Methotrexate

Treatment and medication
1

I am 21 years old and around about 4 years ago I began to have swelling of my knee. I have had one x-ray and two MRIs in this time and both have come back negative.

I have been to my local hospital and been transferred elsewhere. I have been diagnosed with arthitis and also been told no one really knows what it is. I have a lot of fluid round my knee and pain when I walk or squat or basically do anything involving my knee, I cannot cross my legs for an amount of time before it becomes sore and then I have to phsyically push my knee.

I have been googling about similar symptoms and all have said about negative MRIs then when a surgeon has been in with a scope then have found something.

I have asked my doctor and she has said there is no way a surgeon will scope my knee because there is too much fluid.

She has now said I have to be put on methotrexate but I am afraid of the side effects and is this really all I could be put on?

Any advise would be helpful. 

Thank you. 

2

Hi Georgia Toddy,

I got put on methotrexate in December for sarcoid. I take 15 mg 1 day a week. It hasn't been too bad. I get really tired the day after taking it and have occasional nausea. Do not drink alcohol for at least 48 hrs after, you will regret it. I actually pretty much quit drinking, have an occasional glass of wine or beer but not 1-2 a day as before. I haven't had any hair loss either. I also take folic acid every day, helps with the side effects. Hope this helps and I hope your knee gets better.

Chris

3

Hello Georgia

I have had RA since 2012&am now 72.Your first step would appear to be getting knee drained of xcess fluid&then an injection in side of knee.

Unfortunately Metho.is needed to keep RA at bay.I have researched alternatives&they all have side effects.

Until steroids have been received use knee as little as poss.to avoid perm.damage&future replacement.

It also helps to eat quality food without sugar.

4

Wow you are so young to have these problems! Is it only your knee or do you have other joints/areas that are painful? You should probably have some lab work done! Something called an ANA (anti nuclear antibody) test. That should show if you have some autoimmune disorder like Rheumatoid Arthiritis (which is sounds like you might have) or even Lupus (I have that). I take Methotrexate once a week (important to take it same day and time each week!) In the beginning it made me nauseaous and I had to stay near the bathroom because of diarrhea. It was just for 2 days. DO NOT HAVE ANY ALCOHOL or will be even sicker. Methotrexate is a powerful drug and for me it has been a life changer, the only drug that has helped me out of my misery. Good luck! Get some labs and more solid answers!

5

Hi. I had the same symptoms about 10 years ago. I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, even though the psoriasis happened at the same time. The doctors first emptied my knee from fluid (simply by siphoning out the liquid with an injection)and then operated to check if there was any damage in the knee. I have been on Methotraxate since then. My knee is much better but if I stop the methotraxate my knee (and other joints) become stiff. Good luck!