Methotrexate stories

[DesperatelySeekingInclusion]

Hi all

I have idiopathic retinal vasculitis and after years of managing to avoid it, my consultant is recommending Methotrexate (along with high dose steroids tapering off in first few months). I am absolutely terrified having read the booklet and being given scary information from the nurse as to what to expect. So basically I'm wondering if it's as bad as it sounds? Do people who take it manage to live normal lives?! I have two children, one of whom is disabled and work 2/3 days a week. I can't really be 'out of action'. I'm really hoping there are some positive stories out there! TIA.

I'm on 8 methotrexate tablets a week for rheumatoid arthritis, I sometimes feel nauseous but not all the time. I have a times reduced it to 6 tablets but at the moment I've gone back to 8 because of the pain. The doctor doesn't know I reduce the tablets.

I've been on it since 2011 and it's helped considerably with the pain, if you read leaflets that come with tablets, you'd never take any.

Forgot to mention I'm never out of action, I do my own cleaning and walk my dogs, I take cocodamol if it's really bad. You learn to live with things and adapt.

I am on it and am so grateful for it. I have zero side effects (I know I am lucky and feel thankful) and it's allowing me to enjoy my life while having RA (I do have flare ups so recently switched to injecting it).
Don't be afraid of it OP.

I've been on it for a few years, and my only real issue is bleeding gums. I don't catch anything and everything going round as I assumed I would. And the condition I take it for has never been so well controlled.

I was on this for 15 years and apart from a bit of hair loss now and again I had no side effects at all. I worked full time as a teacher so surrounded by germs but I was careful about handwashing and rarely got ill. It changed my life and reduced myRA to levels that allowed me to work and have a life. You only hear the horror stories online usually - most people don’t feel the need to say when things are going well. Good luck with it.