwinning north ayrshire
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Maria_R wrote:Hi Anne Great news for you!!! I'm so pleased for you. I started mtx 4 weeks ago- no improvement for me yet . Hopefully soon..... Mariax it will get better maria, i thought it never would it takes time to get into your body hopefully you will feel better soon sylvia ccc
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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Hi All
Wish I'd never posted this as its come back to haunt me. For three days now the pain in my feet (never had it here before bottom of my toes where they reach your feet) has been so painful, difficulty in walking, so next time I feel better I'll keep it to myself.
Anne x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Anne, Poor you I hope you feel better soon, Try some thick soled shoes to cushion your feet. It's maybe just a little flare up, I remember I had one not long after I began to feel better. I really freaked out, panicked because I thought I was going back to the way I was. Rheummy Team assured me it was just a flare after the steroid had worn off and I would be ok. Keep the painkillers up take them regular to help keep things at bay. Take care Lorna xx
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