Arthritis

[YvonneM]

My husband has been to see the arthritis specialist today and he wants to put him on a drug called METHOTREXATE has anyone personal knowledge of this drug cos reading the leaflet it can have rather scary side effects

[shaneystar2]

I was put on this when they diagnosed me with rheumatoid arthritis about eight years ago.
Thing is Yvonne what suits one doesn't suit another.It helped the pain but I came off it because of the side affects.
It can affect the immune system and I found on top of the RA I was getting colds and became anaemic.It also gave me stomach cramps and diaorrhea.I was lucky in that the RA burnt itself out after a while but left me with osteoarthritis. I have had the whole gamut of drugs including Vioxx , Arthrotec and Infliximab.....all with horrible side effects.These days I don't take anything but painkillers and have gone down the natural route of good diet ,weight loss and keeping as mobile as I can.
Your husband can but try them but if he has any adverse reaction then go straight back to specialist.Good luck.... hope he soon feels better.

[YvonneM]

Thanks Shaney its as he thought it sounds as if the side effects are worse than the complaint it takes declofenac at the moment

[shaneystar2]

Hi again yvonne .
Declofenac is the same sort of thing as the Arthrotec .
To be quite frank I think these drugs can do more harm than good.They can affect your kidneys and all sorts of other things.There was a big case in America not long ago about the effects of Vioxx on the heart .I think it has been taken off the drugs register now.
I know arthritis is B .painful at times but I feel so much better without these drugs.Watching what I eat ..taking natural supplements and trying to ride out the pain.Keeping mobile by swimming and walking as much as possible.
I found this site and the links really helpful.
http://www.cot.org.uk/specialist/narot/links.p hp
I do wish you both all the best .Try anything once !

[campbellking]

Methotrexate is one of the stronger drugs known as 'disease modifying'. It can, as stated, have very serious side effects, particularly with those people with a high alcohol consumption. If he were to go on it, he would need regular blood tests and close monitoring.
My friend has recently gone on to this for her M.S. and is not as yet suffering side effects.

[xJx]

I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthtitis a year and a half ago (I'm only 21 now). My specialist put me on Methotrexate straight away and I can honestly say after coming off the Prednislone I have only ever had one day when the pain was unbearable. I take the MTX every Sunday and folic acid on a Friday to combat any side effects. I feel absolutly great and wouldn't know I have the illness. I've felt like this ever since I started the drugs and have only had the odd day when I've had a flare up but this usually goes within 2/3 days. Of course the effectiveness of each medication depends on the person but I would reccommend it 100%. I've never experienced any side effects. I have even carried on with my gymnastics training and coaching 4 days a week. Although it may seem now that having arthritis is a terrible thing, when you find the drug that will keep your husbands under control its really not all that bad. The way I see it I feel lucky not to have anything more serious. So both try to keep positive and work with your specialist to find the medication that is best suited to your husband. Feel free to ask anymore questions, I'm quite clued on this topic. x

[YvonneM]

Thanks xJx My husband has osteo and is worried about the side effects cos he likes to go to the pub for a drink most nights Do you have to have regular blood and urine tests?