Guest guest Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 " Adults with rheumatoid arthritis typically begin with a starting dose of 7.5 to 10 milligrams (mg), or 3 to 4 pills, taken all together once a week. The dose may be increased to 20 to 25 mg a week over time if needed. The medication can also be given as an injection under the skin, like insulin, to reduce side effects or when higher doses are needed. Adults with other rheumatic conditions may take similar doses. In children with juvenile arthritis, the dose is based on the patient's weight. " http://rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/methotrexate.asp I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] methotrexate dosage > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out > with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 " Adults with rheumatoid arthritis typically begin with a starting dose of 7.5 to 10 milligrams (mg), or 3 to 4 pills, taken all together once a week. The dose may be increased to 20 to 25 mg a week over time if needed. The medication can also be given as an injection under the skin, like insulin, to reduce side effects or when higher doses are needed. Adults with other rheumatic conditions may take similar doses. In children with juvenile arthritis, the dose is based on the patient's weight. " http://rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/methotrexate.asp I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] methotrexate dosage > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out > with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Thanks ... i guess my dose is starting out high, 6 pills 15 mg..what is everyones personal experience? Faith --------- [ ] methotrexate dosage > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out > with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Thanks ... i guess my dose is starting out high, 6 pills 15 mg..what is everyones personal experience? Faith --------- [ ] methotrexate dosage > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out > with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2005 Report Share Posted February 10, 2005 I was well controlled on 7.5 mg per week for about 8 years. After that it stopped working, so we increased the dosage - eventually up to 20 mg per week, but it never really worked well again. In the end I got side-effects at the high dosage, so was tried on Arava, which also gave me side-effects. By this time I qualified for Enbrel, which is working very nicely. n [ ] methotrexate dosage What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2005 Report Share Posted February 10, 2005 I was well controlled on 7.5 mg per week for about 8 years. After that it stopped working, so we increased the dosage - eventually up to 20 mg per week, but it never really worked well again. In the end I got side-effects at the high dosage, so was tried on Arava, which also gave me side-effects. By this time I qualified for Enbrel, which is working very nicely. n [ ] methotrexate dosage What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? Faith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2005 Report Share Posted February 10, 2005 Hi Faith, I also started at 15 mg and have remained at that dose.Now I have added Humira and so far so good. > Thanks ... i guess my dose is starting out high, 6 pills 15 mg..what is everyones personal experience? > Faith > > --------- [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out > > with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? > > Faith > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2005 Report Share Posted February 10, 2005 Hi Faith, I also started at 15 mg and have remained at that dose.Now I have added Humira and so far so good. > Thanks ... i guess my dose is starting out high, 6 pills 15 mg..what is everyones personal experience? > Faith > > --------- [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most people with RA start out > > with using Methotrexate? And what is the strongest dose used over time? > > Faith > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 n, I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need to qualify for Enbrel? Jessy --- n Green <marian.green@...> wrote: > I was well controlled on 7.5 mg per week for about 8 > years. After that it stopped working, so we > increased the dosage - eventually up to 20 mg per > week, but it never really worked well again. In the > end I got side-effects at the high dosage, so was > tried on Arava, which also gave me side-effects. By > this time I qualified for Enbrel, which is working > very nicely. > > n > [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most > people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? > And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 n, I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need to qualify for Enbrel? Jessy --- n Green <marian.green@...> wrote: > I was well controlled on 7.5 mg per week for about 8 > years. After that it stopped working, so we > increased the dosage - eventually up to 20 mg per > week, but it never really worked well again. In the > end I got side-effects at the high dosage, so was > tried on Arava, which also gave me side-effects. By > this time I qualified for Enbrel, which is working > very nicely. > > n > [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most > people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? > And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Hi Jessy, I live in France, where the system is quite different from the US and even from the UK, but in this respect the UK and France are pretty similar. Because these drugs are so expensive, they try to limit their use to those who really need them and then again to those for whom they really work. The powers that be have written protocols, which the rheumatologists are obliged to respect. In order to " qualify " , I had to have tried a variety of DMARDs and to have failed on all of them. The last one I tried was Arava. Only then was I prescribed Enbrel. My rheumatologist has to follow me up according to a schedule and if I am not well controlled after 6 months, he has to switch to something else. Only rheumatologists in teaching hospitals are entitled to prescribe the biologicals. I can understand why they do this, but was very frustrated for a year while we just kept trying things that didn't work and gave me nasty side-effects, and all the time I could see my joints getting more and more damaged. Because I have a chronic condition all my medical care in relation to this is reimbursed at 100%. France has an excellent health-care system, but it is costing way too much. At present the government is beginning to introduce measures to cut down on abuse and fraud, of which there is much. Kind regards, n [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most > people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? > And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Hi Jessy, I live in France, where the system is quite different from the US and even from the UK, but in this respect the UK and France are pretty similar. Because these drugs are so expensive, they try to limit their use to those who really need them and then again to those for whom they really work. The powers that be have written protocols, which the rheumatologists are obliged to respect. In order to " qualify " , I had to have tried a variety of DMARDs and to have failed on all of them. The last one I tried was Arava. Only then was I prescribed Enbrel. My rheumatologist has to follow me up according to a schedule and if I am not well controlled after 6 months, he has to switch to something else. Only rheumatologists in teaching hospitals are entitled to prescribe the biologicals. I can understand why they do this, but was very frustrated for a year while we just kept trying things that didn't work