"long time reader, 1st time poster"with a Q re MTX

[Archigav]

Hello fellow flakeyfolk,

First a potted history:

P sufferer for 15 years plus, started at uni and just gradualy got worse and worse each year. I first started to get joint problems 7 years ago and from then on the PA has got worse and worse till now when I haven't had a pain free day for a couple of years. My concern about the P has diminished since the PA acheing and swelling become chronic even though it has continued to get worse. I use various combinations of creams as mentioned by all of you and reccomended by the dermatologist which with continuous application keeps it moderatetly under control.
As I said my main concern is my PA which is really getting me down, I've been to see the Rheumatologist and they recommended I go on Sulf or MTX. I have held off doing this because of the obvious health risks.
In an attempt to reduce my stress levels I moved from the city to a nice quiet rural seaside town in the west coast of Scotland, dispite a better quality of life my PA has got worse.  My wife is pregnant and I'm now at the end of my tether and have been referred again to the rheumatologist and expect the same choices to be offered.

My main concern is the issues relating to fertility, I'm aware of the effects both treatments have on male fertility but no-one seems to be able to give me any advice on the qualatitive aspects. Any drug that effects fertility must be doing some fairly serious stuff to the body, I know that fertility returns but has anyone heard anything regarding potential effects on future sperm production??

Great to have this facility, really appreciate all your posts, information and experiences.

PS this is probably posted in the wrong section, very tired and work is becoming increasingly difficult.

Big happy positive vibes to you all

[david_8]

hi, ya Archigav & welcome

i suppose present health and what dose with any dmard/drugs etc  must play a part

i had a high sperm count but very very lazy

there are some old posts that have touched on this  subject before

? what has your rheumy said  on the subject,  it carries low risk/no risk etc

just do a google  ie  mtx and sperm counts  etc

[catoat]

hiya, MTX - soz can't help u but thot i'd say hiya anyway  

[Archigav]

Thanks for your reply's

Tried the ol Google but the only references seem to be regarding sperm counts, not potential effects it could have in the future once treatment is discontinued, with this i'm refering to feotal defect......you want to give the wee blighter the best chance possible  

[Emerald]

Hiya
Welcome from me too

[Nikki G]

Hi Archigav,
Took MTX about 11 years ago can't comment on male aspect but I now have two healthy boys 8 & 3 who are both perfectly fine. Welcome by the way.
NikkiG

[JUDGE DREDD]

Hello and Welcome Archigav.

[SJ]

Hello and welcome along  

Glad you took the plunge and posted too  

I too have had a good read around over the years with specific interest in the MTX and fertility debate....similar questions have been asked before, and quite understandably too!

I didn't come up with very much more than you did...probably because there is very little research out there on it?

But I do know there are many members here who have either fathered or mothered babies after using MTX after the three month wash out period...and they have all been healthy, happy babes! It isn't so much what the MTX does to fertility whilst you are taking it (it apparently doesn't affect it), but what it can do to the unborn child...because it affects cell structure, littleuns being a mass of cells at conception can have them jiggled around in a not nice way!

I have read that MTX is safely out of the body completely after three months, which is why women are told not to get pregnant until this point...

MTX has been used for P/PA for nearly 30 years...I believe if there was any question of problems with fertility in this period, a doc would have seized the opportunity for a study...

At this point in time, when you are suffering so much and wanting to be an active father for your son/daughter, and there isn't anything else out there for you to try...is it worth giving it a go to see if it can help the quality of your life (and that of you family)?

There are many, many threads on MTX on the boards and it is worth doing a search and looking at people's experiences with it before you make any kind of decision methinks...

SJ

[Guy]

Welcome to the site from me too  

[TrishR]

Hi Archigav, and welcome along from me too  

Sorry no comments on the MTX thing as I have never taken it.

Just wanted to say hello.

Trish xx