Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis User Reviews

• Ducky
• January 24, 2021

"Im on methotrexate 2.5 mg four pills 1x a week for around 5-6 years for RA. I feel good when taking this medicine correctly and on time. I had got sick from taking too many antibiotics for urinary track infection and was told to stop taking methotrexate because I had to take a powerful medicine to get my health back to normal and methotrexate may interact with that medicine. I went off for almost 1 1/2 months and RA kicked in bad, I was finished with the other medicine so I went back on methotrexate and the RA subsided. My point is, this medication really does help and never just go off it because you don’t feel any pain anymore, and you think you are cured believe me it’s the medication that’s working, you are not cured you’ll always have RA. I take mine once a week every Saturday and I feel great, if you skip a dose or 2 believe me ,you will know you skipped it, take it every week same day same time and you’ll feel as though you are cured , and I have had no side affects what so ever."

• rhirhi
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 6, 2018

"I have been on methotrexate for a couple of months now. I'm not certain whether we just caught my disease at a good time, but this medication has been 110% effective for me. I have had no symptoms since it kicked in (took a while). The most that will happen because of the medication is the day after I take it, I will feel a little tired (was worse in the beginning). Anyways, please make sure you don't read reviews and judge the medication from that. I nearly scared myself silly doing that. Trust in your rheumatologist and follow the process. The medicine reacts with different people in different ways. I am definitely one of the lucky ones. I am 25, and methotrexate has given me back the lifestyle of a 25-year-old!"

• LagWag
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 10, 2019

"This is a horrible drug. I took it once a week for 5 months, 12.5 mgs of awfulness. My hair started falling out in clumps, even with taking folic acid, the headaches and nausea are debilitating, along with the fatigue and general malaise that I experienced for 2-3 days after taking it. And it did not touch the flare ups or the pain I experienced from the RA. I have now completely changed my diet and my way of thinking to combat this disease. No gluten, no dairy, stress free as much as possible, and supplements like Nordic Fish Oils, Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfates and Turmeric help better than the Methotrexate did any day. I called this drug "Poison" the whole time I was taking it. Now I feel way better not taking and I know why, because it is a POISON. Stay far away from this drug and try life style changes before even considering this harmful drug."

• kille...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 11, 2019

"My mom took methotrexate for over 15 years for R.A. She ended up methotrexate induced pulmonary fibrosis. The local hospital was treating her for pneumonia but that was not the case. Mom passed away at one of the nations top 10 hospitals from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome or Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Death Certificate says she died from ARDS and RA. If you love yourself or your loved ones do not let them take this medication. DANGEROUS. She was 52 years old. I can't believe she gone and its all from a little yellow pill she took once a week. Low dose or not doesn't matter. IT CAN KILL YOU. AVOID. Read manufacturer black box warnings and find alternatives. The medicine didn't help much anyway if any."

• Bexsy
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 23, 2019

"My mum has DIED, she had RA in hands & knees. She was given THIS DRUG 13yrs ago. NO 1 told her/us its ALSO ANTI-CANCER drug, it destroys immune system, blood cells etc. YES, it relieves RA, but in 6 months mum went from 6ft tall 10 stone lady to a wheezing, weak, 6 stone shadow of her former self, mum died April 7 2019, she was home & arrested. At hospital 10pm, 1am they said she wouldn't survive? They did EVERY test, bloods/fluids/scans, NOTHING showed. She had lines in neck, drips everywhere, they treated for lots & hoped it worked. But at 5am advised us TURN OFF her life support. Drs were baffled. When they got GP info, & we mentioned methotraxate their faces dropped, they didn't blame meds solely, but they DID explain meds have knock on effect, & with prolonged use they can cause break downs in parts of body. More info should be available, to look out for signs & symptoms about this drug. Please keep getting checked out. Mum had blood tests monthly & nothing showed, she NEVER missed appointment. I'd stay clear of these meds"

• Charis
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 22, 2019

"I took this medication for about 5 yrs. Dr increased the dose to 8 pills a week. While I was on this I experienced bad headaches, I would bruise easily & badly if I bumped myself somewhere. I also developed lactose intolerance. which I was not until I took this. Overall, this medicine was making me worse & in addition to this, Dr. would give me cortisone shots for my joint pain that never went away. Shots were bad too. After 5 yrs, I stopped taking this medication with out the Dr.s knowledge. I am now taking pure supplements and still fighting RA but I am methotrexate free for 6 yrs."