and gave me nasty side-effects, and all the time I could see my joints getting more and more damaged. Because I have a chronic condition all my medical care in relation to this is reimbursed at 100%. France has an excellent health-care system, but it is costing way too much. At present the government is beginning to introduce measures to cut down on abuse and fraud, of which there is much. Kind regards, n [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most > people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? > And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 jessy... the only way i had to qualify for enbrel was that i tried mtx twice and could not tollerate it so i had to choose which of the biologic's i wanted to use.. and i choose, enbrel... rae [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most > people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? > And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 jessy... the only way i had to qualify for enbrel was that i tried mtx twice and could not tollerate it so i had to choose which of the biologic's i wanted to use.. and i choose, enbrel... rae [ ] methotrexate dosage > > > What is the typical dosage and strength that most > people with RA start out with using Methotrexate? > And what is the strongest dose used over time? > Faith > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 > I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need > to qualify for Enbrel? > Jessy My insurance company requires that I " fail " on methotrexate frst. Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 > I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need > to qualify for Enbrel? > Jessy My insurance company requires that I " fail " on methotrexate frst. Sierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 I had to " fail " on two first before being offered a biologic. Then my insurance company took a month to approve me, during which time I had to stop the other meds. Of course they don't care how much you suffer. They probably would prefer it if we'd just die, I suppose, then they wouldn't have to spend all that money on us. Sue On Friday, February 11, 2005, at 08:54 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote: > >> I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need >> to qualify for Enbrel? >> Jessy > > My insurance company requires that I " fail " on methotrexate frst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 I had to " fail " on two first before being offered a biologic. Then my insurance company took a month to approve me, during which time I had to stop the other meds. Of course they don't care how much you suffer. They probably would prefer it if we'd just die, I suppose, then they wouldn't have to spend all that money on us. Sue On Friday, February 11, 2005, at 08:54 PM, snowdrift52003 wrote: > >> I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need >> to qualify for Enbrel? >> Jessy > > My insurance company requires that I " fail " on methotrexate frst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Sue, That is so ridiculous that you had to stop the meds!!!! They don't care, I can't believe they can do all this. It's ashamed that we have to stand for this. I hope that you get one of the biologics soon. Do you know which one your trying? Let us know when you start your med, which I hope is soon, Tawny > > > >> I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need > >> to qualify for Enbrel? > >> Jessy > > > > My insurance company requires that I " fail " on methotrexate frst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 11, 2005 Report Share Posted February 11, 2005 Sue, That is so ridiculous that you had to stop the meds!!!! They don't care, I can't believe they can do all this. It's ashamed that we have to stand for this. I hope that you get one of the biologics soon. Do you know which one your trying? Let us know when you start your med, which I hope is soon, Tawny > > > >> I am on Methotrexate, but am curious. Do people need > >> to qualify for Enbrel? > >> Jessy > > > > My insurance company requires that I " fail " on methotrexate frst. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 Don't worry, Tawny, Sue has her Enbrel now. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Re: methotrexate dosage > > > Sue, > That is so ridiculous that you had to stop the meds!!!! They don't > care, I can't believe they can do all this. It's ashamed that we > have to stand for this. > I hope that you get one of the biologics soon. Do you know which one > your trying? Let us know when you start your med, which I hope is > soon, Tawny > > > > > >> I had to " fail " on two first before being offered a biologic. Then > my >> insurance company took a month to approve me, during which time I > had >> to stop the other meds. Of course they don't care how much you > suffer. >> They probably would prefer it if we'd just die, I suppose, then > they >> wouldn't have to spend all that money on us. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 Don't worry, Tawny, Sue has her Enbrel now. I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Re: methotrexate dosage > > > Sue, > That is so ridiculous that you had to stop the meds!!!! They don't > care, I can't believe they can do all this. It's ashamed that we > have to stand for this. > I hope that you get one of the biologics soon. Do you know which one > your trying? Let us know when you start your med, which I hope is > soon, Tawny > > > > > >> I had to " fail " on two first before being offered a biologic. Then > my >> insurance company took a month to approve me, during which time I > had >> to stop the other meds. Of course they don't care how much you > suffer. >> They probably would prefer it if we'd just die, I suppose, then > they >> wouldn't have to spend all that money on us. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 , I'm glad she has it, cannot imagine being off the RA meds for long, hugs Tawny > >> I had to " fail " on two first before being offered a biologic. Then > > my > >> insurance company took a month to approve me, during which time I > > had > >> to stop the other meds. Of course they don't care how much you > > suffer. > >> They probably would prefer it if we'd just die, I suppose, then > > they > >> wouldn't have to spend all that money on us. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 , I'm glad she has it, cannot imagine being off the RA meds for long, hugs Tawny > >> I had to " fail " on two first before being offered a biologic. Then > > my > >> insurance company took a month to approve me, during which time I > > had > >> to stop the other meds. Of course they don't care how much you > > suffer. > >> They probably would prefer it if we'd just die, I suppose, then > > they > >> wouldn't have to spend all that money on us. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2005 Report Share Posted February 12, 2005 Tawny, this was a couple of years ago. Mtx and Arava had caused my white blood cell count to get too low, so I couldn't keep taking them. Of course the insurance company didn't care how I would manage while they were dilly-dallying around before approving the Enbrel. I've been on Enbrel now for almost two years, and it's working extremely well for me. This year they did raise my co-pay for Enbrel from $25 to $40, but I can't complain because that's still a bargain, LOL. Sue On Saturday, February 12, 2005, at 12:10 AM, tdianaok wrote: > > That is so ridiculous that you had to stop the meds!!!! They don't > care, I can't believe they can do all this. It's ashamed that we > have to stand for this. > I hope that you get one of the biologics soon. Do you know which one > your trying? Let us know when you start your med, which I hope is > soon, Tawny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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