Arthritis Archives

methotrexate side effects (RA)

Has anyone here had any problems resulting from the use of methotrexate? I've been taking it for about 6 years for RA and am having lots of problems with hurting in my back {lungs}. Have been going through this off and on for 4 or 5 years but didn't make the connection. Now it's been bad for about 2 or 3 months and I'm more than a little concerned.

Thanks for any comments and God Bless You.

Follow Ups:

• Re: methotrexate side effects (Archive in RA.) Walt Stoll 08:25:26 6/25/02 (0)
• Re: methotrexate side effects Rebecca-NYC 10:23:30 6/24/02 (0)

In Reply to: methotrexate side effects posted by b333 on June 24, 2002 at 07:36:56:

Yes - I was on methotrexate for 3 years for RA - it about killed me - I didn't know it was a form of chemotherapy and when I complained to my Dr about "side effects", he said oh, that's you, not the drug.

I do not advocate taking the same actions I took, I was stumbling in the dark for a long time, but this is what I did. I took myself off the drug (cold turkey) - and tried Chinese medicine, ayurvedic medicine, colonics, vitamins, herbs - anything I could find, I spent thousands of dollars, my RA was back full blown within 6 weeks, it was horrible - as I am sure you know. The things I tried staved it off for a shortwhile, but it always came back -

Then I found, through this web site 3 very important pieces of information - the fact that most RA cases can be addressed through SR (Skilled Relaxation - see archives), exercise (when you're strong enough) and diet change -

My RA, probably all RA, is caused by body bracing (see archives) and LGS (leaky gut syndrome - see archives) -

When I began to heal my gut through the use of an amino acid called L-Glutamine (there's a product called permavite that is especially good) - and diet change (see elimination diet in archives - then metabolic diet) my life has become my own again -I've been off methotrexate for 2 yrs - I only found this info 6 months ago - but since, I have stabilized, and make weekly progress in reclaiming my health.

This took time and will take more time, as I am about 85% recovered - but no drugs - a few vitamins and daily SR, exercise and change in diet.

Dr Stoll will be better at responding any potential question as to whether or how to reduce your intake of methotrexate, if that's what you want - and there are other helpers on this board, Labrat, Helping You, Rick, etc. who are compassionate, knowledgeable and responsive to questions and needs when addressing chronic illnesses like ours.

Good luck -

In Reply to: methotrexate side effects posted by b333 on June 24, 2002 at 07:36:56:

Hi, b333.

I disagree with Rebecca NYC. I think she has put this at least as well as I could have. Personal testimonials make more difference than anything I can say, anyhow! Thanks, Rebecca NYC!

In MY opinion, Methotrexate is a stupid way to approach RA!

Let us know what you learn. Go to the glossary for any unfamiliar terms and then to the archives. This might take you many hours but you really do not have any choice!

Walt