How long until Methotrexate starts working?

[jason_winnipeg]

Hello,
Just wondering on average for everyone, how long it has taken methotrexate to start working for them? Thank you so much. Take care.

Jason

[bozzly]

Well I have been taking 3 pills (7.5) for 2 months now and haven't notice any change in my condition.
I'm due to see the doc this coming Monday so maybe he might up the dose a bit.

[usnvetwi]

Well, I was on mtx for about 4 1/2 to 5 years before it finally stopped working for me, unfortunately. But it worked very good for me while it lasted. I was doing 20 mg a week, and that was keeping me mostly clear, I would say about 90% clear. I had a spot right below my collar line on my back that I didn't care much about, and a couple small spots on the tops of my feet that I could also live with.

Eric

[JesseLou]

I noticed a difference after a couple of months, but I didn't get complete relief until my dose had gone up to 20 mg from a starting point of 12.5 mg. I went on MTX in late January 2003, and was up to 20 mg by Thanksgiving of that year. In between, I would get relief, then my immune system would win until my rheumy raised the dose again. It also went the other way - got so good at 20mg, that I went back down to 12.5mg for about a year, and now I'm at 17.5, with good control.

It's a balancing act, Jason - you take the smallest dose that gives you acceptable results, and you adjust up and down to match the misbehavior of your immune cells!

[LoriASoCal]

I've taken it for 17 years. With MTX alone and no other treatment it will get me about 45% clear from about 80% covered... which is fantastic as far as I'm concerned. I have been using biologics for the last couple years and have enjoyed my skin being mostly clear. I believe the MTX held back much of my PA damage when I was at the higher doses though in the last few years I feel the PA has been extremely aggressive and is hard to control with almost any of my efforts. But I still take MTX and feel I can't stop taking it because my disease is just too out of control without it.

I definitely suffer when I miss a dose or have to cut back on it for any reason. I currently take 12.5 mg per week with remicade infusion every 6 weeks. Plus whatever other nsaids,painkillers, topicals etc, I feel like adding to the mix.

Lori

[tmartha]

I've been on Mtx for 5 weeks, started noticing some improvement in my joint pain after 3 weeks. 12.5 mg/week. I'm glad for the improvement I've gotten so far, but hopefully this isn't the end of it 'cause there's a lot more to go. I suppose, as Jessie Lou says, the doc will adjust me up in the future. Like your phrase, Jessie, about the "misbehavior of our immune cells"...naughty buggers...

Oh, and recently my scalp p has definitely gotten better - maybe by 50%.

Jason, have you started on or are you considering Methotrexate?

Tani

[kaynorth]

Hi Jason

They say it can take up to 12 weeks to kick in but I suppose you will only feel better if you are on a high enough dose. I was taking a lot of painkillers and anti inflammatories when I started on MTX and then gradually found that I could wean myself of them. I am lucky as I only take 7.5 mg a week. I have to say that I have lost about 16lbs recently ( not through self will but because I have a problem with my gall bladder) and my arthritis does seem to have eased off a lot. I am not overweight now but those extra pounds I have lost certainly seemed to have helped.

Hope you feel better soon

Love Kay

[Al]

My story may be helpful. I was on 15 mgs of MTX orally for over 4 months and - nothing!!! It didn't work at all. My rheumy then upped the dose to 20 mgs and started me on injections. After only two weeks, I am noticing a big difference. I still have pain but I can say that the MTX is working. I may have to increase the injectible dose or I may just have to take a few more doses to see what happens. My point in writing this is that many people find more success with mtx by injection. You also have to rev up to the right dosage and that can take a while.

Allan

[Saxmom]

when I started MTX, the doc said it would take approximately 3 months before I started to notice anything other then the side effects. It actually took closer to 6 months, but once it kicked in I was able to stay on it at 7.5mgs for close to 5 years. After that my liver said it had had enough. Anyway, good luck with it. I hope that it works very well for you with minimal side effects. Just don't forget to take folic acid!
Paige

[cajungirl]

I have been taking 7.5mg for 4 weeks and just got bumped up to 15mg per week. I have already started to notice a difference with the pain from the pa, but no change in the p yet.

[hjl1969]

I have been on mtx since Sept 05. My dose has been changed multiple times. At one point it was 20mgs. Currently it is 10mgs. My rheumy lowered it because we have seen no positive results and my side effects.....suck. 6 months, maybe mtx is not meant for me.

[jdgarwood]

I have been on mtx since Sept 05. My dose has been changed multiple times. At one point it was 20mgs. Currently it is 10mgs. My rheumy lowered it because we have seen no positive results and my side effects.....suck. 6 months, maybe mtx is not meant for me.


I was on MTX from last April until September....no relief and plenty of side effects. It doesn't work for everyone. I started Enbrel in September and have been very happy with the results...just hope it keeps working. Rheumy wants me to add MTX but I tried and couldn't hack it.

Joel