, Methotrexate

[Guest guest]

When I took Methotrexate my doctor first took a baseline chest x-ray as

there is a higher incidence of pneumonia and other " chest " illnesses in

patients taking Methotrexate. He also did blood work initially every 4 weeks

and then after awhile every 6 weeks. I couldn't tolerate the oral but the

injection was good. I ended up taking it with Arava and did exceptionally

well until I had one bout too many of pneumonia and had to stop the

Methotrexate. However, they gave me Minocycline instead with the Arava and

it, too, was very good. I've since had to stop Arava because of liver

problems and now take Cytoxan with the Minocycline.

I see a lot of people are taking Methotrexate. I do hope your doctors are

doing baseline chest x-rays and frequent blood monitoring. I don't know

exactly how often it needs to be done if you are only taking Methotrexate

for DMARD. Perhaps some of you who are more current with taking it can

share. It is a great drug; wish I could have continued taking it.

Elaine in Vegas