Meth/Folic Acid

[Guest guest]

Greetings Priscilla,

I take 1 mg folic acid tablets...daily. Some on the list take it a little

differently. I get mine by prescription, but you maybe able to get them over the

counter? I've never had trouble with mouth ulcers from the Methotrexate.

(fingers crossed). The mouth ulcers that some are talking about in the

group...are

different. I guess you know that...as you have that, too. Thier ulcers are

caused by RS...not the MTX.

With all my present eye problems, I took myself off the Plaquenil. Just

didn't want that to complicate the eye symptoms I now have. I was always tested

for

the Plaquenil...and never had any trouble with retina problem. It did help my

uveitis so much in the beginning. Like so many of our meds...taken long

term...it really stopped being effective a few years ago. I had a good 3 1/2

years

that I can definitely attribute to the Plaquenil. So glad it is continuing to

help you.

My last post to the group was quite fragmented. I was in a hurry to go

shopping with my daughter....first time out driving at any distance. Wasn't bad

at

all and we had a nice time.

Priscilla, over the years...we all have helped each other. We've all been

fortunate to find Rick's group...we've seen, heard and learned a lot from each

other, and a wealth of information is archived. We hear of the new methods that

work....right away. Some people with AS/RS know little of the advancement that

medical science has given us these last few years. They might not have a

cure....but there are things that will help. Hopefully, my children and their

children will not have to go through the crippling this disease can cause from

continued joint inflammation, nor the stomach problems IBD, nor the eye

problems.

Anything that can help alter the progression of these diseases is better than

what we were given...just a short time ago. I was on daily NSAID for 15+

years...even though they helped...it has proved to be not be enough.

Keep plugging along, Granny of 3 :-)

Best wishes, Connie (granny)

[Guest guest]

Hi Connie

Good to hear from you, you have helped me so much over the years. I am

still on Plaquenil since 1997 when you first told us about your benefits

from it then. My eyes have been quiet mostly. When I started Enbrel last

April my doc here said that I would be able to go off the Plaquenil and the

Mobic, so when I tried going off the Plaquenil my eyes started getting red

so I had to go back on it. Didn't realize that it could control my Iritis

so well. and now I have to stay on the Mobic for pain relief.

I will start the Meth shots on Saturday as my nurse friend is coming by then

to help me as I did so badly with the Enbrel shots, always bleeding and

brusing myself.

I have a question about the Folic Acid. What is the dose needed when you

are Metho? Is it a RX or over the counter? Last thing I need is more mouth

sores.

Would you believe I am now a Granny of 3 and will become a Great Aunt in

May. Where does the time go?

Thanks so much, wishing you better days with your eyes.

Priscilla in Tucson

[Guest guest]

Priscilla,

You asked Connie but I wanted to tell you my experience. When I was on

methotrexate, I was on a prescription dose of folic acid, much higher than

you would usually take over the counter. I've read a lot of things that say

the high doses of folic acid greatly reduce the incidence of side effects

from methotrexate.

Good luck!

Janet in SF

ReA since 1973; diagnosed 1997; HLA-B27+

P.S. When I do my injections of Enbrel, I hit veins all the time too. I

have bruises on my arms from allergy shots, bruises on my stomach from

Enbrel, and bruises from I don't know what on my legs. I'm being battered

by the medical profession!