• Yay
• December 28, 2018

"I am 32 year old and a mother of two boys working full-time. I was on methotrexate for 2.5 years (10 mg per week oral). It did work and I had little side effects in the beginning. However, about 1-1.5 years in I became extremely fatigued and even depressed. I did not feel like myself. I read in other blogs that people had the same feelings as I did so I was glad I wasn’t alone. I was at a point in my journey where I could try and get off the medication . After only two weeks off the medication I felt amazing! Back to my old self! Both my husband and I were amazed. Fatigue gone. No longer going to bed at 7:30 pm. No more depression feelings. And thank goodness my RA symptoms have not reappeared. I do follow a strict dairy free, gluten free, almost pescatarian diet that I believe has a huge impact on RA. So if anyone is feeling this way please talk to your doctor and try a different approach to tackling your RA if you cannot live with the frustration of the fatigue and depression."

• jFr
• December 22, 2015

"Methotrexate has been a miracle for me. For the past 3 years experiencing extreme tiredness, no energy to do anything, thankful to get through a day's work. Tried every combination of vitamins the world has ever made without any results. Then over last one year severe inflammation of hands, could barely make a fist, difficulty using hands. Under rheumatologist advice used 2 other medications till placed on methotrexate with a dose of 5 pills per week. Have been on this dose past 8 months with great results. Have been walking, biking around from 2 to 4 miles frequently, mowing grass, doing property maintenance 6 to 8 hrs per day and still having energy to continue working on other things! Crossing fingers, THANKS METHOTREXATE!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 5, 2015

"I have been on this medication for about 2 months now. I was taking prednisone before but that wouldn't help much. After the second week of taking methotrexate I can honestly say I am pain free. I can actually enjoy doing all the stuff I used to do before being diagnosed with RA. Before starting this medication I would experience horrible pain in my shoulders, hands, fingers, hips and ankles. I would have a rough time getting through the day. This medication works wonderfully."

• momsrh
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

"My family doctor and Rheumatoid specialists both suggested Methotrexate for my R.A. I read several sites and decided I would find my own way without this terrible drug. I went to India for Ayurvedic treatment, and as of today, not quite 2 years later, I have no pain, I have not suffered any side effects from this drug, and I can function normally. It pains me to see the accounts of people whose lives have been ruined by Methotrexate. There is a safer easier (and less expensive in the long run) to handle arthritis. Medical doctors will cringe to read this, but I'm living proof!!"

• Anonymous
• March 29, 2009

"At first I was really apprehensive about taking Methotrexate (7.5mg a week), but it seems to be working well. I've been taking it since November 2008. My side effects are minimal. Once a week I get nausea, which usually occurs the day after I take my weekly dose. My test results have come back normal too. I'm not a medicine taker and the idea of taking such a strong medication still scares me, but I will continue with my weekly dosage because it helps with my rheumatoid arthritis a lot. One thing I'm consistent with is taking my Folic Acid since it helps prevent my side effects. I don't even get the very common mouth sores."

• Anonymous
• September 23, 2012

"I am female, 41, have been taking methotrexate for 2 months now. I was crippled; my hands, fingers, wrists, ankles, balls of my feet, knees, shoulders, arms, even my jaw. I could barely walk; I couldn't unscrew lids, peel potatoes, do everyday chores people take for granted. My rheumatoid factor was 1380. After 1 month, no change; hopefully my 2nd reading will come down. Anyway, after 1 month on the medication, my joint pains have disappeared, thanks to Methotrexate. I take 10mg once weekly with folic acid the next day. It worked for me. YAY!"

• 211106
• September 17, 2015

"When I was first diagnosed my hands hurt so badly I wondered how I could convince my doctor to amputate them and give me prosthetics. Methotrexate was among the first things tried to get my RA under control. After steroids, a variety of IV therapies, and anti-inflammatories Methotrexate has been my mainstay and keeps my RA under control as well as the biologics. I take it orally with no side effects. Yeah for Methotrexate in my life."

• CCEA
• August 13, 2015

"I took Methotrexate for 17 years. Started with tablets but progressed to injections for less chance of side effects (and cheaper!). Always felt tired and nauseous for a day after, which got worse and lasted longer over the years, so that instead of just folic acid, my rheum had me take leucovorin the day after (a stronger folic acid). But 6 months ago I developed fatigue, malaise and chronic low grade fever despite normal blood tests; my rheum said he had seen that before in other patients taking Methotrexate and considered it a toxic reaction! There is no literature on this reaction, but I got better once I stopped, so just be aware."

