Methotrexate for Rheumatoid Arthritis

[hotboxtheword]

And the most important point you forgot? MTX IS CHEMOTHERAPY.

[hotboxtheword]

1) My rheum told me that it took around 3 months to kick in, not 6-8 weeks. That's why I put up with the terrible side effects for so long. 2) My nausea lasted ALL WEEK with mtx, not a couple days after it. The days after I did the needle were just worse. 3) Headaches are NOT an uncommon side effect, AT ALL! 4) Why is the hair loss and pigmentation of skin never mentioned? I lost hair, and my nails are still yellow a month and a half after coming off of it.

[PCMontreal]

This medication likely caused my father's lymphoma; I notice he doesn't mention this potential side effect although there is plenty of studies indicating a link between RA patients taking methotrexate and then developing lymphomas. But I guess that would be bad publicity.

[Thestone3x]

don't forget hair loss. When you are not told, it is a shock to see hair all over! I have lost a good 1/3rd. of thick curly hair. Increased folic acid and 3000+ biotin daily it is now growing back in but is still so short! Google it and you'll see they added the "hair loss" as a side effect. Minor? Only if you're lucky.

The day I take the MTX I ache ver bad. Throw up too. BUT, I can walk and get around and have maybe 3 good OK days weekly.

[gagagoogooification]

this is a great first course of treatment i have been on it for years but there are complications as well as it has caused extreme and severe chronic fatigue in me in about the third yr I was on it but I'd rather deal with the CFS disability than not take the drut and suffer worse from RA

[kentucy9999]

I think most of these people are quacks. If you've never thought of suicide then you've never really had a bad flare of RA. Pain? Nothing. Swelling? No big deal. Have you had the fatigue and malaise to accompany the pain and swelling yet? Now your talking. Both my knees were swollen like balloons. My fingers and wrists. My shoulders which was the worst cause I could only sleep on my back {for 1 or 2 hrs at a time.} Incredible fatigue. The malaise makes you feel like puke. "The horror."

[XdestinybieberX]

They give you blood test to see how much damage they are doing to your liver, the folic acid is to help with the nausea. I was on this and Plaquinel and stopped because I was still in pain and sick. Now they want to put me on enbrel which increase your chance of cancer so if you're already at risk good luck! I have been dealing with this for 6 years and I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy

[kentucy9999]

@XdestinybieberX bieber. How are you doing? I was on methetrexate for 4 mos. I've been coughing {some days it is worse than others} for two months and I feel like there is something wrong with my lungs. I've been off the meth for 6 wks and am in remission right now. I had a chest X-ray and the MD listened to my lungs. They say everything is all right but I'm nervous about it. {I'm a former bicycle racer.} My last "flare" was unbelievable. So I scared to take meth but don't want another flare.

[66mtryon]

superCatia It is absolutely impossible for for you to be cured if you truly have RA. You should do a bit more research. RA is an incurable disease

[steaminboot]

@dtrotter74 Update. I'm taking a long overdue vacation on Christmas eve and staying with close friends in South Africa. While i wont be binge drinking i, will be having a few beers and some wine every day and just enjoying socialising. I plan to stop my MTX the week before and go back to my full dose of Sulphasalazine ( currently on half the dose i was taking before the MTX ) and then build up my MTX dose on my return.

[drtrotter74]

I have been on MTX for several months now......It was not working as well as I'd hoped for my Psoriatic arthritis. I started taking Enbrel about 4 months ago. Miracle drug for me. Once the inflamation went away, I have been able to reduce the enbrel frequency.

[nicolamurph]

Methotrexate is used as a chemotherapy drug. It is a DMARD. It does not cure RA and is toxic. To regenerate your cells eat right. Cut out the acid-forming foods like sugar, wheat and animal products (including all milk/cheese/butter) and any other processed or cooked food. Go totally raw vegan. Sound drastic? So does chemo. Good luck.

[kentucy9999]

Anyone out there? I started methotrexate about 12 wks ago. I'm not sure whether it is helping or not. I'm slightly better but not sure if it is the methotrexate. Have you ever experienced 1] a little dizziness at times? almost feel like fainting at times? 2] a kind of agitation. I feel "uncomfortable" much of the time in my mood. Don't feel like myself and am having a hard time sleeping. Ever experience that? 3] have had some low BP since starting methotrexate.......ever experience these things?

[hotboxtheword]

@kentucy9999 I always had an awkward, out of body, I'm weird feeling in my own flesh feeling with methotrexate. I'm also a little strange, because I'm one of the few people I've heard of that would do the injection in the morning because I couldn't sleep through the side effects and I just wanted to get it over with so I didn't have to go all day knowing I had to do that needle at the end of it.

