My doctor prescribes methotrexate. Methotrexate (MTX) is a chemotherapy drug that prevents cell reproduction by interfering with folic acid activation. MTX is also used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Although very effective, its use potentially may produce serious side effects including nausea, mouth ulcers, blood problems, liver cirrhosis, and hair loss. Prolonged treatment with MTX may also lead to folic acid deficiency. To reduce the risk of these side effects, without fear of interfering with its efficacy, a maximum daily dose of 5mg of folic acid is recommended for those patients taking MTX on a regular weekly basis. I take Methotrexate once a week and folic acid every day. MTX seems to reduce the inflammation but I also take mega vitamins and supplements. Go to LEF.ORG for more information on natural remedies. I buy most of the remedies that I use from Life Extension but there are many other similar companies with fine products. Recently I have been trying hyaluronic acid tablets and that seems to help but MSM, fish oil, glucosamine, etc. all help your body to recover. As we grow older our bodies do not produce the cartilage, hormones, and all the multitude of natural substances that we need to be healthy so we must provide our bodies with them. I am new to this very interesting forum and find the discussions regarding Drs. Dunn and Stone of great interest because I also have a lack of cartilage in one knee and am considering options other than total knee replacement which I consider much too drastic a solution.
