Methotrexate inhibits the immune system, it interferes with cell replication, which may assist in cancer therapy, however, the benefits to those who have rheumatoid arthritis, if any, may be short lived, and the side effects may be life threatening. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered to be an auto-immune disease, which means your own immune system has overacted to a perceived threat and has gone into overdrive.
Treating an already comprised immune system with an immune system inhibitor may make superficial sense, but adding to an existing problem with such a toxic drug would appear to be adding fuel to the fire. Why has your immune system chosen to attack you instead of protecting you? Long term use of antibiotics for everyday bacterial infections may have contributed to a weakened immune system.
A healthy immune system is capable of destroying infections,unfortunately the over enthusiastic prescribing of antibiotics has reduced the immune system to helplessness, it has in many cases lost its intelligence and therefore its ability to protect its owner. Taking a powerful toxic drug such as Methotrexate and expecting it to help your rheumatoid arthritis is being unrealistic.
Your body is already ailing if you have rheumatoid arthritis, how can you recover your health if you take a drug which can produce the following side effects: Ulcerative stomatitis, leukopenia, nausea, and abdominal distress. Other frequently reported adverse effects are malaise, undue fatigue, chills and fever, dizziness and decreased resistance to infection. Gingivitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, hematemesis, melena, gastrointestinal ulceration and bleeding, enteritis, pancreatitis. Suppressed hematopoiesis causing anemia, aplastic anemia, leukopenia and/or thrombocytopenia. Pericarditis, pericardial effusion, hypotension, and thromboembolic events (including arterial thrombosis, cerebral thrombosis, deep vein thrombosis, retinal vein thrombosis, thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolus). Headaches, drowsiness, blurred vision. aphasia, hemiparesis, paresis and convulsions have also occurred following administration of methotrexate.
Following low doses, there have been occasional reports of transient subtle cognitive dysfunction, mood alteration, unusual cranial sensations, leukoencephalopathy, or encephalopathy. Conjunctivitis, serious visual changes of unknown etiology. Interstitial pneumonitis deaths have been reported, and chronic interstitial obstructive pulmonary disease has occasionally occurred. Erythematous rashes, pruritus, urticaria, photosensitivity, pigmentary changes, alopecia, ecchymosis, telangiectasia, acne, furunculosis, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, skin necrosis, and exfoliative dermatitis. Severe nephropathy or renal failure, azotemia, cystitis, hematuria; defective oogenesis or spermatogenesis, transient oligospermia, menstrual dysfunction, vaginal discharge and gynecomestia; infertility, abortion, fetal defects. Nodulosis, vasculitis, opportunistic infection, arthralgia/myalgia, loss of libido/impotence, diabetes, osteoporosis, sudden death, and reversible lymphomas.
Reference: Medline Drug Database Methotrexate destroys folic acid, possible problems from folic acid deficiency may include: Irritability, anemia, diarrhea, fatigue, forgetfulness, loss of libido, leupkopenia, mental apathy, red tongue, intestinal lesions, reproductive failures, and skin disorders. Vitamin C can increase the toxicity of Methotrexate.
Rheumatoid arthritis can be treated with a change of diet, no need to grab anything else, change your diet to low protein, no alcohol, no tobacco, no sodas either diet or ordinary, no over processed food from the supermarket, no trans fats as found in margarines and crackers. Eat loads of fresh organic green vegetables , and some fruit, wheatgrass, supplement with krill oil, and flaxseed meal, and you will see an improvement in your health. Continue to take prescription drugs and you may experience some temporary relief to your pain, but then follows all the possible side effects of the NSAIDs you may be taking, and of course the dreaded Methotrexate, which also may produce a rebound effect. You may think this drug has your arthritis under control,stop taking it, and back it will come with a vengeance.



