My journey with RA began in March 2007. I feel very fortunate because I was able to get in with a rheumatologist and had my symptoms under control by October of that same year. My rheumatoid arthritis is seronegative, which means that I do not test positive to the traditional diagnostic tests that are used to diagnose the disease. Seronegative makes the job of diagnosing a patient with rheumatoid arthritis even more difficult. After conducting numerous tests to rule out other explanations for my joint tenderness and swelling, my rheumatologist decided to prescribe methotrexate. She started me on six 2.5 mg tablets to be taken one day each week. In addition, she prescribed 1 mg. of folic acid to be taken daily.
I began keeping a journal in April 2007 to help me keep up with my symptoms, appointments, and the various medications that I was prescribed. As I prepared for this article, it was interesting to look back at my journal entries during that time of uncertainty. I definitely had good days and bad days with life interspersed between the two. I documented the day that I started on methotrexate. I easily determined that my symptoms began to lessen in four weeks and were almost totally under control in eight. I remember worrying about hair loss and the other side effects from methotrexate. However, thanks to the folic acid I have not experienced any of the side effects other than mild fatigue the day after I take the methotrexate. I visit my rheumatologist’s office every three months for bloodwork and every six months for a follow up. I have found that my “maintenance” dose of methotrexate is five 2.5 mg tablets per week.
I have read posts on various sites about people newly diagnosed that are fearful of taking methotrexate because of its side effects and the fact that it is chemotherapy. I had the same fears in the beginning, but for me…it’s been a miracle drug that has given me my life back. I hope that this is encouraging to those of you that are newly diagnosed.
Here is an excellent video that explains the proper use of methtrexate for the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis:
http://www.rheuminfo.com/content/view/113/385/
Hi
Great blog
Just posted the link to our RA Infromation page on FB
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rheumatoid-Arthritis-Information/291040440632?ref=ts
Rgds
Belinda
I started Methotrexate with 2 x 2.5 mg tabs taken weekly. My reactions was so severe I was changed to weekly injections. Injections bypass the stomach thus simmering down the severe reactions. A high percentage of Methotrexate, in tablet form, is soaked up by the system. Injections avoids this. All the Methotrexate goes into the system.
In conjunction with Methotrexate, in order to counteract with any side effects, I take Folic Acid on the 6 days I do not inject Methotrexate.
In my circumstances, Methotrexate did not control my Rheumatoid Arthritis. In conjuction with Methotrexate I am prescribed Hydroxychloroquine, Sulfasalazine and Enbrel (Etanercept).
You are no longer blogging? I miss your post your posts.