[kentucy9999]

@hotboxtheword Did you ever have any lung problems secondary to Methotrexate use? About 3 mos into methotrexate therapy I began coughing especially when I talked. I stopped using it specifically because of concerns re: my lungs. My rheumatologist always minimized this saying he hadn't really seen a "methothrexate lung" since the advent of folic acid use, but he's full of sh*t because if you read the literature on metho and RA {just go to Wiki} or read studies there are all kinds of lung issues.

[hotboxtheword]

@kentucy9999 No, I never have, but my grandfather died of RA complications (Rheumatoid Lung Disease) and so I came off it for one of those reasons. MTX increases the risk of RLD, and RLD is often (and in my grandfather's case) a secondary disease to RA. And honestly, my rheum is an idiot about mtx too. I called CHEO once because I couldn't handle the side effects, and I was told, "methotrexate doesn't lead to headaches, and the nail yellowing is probably from fake nails [removed months pre-mtx]"

[kentucy9999]

@hotboxtheword Yeah. My last flare was awful. Swelling, terrible inflammation, and finally a feeling of malaise which just made everything else unbearable. For about a 3 month period I never slept more than 1 1/2 hrs straight. {I couldn't sleep on my L shoulder.} People are pretty blase' about it too. "Yes. I have some arthritis in my knees. Have you tried Aleve?" I'm a fairly tough guy. I played 2 college sports. neither my RA Md or general Md ever offered me pain meds. I was in agony.

[LilSingerBear]

This med might be enough for some people, but not enough for people like me. I take that crap, enbral(which hurts alot) neoproxen and something else I forgot, and I'm only 15!

[Kamrangeorge7]

Thanks, this video is very helpfull and informatics

[katproductionsinc]

Checkout the new song 'Spilling Our Blood For War' on Youtube.

[GuitarEbb]

i have JRA and i remember a year ago that my Rheumatologist said that my sperm has effect from the MTX as well....Im not sure though... You guys know anything about that?

[Heather29241]

this medication sucked. i had to keep taking steroids with it.

[redthor60]

I believe that fuits and vegetables can reduce inflammation in joints!

I started taking Mona Vie Active for my shoulder pain and now I don't have to take Vicodin before I go to bed!

If you seriously want the Monavie Active, go to juiceberg's channel! They will hook you up!

[superCatia]

This medicine is very good, it almost healed me. I am almost 100% cured.

[66mtryon]

@superCatia It is absolutely impossible for for you to be cured if you truly have RA. You should do a bit more research. RA is an incurable disease

[PetrifiedFungus]

Been on MTX for a lil over a year now for rheumatoid arth., Started on the pills, but they made me sick, so had to switch to injections of 1 cc a week. No side effects since switching to injections. My wife just got pregnant, were a lil scared considering MTX can cause birth defects, otherwise my arthritis has been very well controlled.

[steaminboot]

Clearly delivered and very informative. I've been taking it for 9 months now with no problems. My Doc told me I could still drink alcohol as long as I stick to the reccomended daily limits, but I have regularly overindulged :-D and my bloods are fine. That's not an invite for you to try though. Each to their own.

[drtrotter74]

@steaminboot same here. I was leary about drinking anything. But I have had clear blood tests now for many months. I maybe have a few beers or other drinks per week with no problems. Would not recommend binge drinking for anyone.....MTX or not.

[sanchezliliana30]

and what if i get it pregnat and i have 0.5 mm injeccion of metrotexate?

[ikillnerds23]

@sanchezliliana30 i may only be 14, but have sure had alot of medicine ( i had cancer wehen i was 11 ) and methatrexate is a chemodrugs, and would kill the baby.

[sanchezliliana30]

@ikillnerds23 now i now that ,this medicine kill my baby ,i was 2 moth pregnant in didn't now everithing was 'normal" pretty sad i was prying for this baby a lot .......=(

[manalishah9]

This video is very informative..

Gud work Dr. Thompson

[alexreyna]

Just found out today that my 5 year old has to take this. Thank you for putting this material out there. You have explained it better than my daughter's doctor.

[vortexgenerator65]

I just started medication of methotrexate yesterday. I have some anxieties taking this drug but since it was adviced by my dr, i took it just the same. Will my lifestyle be affected? I'm living a very active life and earn my keep doing that.

