Guest guest Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 Sierra, My experience with starting on it was just fine! I took the folic acid for a couple of days BEFORE I started so I had some in my system and then continued to take it. I'm up to 9 a week and all I have for problems is a small headache on the evening of the day I take it and a little fatigue through the day after. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me! Robin on 4/8/04 7:31 AM, snowdrift52003 at snowdrift52003@... wrote: > Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my > rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. > Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other > beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to > take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side > effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there > anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? > I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential > next step. > > Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 Sierra: I have had no bad reactions at all to oral methotrexate. Maybe you won't either! Good luck. gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I loved Methotrexate! I was on it, successfully, for 8 years. I took up to 20 mg orally and had few side effects for most of the time I took it. I did develop nasty mouth sores a couple of times but Leucovorin after Meth. and daily folic acid seemed to do the trick. I learned to take my Meth. at night so I could sleep through the nausea. But, after a year of taking the drug, I had no nausea at all if I took it with food. The only reason I came off Mehtotrexate was because of wanting to get pregnant and Methotrexate CANNOT be taken by men or women who want to conceive. But if I could, I'd have a baby and then go right back on Methotrexate. I did not have 100% success on Methotrexate. I still did have pain but it did slow down the progession of my disease and did so with minimal interference to my life (by that I mean there were no injections, just some pills that I had to take once a week). I also took Ibuprofen and Prednisone. I have looked into the new TNF inhibitors and my doctor even prescribed one for me but I have not started it yet. I don't think I want to because of the unknown long term effects. I did get relief from Methotrexate and I would rather go back on that when the time is right. Methotrexate has been used for over 50 years and we KNOW the long term effects. Sorry so long and drawn out but maybe you will be lucky, like me, and have a good experience with oral Methotrexate. It's a great drug and has done wonders for many people, myself included. Best wishes, > Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my > rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. > Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other > beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to > take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side > effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there > anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? > I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential > next step. > > Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 8, 2004 Report Share Posted April 8, 2004 I've been on oral Methotrexate for about two years with no noticeable side effects. I do drink 2 liters of water a day in addition to about the same amount of other fluids and I take 1 mg Folic acid daily. Currently I'm on 15 mg Methotrexate and 6 mg/kg Remicade and pretty well controlled. When I was on a higher amount of Methotrexate (I think 20 mg) I did get some lung problems that might have been made worse by Methotrexate (or maybe not) so the RD cut me back to 15 mg and no trouble since. Good luck and God bless. ----- Original Message ----- From: snowdrift52003 Rheumatoid Arthritis Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2004 5:31 AM Subject: MTX beginnings Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it?I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential next step.Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Sierra, Usually your rheumy will start you off on a pretty low dose of MTX, and then gradually build up if needed. They also monitor you closely at the beginning to make sure that you don't do damage to various organs. I didn't have any problems with oral MTX until I got up to 20 mg a week. At that point I started having a lot of nausea and switched to the injectable variety. Since then I have occasional problems, but not anything major. I've been on it for almost 5 1/2 years and my lab work is still clear. I do have a glass of wine every once in awhile - with my docs approval since I haven't shown any liver damage. Don't be afraid of the drug - we each react differently and you may find that you don't have any problems at all. If it helps, it may be worth it! Beth > Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my > rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. > Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other > beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to > take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side > effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there > anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? > I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential > next step. > > Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2004 Report Share Posted April 9, 2004 Sierra, I started with oral MTX. It was about 10 mg dose. It caused what I called the " yuckies " for a day or so after taking it. It wasn't to bad, but I was a little more tired and just felt like I had a bad cold coming on. Once in a while my mouth got a little tender. After a few months either the yuckies lessened or I got used to them or they weren't as bad as in the beginning. Injections are MUCH better as far as I'm concerned. I feel absolutely nothing after my injection and the dosage is more than what the oral was. Best of luck and God Bless, Jay > Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my > rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. > Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other > beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to > take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side > effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there > anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? > I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential > next step. > > Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 Ida, I am glad it worked for you with no side effects. 7.5mg is a low dose of MTX per week. I got nastly side effects when I was on pills at that dose when I first started out. I also got lung involvement which is one of the worst side effects and potentially fatal one of MTX. I also got relief from MTX within the first two weeks I was on it. By four weeks my joints were feeling so much better but the side effects were trying to kill me! I take 15-17.5mg per week via injection. If I was to go back down to lower dosages it would do nothing for my RA but I would have absolutely no side effects. There are some people taking as much as 37.5mg per week..lots of pills or one pretty large injection! LOL I take leukovorin with my MTX because of the side effects. The folic acid was doing nothing. Toni In a message dated 4/10/04 8:35:07 AM Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes: Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 08:52:21 -0700 (PDT) From: Abdul Hamid Roslida <roslida68@...> Subject: Re: MTX beginnings I ve been taking oral mtx for the past few years already and i nvr had any prob with it. I didnt know that some ppl cant take it orally till i read the posts in the newsgp. Actually i did take it for a year before that, been stopped for a few yrs and started it again 3 yrs ago. I know this kinda DMARD is a slow acting drug. I did take it for granted before , but somehow when i 'stopped" taking it for amonth, i flared up and neither steroid nor COX-2 inhibitor cud overcome it. I was back into "normal" condition, no pain and no body aching when i continued taking mtx.back. I m into 7.5 mg/weekly now. and so far is still so ggod. No liver damaged or watsoever. Ida Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2004 Report Share Posted April 10, 2004 I took my 3rd dose oral TMX (7.5) this morning. I was so scared to start taking it but so far nothing but good to report. No hair loss or anything. I also take Folic acid daily. Before I had to get a disabled placard and a cane because of the pain walking. Yesterday, I parked in normal parking and walked in the mall-tolerable discomfort. Not 100% but about 80% is good. Hands still stiff at night and morning but lossen up in a few minutes in the am. (better than an hour!!) I get a little queezy the day after I take it but otherwise ok. Still on Prednisone too (15mg daily). Hang in there! ) > Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my > rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. > Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other > beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to > take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side > effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there > anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? > I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential > next step. > > Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2004 Report Share Posted April 15, 2004 I have had no problem so far with methatrexate. Been on it for years, originally took 4 pills a week then reduced it to 3 pills a week. I am now taking 3 pills every 2 weeks and my Doc says the less I take the better as long as I can tolerate it. I'm also taking folic acid which helps with the side effects which I have experienced none to date. I am very active, not because I want to be but because my work keeps me active which I believe has helped me over the years. I've learned to live with the pain and being so active has helped my muscles stay strong even though my joints have deteriorated to the point where I needed an occasional hip or knee replacement. Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 17, 2004 Report Share Posted April 17, 2004 sorry to be posting so late to this but have been away on holiday. I have been on oral MTX now for 8 years and apart from a little nausea I sem to have no side effects at all. cheers, ette At 00:31 9/04/04, you wrote: >Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my >rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. >Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other >beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to >take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side >effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there >anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? >I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential >next step. > >Sierra > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 19, 2004 Report Share Posted April 19, 2004 What benefits have you experienced? Sierra > > >Did anyone here have a good experience starting oral MTX? I see my > >rheumy in 2 weeks and it is possible she may recommend it for me. > >Aside from the potential toxicity to my precious liver and other > >beloved organs, I keep reading that oral MTX is simply horrible to > >take. I know that folic acid is a must and will help relieve the side > >effects. And I've gathered that injections are better. Is there > >anyone out there who's had a not so bad experience stating on it? > >I've had a sensitivity to meds, so I'm worried about this potential > >next step. > > > >Sierra > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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