• tigger
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 10, 2019

"methotrexate was totally useless and side effect far outweigh benefits, unable to eat, hair falling out, chronic stomach pains. My RA doctor completely ignores when told the adverse effects and swaps to milder dose injection to no avail. Keep well away for this medication"

• Bunio...
• May 25, 2009

"I have been taking methotrexate for about 2 years for moderate rheumatoid arthritis (22.5mg weekly) and it does control inflammation. I recently stopped taking it for 3 months because I really don't like taking drugs and symptoms returned (inflammation in ankles, hip pain, stiffness) so I started taking it again and have no pain so obviously it was working."

• Mel
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 14, 2021

"Started methotrexate in April for RA, pain in hands, knees, hips, fingers and toes. Started on 7.5mg injections but didn't see any difference. Slowly progressed to 15 mg and I'm now just having odd pains here and there, mainly if I've overdone things. Started on folic acid 5mg ever day but it made me feel so ill, now only take it once a week which my rheumatologist is fine with and I feel absolutely fine. No adverse side effects from methotrexate either. Yes my hair is thinner but no so anyone notices, eyelashes a bit sparse now but still there. I was so apprehensive to try this drug but at 45 I didn't want it to progress to the stage where I couldn't live a normal life. I know it's not for everyone but for me it's really helped."

• Ccd
• August 29, 2018

"Please don't take this medicine. My mother had taken this once a week for 12years, it did help her RA but not greatly, then she died suddenly. An autopsy confirmed this medicine destroyed all her blood cells."

• Cocac...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2014

"I have only been taking the Methotrexate since the end of September and I am on 25mg per week. I was also prescribed the Folic Acid but can't take that as it causes such an upset stomach that I stopped it all together. So far the only symptoms I have had were in the beginning and that was feeling nausea, and very tired the day after taking it. It has helped with the swelling and pain and I have no pain in my knees anymore and just a bit in the hands, wrists and my one foot."

• Mister...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 28, 2016

"Following treatment for acute auto-immune disease of the brain I suddenly developed RA symptoms in my hands and feet - dropping things all day, severe overnight swelling and pain. Two previous medications prescribed by my rheumatologist were ineffective. Tried Methotrexate (8 x 2.5mg once/week folic acid) two days ago and 50% of swelling and 90% of the pain are gone; can make a more-or-less painless fist with both hands, easy to type first thing in the morning (woo hoo) and happy to be alive."

• Savan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 22, 2019

"When I was first diagnosed with RA six years ago, this methotrexate was the first medication that I was prescribed. I was just in so much pain at that time and being newly diagnosed, I just wanted to feel like myself again. But ... over the course of the first three months, I gained just under 15 pounds. (And to make it worse I was so bloated, even though I was barely eating). Then ... worse yet, about nine months in to my treatment my long hair began to fall out (not in large clumps), but I started noticing my hair was all over everything. Okay, so now I have joint pain, I cannot fit in to my clothes, and my hair is falling out. I was taking this mediation for 14 months before I was changed, and throughout that time I am unable to say it really did anything to help me - although my doctor said it did stop “the flare up”. Please note: even though I no longer am on this medication, I did not actually notice this helping with my joints and I do still have flare ups occasionally."

• Dpalmer
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 1, 2014

"I have been on methotrexate for two months now and have slowly increased my dose to 17.5mg/week. I started on a daily dose of folic acid but switched to a weekly dose of Leucovorin due to dizziness a couple of days after my Methotrexate dose. My pain and inflammation are gone and I feel so much better. I am once again able to do the things I love and have no side effects. I'm RF negative, but my rheumatologist chose to treat me quickly and aggressively based on symptoms and a high CCP. I'm thankful she did. I hope Methotrexate will be a long term solution to treat my rheumatoid arthritis."

• mamab...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 27, 2019

"I was on 12.5 mg of methotrexate/week for 6 weeks. Gradually got more tired and more brain fog as each week went by. My hair was falling out at an alarming rate. By week 6 I was having heart palpitations. Joints felt good but everything else not so much. I stopped using and after 3 days felt much better."

• Annie...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2015

"When all other meds/combo of meds failed my rheumy put me on mtx (8 tabs@ 2.5 mg. once a week). I still take 4 mg prednisone twice a day, 400 mg of plaquenil at night, and folic acid every morning. It's been a long road and a lot of ups and downs but I have seen the most progress since mtx was added to my combo of meds. I still have some pain but the stiffness (which used to last most of the day) and the swelling has improved. I am always nauseous and feel lethargic the first 24 - 48 hours after the mtx dose but 1-2 days of that is better than the alternative. I've always been extremely active so it has been rough struggling to do simple things."

• Goodd...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 2, 2018

"I have been on methotrexate for 6 weeks and have had no side effects. Has greatly reduced my RA symptoms along with 5mg daily dose of prednisone. I can walk again and no pain in hands. It’s worked well for me."