[nmarchesano]

This video was very informative. I do get nausea the following day after taking it. It has been 4 weeks since I started and I think it's starting to work. I am feeling like I have a new lease on life. RA has to be the worse experience I've had in my life. It actually changed my lifestyle. I am finally off the prednisone and I am starting to feel better... thanks to Methotrexate!

[dasesu]

Thank you so much for this video....very informative!

[sammyf25]

hopefully we'll see more anti tnf medications in the market to create competetion. These drugs like enbrel and humira work but the price is to much.

[dindinha2805]

Hi Sammy,there is a supplement called MMS you can watch the videos here; Jim Humble (miracle mineral supplement),the only bad thing about mms is the taste.

[anilanandkotian]

@dindinha2805 ,

Should be MSM and not MMS

[sammyf25]

hate that drug, couldnt ever take enough folic acid to help the side effects. the uncontrollable coughing. I like to have kids some day too

[strangerlover11]

so what is the best medicin to control

pain ans swilling plz........

[Roley170]

Very good video. Ive been on MTX for 9 months now, and it has helped significantly with my arthritis. BUT, in the last couple of months I have been getting the worst headaches I have ever had. As soon as I have a week of the MTX these go away and I feel much better. I fear that I cannot continue with this med at the moment.

[Kyasarin14]

i hated methotrexate, it didnt help me at all. Nothing helps me at all. Ive been on high doses of Prednisone for 8 years and ive lost my hips, and im losing my knees and shoulders. Ive been on so many different meds that did nothing for me. I dont know what to do anymore. Everyone seems to find something that works, but not me. I want my life back. I want to live like a 20 yr old should..

[lrstripling]

I know it is hard. But dont give up!! I know because I ave to tell myself that everyday. I am om the same meds, and my body seems to get better then flares up again. I also have fibromyalgia as well . I am too young just turned 29 two weeks ago. and yes and times I feel like my life has been taken. But then I think about people who are in a worster stake than me. So hold on!!!! and be encouraged. The next meds after methotrexate, is the bolgics. I. Maybe that is the right meds for you.

[lrstripling]

My cooment was directed to kyasarin14

[Kyasarin14]

yes i was on remicade, lost my hips while on that. Switched to Enbrel, im still losing more joints, knees are almost gone, shoulders are bad, and am currently in the process of switching from Enbrel to Orencia. Nothing seems to work at supressing the disease, but there's stuff i havent tried yet, so, guess hope is still there..

[lrstripling]

Wow! you are drfinetly a trooper. I pray that this works for you. Even if this does not I believe that something out there will. Just dont give up!!!!!

[dindinha2805]

Please watc the video Jim Humble. I hope it can help you,my sister basicaly is in the same your condition, she tryed Jim Humble supplement for 10 days,but then she start to feel alot nausea (that is normal). The taste is nasty she just can't take it. Be strong!

[kentucy9999]

@lrstripling I'm finding what you're describing. I've been on methotrexate for 12 wks now. About 4 months ago I had a six week "flare up" which was unbelievable. I wanted to die. It was dreadful, not only the swelling and jointt pain but awful malaise and fatigue. During the past 12 weeks I've been better than I was {methotrexate takes awhile to work so it can't be attributed to the metho alone. I start to feel better though begin doing things again and then relapse every time. Frustrating.

[argent2020]

I've been taking Prednisone 10Mg for a while before starting Methotrexate (6 pills per week). So far so good, but as for teh Prednisone, this is my last month (No more refills).

I noticed that Prednisone has being of a lot of help with my breathing & almost asthma free, but I'm concern about my asthma coming back, specially in the Winter.

I'm also taking Iosionid, 1 b6 vit, Depakote & Antara (besides Prednisone & Methotrexate).

[shonaegh1819]

can somebody please help me coz i have been told u get it done in the hospital.

[drzugo]

More videos like this (only for physicians) at symposier (.com)

[Alphawaste123456]

action of methotrexate??

The drug inhibits an enzyme dyhydrofolate reductase preventing folic acid being converted to te

[gorikuri]

THIS was very informative.

[iseedeadmonkeys]

ok thanx for that, i got given a leaflet about methotrexate from my consultant yesterday for me to read up on as he may start me on it in december, i found the video alot easier to digest, thanx again xx

[blikprop]

got a question.what is the effects on a male's sperm using methotrexate?i've been taking 10mg a week for 6 years now,i've heard that you have to stop taking the meds for about 3 months before trying for baby.when i stop i get a bad eye infection,any help.thanks in advance

[curbit13]

Dr. Thompson, this is helpful, but I hope you make more videos on the other DMARDs and biologics.

[curbit13]

this helped me soo much, thanks, Andy!!!