@A myRAteam Member. I'm laughing, but not at you. I can remember telling my daughter before my 1st rheumy appt that there was no way in hell I would take methotrexate. Well, guess what. That's EXACTLY what age prescribed. Do you know why? Because the dang insurance companies "insist" you start out on a cheaper drug. I'm not going to get into a rant about insurance, but I could very easily. Anyhow, mtx has been good for me. The 1st couple of months, I was so fatigued the next day I didnt even want to blink cause it took so much effort. But my body adjusted to it & it doesn't bother me at all now. I got in the habit of taking it at night in case I had nausea, I would sleep thru it. I'm on remicade hiw, a long with mtx & folic acid & I have no pain.

Dang, I wrote that chapter to say this - it's normal to be afraid. It's all new. But voice your concerns with your rheumy. And dont je afraid to speak up. THEY work for YOU. You have every right to know & feel comfortable with any & all things concerning your care.

Now that I have written a mini novel, I'm just gonna send you a big ol marshmallow hug!

Mentioned Users

A myRAtea...

@A myRAteam Member. Mtx IS a cancer drug, but it's also a drug that helps ra. No, I didnt lose any of my hair. When & if you take it, be sure to get a prescription for folic acid. That helps with any side effects you may have. I can tell how scared you are, but just relax & take it a step at a time. I was put on sulfasalazine along with mtx about 3 months into it. Did NOTHING for me, so my rheumy tried to get me approved for Humira. Insurance company said nope, she needs to try a little longer. So, I did. Still nothing & that's when I talked to my rheumy again. I'm going on Medicare Oct 1st & Medicare wont pay for meds that's not given in a "clinical" session. Humira is a self injectable so I didnt want to start on that just to have to quit & start something new. THATS why I'm on remicade. It takes about 2 hours for in infusion. But I also have to keep taking the mtx - has something to do with antibodies. I'm sooo glad my rheumy put me on remicade because I have ZERO pain. All this insurance business drives me crazy & makes me down right mad! Anyhow, if you have any other questions that I can help with, dont hesitate to ask. I'll try & keep my responses shorter. Lol

Mentioned Users

A myRAtea...

I was diagnosed almost 10 months ago and told my rheumy that I do not want to go on MTX (Methotrexate). It sounded too scary. However, after 4 months, I reached a point where I accepted that MTX added to the antiinflamants was the next step. I take Folic Acid also, and it definitely helps with side affects. I have my hair still, am myself most days. Mouth sores are occasional, not constant. I recently was boosted to the maximum dose of MTX, but it's better than either alternative...do nothing or go on to stronger, biologic meds, which are also much more costly. The longer that I am on the MTX, the less side affects I have. My hope is that I will not have to move to the next level of treatment.

Being diagnosed is one of the scariest things to accept. I cried when I told my family of my diagnosis. I had not yet accepted the reality. It had been 2 days since my appointment. Denial is a natural part of this. I hope you are able to come to a decision that helps you. Each person is different and each treatment can be different. Prayers for you...

Hi, I was diagnosed with RA 2 days ago. I was expecting it but it still hit me like a ton of bricks. I am not a cryer but I sure had a good cleansing cry after the appt. My doctor wants me to go on MTX as well (but she also gave me a possible option of Plaquenil. My doctor and from things I have seen on there MTX is the best. I am relieve to see above that no one has lost their hair....that scares me. I appreciate every one giving you the advise.
Everyone that replied to Deblu....thank you because you are helping me too.:)

I take both anti malaria and Sulphurlazine tablet which I couldn't take at full dose as gave me a stomach upset for over a week so now I take two of each and although not in remission went to low disease activity so it push the symptoms down to a more manageable level Still get occasionall flares but certainly improvement in my symptoms