|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Hi everyone.
I have decided to do my own little bit of research. I have been wondering lately if there comes a time when a person can no longer take mxt. Is it possible to take it forever or does it lose it's efficacy or become too toxic when taken for years and years? This might be a silly question but it is something that I have thought about from time to time. If you are on mxt can you tell me how long you have been taking it and what strength you are taking. I have been taking it for 9 1/2 years now and hope to be able to take it for however many years I have left. Have you been taking it the longest? Has it become a problem for you after so many years? Has it caused you problems after a long time and you have had to change to another drug? I would be grateful for your replies.
Thank you
Sheila x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009 Posts: 262
|
Hi Sheila,
I took mtx tablets for about 12 years without any side effects. At first, I took it on it's own but it lost its efficacy after about a year. Then I took it with cyclosporin (and steroid injections when necessary) for many years (varying doses but most usually 12.5mg) until I had to stop cyclosporin due to side effects.
Then out of the blue, the mtx began to make me very nauseous and eventually I would vomit every time I took it.
So I swapped to injections which were much better at first. I had injections for about 2 and a half years (in conjunction with Enbrel) until the injections started to have the same effect as the tablets and I had to stop them as the benefit I was getting from mtx was negligible anyway.
Earlier this year, when Enbrel began to lose its efficacy, it was decided that I should try mtx again to see if it would boost the Enbrel. I took a very small dose (5mg) once, and within hours I was vomiting. I think the consensus is that my body can no longer tolerate the mtx at all. (although I never experienced any liver problems which a lot of people do).
We are all different though as you know so I'm sure there are people who have benefitted from taking mtx for many years without problems.
Diane x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Thanks for your reply Diane. That is very interesting.
Sheila x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
|
Hello My Gran has been on MTX for 20yrs. She has done well on it in general and its made a hugely positive difference in her life over the last yr or so, she hasnt done so well (shes 86 so maturity of body has some impact too) so is about to start ENBREL too. Jenni xx how to be a velvet bulldoser
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Sheila,
I have been taking mtx on and off for the last 11 years, sometimes on its own other times in combination with other drugs. I am now on mtx and humira. I don't know the answer to your question, although I suspect,as usual, we are all different as to how long it remains efficient or how long we can tolerate it.
I do know that I hate the drug and all the years of taking it has not made me like it any more! I still have to steel myself every Monday to "just get on with it and swallow them!"
Hope it continues to work for you for many years to come.
Love Doreen xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Thanks Jenni and Doreen
Jenni - That's good to know that your granny has taken it for so long. Like you say old age must play a part but I hope Enbrel works well for her.
Doreen - I know what you mean about taking it. I haven't had any nausea or anything but I still don't like taking it just in case. On saying that, thank God that it exists.
Sheila x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
|
A bit the same for me too Sheila- been taking MTX for about 4 years now. Also on Humira-don't like putting either in my body and i haven't really been taking it long enough to try and answer your questions re long term use. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Thanks Julie. All comments are appreciated no matter how long you have been taking it.
Sheila x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 51
Location: Blackburn, Lancashire
|
Hi Sheila
I have been taking a doze of 20mg for 11 years along with folic acid and Enbrel injections for 9 years
Best wishes
Lisa
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Hi Lisa
Thank you for your reply. Your info is much appreciated.
Sheila x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/20/2011
Posts: 50
Location: Coventry
|
Hi Shelia
I've been on MTX injections for 5 years but am now being assessed for Anti TNF as the MTX doesn't seem to be working as well for me now-although i've been really lucky and had hardly any side effects in all that time
Julie x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Thanks Julie. Good luck with the new meds.
Sheila x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 11/9/2010
Posts: 73
Location: Surrey
|
Hello Sheila...
I have been taking MTX for over 15 years, starting at 2.5mg and gradually increasing the dosage gradually to 20mg. Unfortunately, it was at this point that I started to feel nauseous. However, my Specialist Nurse suggested injecting 15mg/20mg (alternate weeks) to bypass the stomach. This has worked for the last 3 years and I am now alternating each week between 20mg and 25mg. I am so happy so say that for the last 6 months I have been virtually pain free with no side effects.
Over the years I have also supplemented MTX with other DMARDS but suffered terrible side effects with Cyclosporin and Hydrochloroquine (spell?), I also take Folic Acid and have the occasional steriod injection when times are very bad.
Overall, I would say I have been fortunate enough to tolerate MTX but for how much longer I don't know as I believe I have now reached the maximum dose allowed but - it seems to work for me.
Hope that helps.
Best wishes...
Ellie
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/28/2011 Posts: 956 Location: North Preston
|
Thanks for your reply Ellie. That's great to hear that you are so well right now. Strangely, my mxt was reduced in the summer from 20mg to 15mg because my hair was coming out and I am still on 15mg and now in remission. I was on 20mg for a few years. There are other factors involved i.e. stopping medication for other problems, change of diet etc which are too complicated to go into now so hard to say what has made me so well. All I know is that I feel great and am determined to stay this way for as long as I can.
Love Sheila x
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
