Hi Heather
I have been on mtx and hydroxy from the start. I have 2 weekly blood tests to keep an eye on how I am reacting. I find it very reassuring and I keep a close eye on my blood results. The first 2 occasions they tried to put me up to 10mg my white count dropped so I had to go back to 7.5 but the 3rd. go seems to have worked. Theoretically I should be higher but I have been doing well on this dose. Before I started I had swollen knuckles but that has all gone now. I also don't have painful knees any more, just aches which I can cope with. We all react differently but it is definitely worth trying.
I take mine on Saturday morning and usually feel a bit queasy on Sunday afternoon. I take folic acid every day except Saturday to help the queasines.
I hope you have a monitoring book for your blood results.
take care
Sue
PS. A piece of good advice my consultant gave me - research and become knowledgeable about RA BUT avoid the american sites - they will scare you.

HiHeather

Me too.

I started on mtx back in May, having been on Sulfasalazine which worked for a while but then became less effective. I was VERY apprehensive, when I had my initial meeting and read all the literature. I was getting paranoid, watching for every little symptom! Now I just take it and forget about it. I'm glad to report that all is well- no nasty reactions except for the first few weeks when I couldn't drink tea or coffee for a couple of days after taking it- I felt a bit queasy. I've been monitored very closely, starting with blood tests every 2 weeks which then changed to every 4.My rheumatology dept has a helpline if I have any concerns and the day I picked up my first prescription, the pharmacist had a long, reassuring chat with me. ( lovely to know the support is there).
I was started on 10mg to see if my body could tolerate it-it could, so it was increased to 12.5 mg. I take 5 mg of folic acid 5 days a week- not on the mtx day or the day after. It seems that diffeent hospitals recommend different doses of folic acid. I was already on 5mg every day before I started the mtx as my levels were low, so that's why I still take so much. So far, all is well with the blood tests. One bit of advice my nurse gave me was to leave at least a 2 days' gap after taking the mtx before having blood tests as it can affect the readings.




But- I'm fine and it has made such a difference. I haven't felt as good as this for ages- most days I am pain free- I do get the occasional mild flare, which I guess is only to be expected.
Long may it last- I hope it all works out for you.
Look after yourself- and let us know how you get on

Maria x

Hi Paula,

You're right about some sites frightening you, some of the stuff I read absolutely terrified me!

I've calmed down considerably after finding this site as I've had so much re-assurance from people who felt just as I did initially.

Heather x x

Hi Rose

Thank you.

Heather x x

Hi everyone,

Thank you all for your help and advice.

Well I did the deed last night and I'm still standing! I felt a bit queasy and odd throughout the night and today I feel shattered but apart from that not too bad!!

Thanks again

Heather x x

Glad you did it. The next time won't be so bad. I just throw them all in my mouth now have a drink and thats it.

Every journey starts with just one step!!!!!! You've just started your journey of getting RA under control.



Paula x x

Well done Heather!

Let's hope this is the start of a big improvement for you.

Love, Doreen xx

Good luck with the MTX although I don't think you'll need it.

Likewise I terrified myself reading 'helpful' information on the internet and actually refused treatment for 3 months, a decision I sorely regret. The first night I took it I cried I was so scared.

Big fuss about nothing!

I went up gradually to 17.5mg but it's not working great on me. I'm an awkward bugger so wasn't really surprised and will be mixing it with Leflunomide from next week.

The worst I ever got was my first dose at 17.5mg and that was a little bit of diarrhoea, a little bit of tiredness and what felt like a mild hangover. Otherwise I was fine and going out and running around as normal.

You'll be fine, believe me.