methotrexate

[Guest guest]

I had surgery on my cervical spine on the 2nd of May and all I stopped was my

naproxen for six months.

Jere

[Guest guest]

The antibiotics are because you have had hip and knee replacement. My

dentist informed me that anyone who has had any kind of joint

replacement must take anitbiotics.

I had a finger joint replaces and I do not have to take antibiotics.

So it is best to check with your doctor.

>

> From: Pam Hunt <pamhunt56@...>

> Subject: [ ] Methotrexate

>

> Date: Friday, June 6, 2008, 3:34 PM

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> I take Methotrexate and I'm supposed to have a root canal done on

> Tuesday morning. Does anyone know if I'm supposed to quit taking

the MTX

> before I have the root canal done. I was thinking about having foot

> surgery done at one time for a overlapping toe. My Reumy's PA told

me

> that I would have to go off the MTX for three weeks before the

surgery

> or my foot wouldn't heal properly. Would that apply to having dental

> work done too? I asked the PA at the pain clinic yesterday but she

said

> she didn't know. My Reumy's office never answer the phone I would

have

> to leave a message and it's usually a day or two before they call me

> back. Thanks a lot.

>

> Pam

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for all the replies about taking the Methotrexate. My Reumy's

office called me back Friday evening. But by then you had already

answered my question. His nurse told me he said that I didn't have to

quit taking the MTX before I had the root canal done. He said to tell me

not to take a antibiotic while I was taking the MTX. I told her that I

was taking a antibiotic about a month ago. She asked me if I was on a

antibiotic now and I told her no. She said I'm not supposed to take MTX

and a antibiotic at the same time. I did a search on " methotrexate and

amoxicillin " , and this is one of the results.

" The most serious drug-drug interaction is between amoxicillin and

methotrexate. Amoxicillin and methotrexate compete for secretion into

kidney tubules which decreases the renal clearance of methotrexate and

can lead to toxic levels. If the two medications must both be used then

the dose of methotrexate must be lowered accordingly. "

I was sick for two weeks and couldn't understand what was wrong with me.

Do you think this could be the cause of me being sick. My doctor thought

it was a viral infection. I haven't been to the dentist in two years. I

wasn't on MTX the last time I went to the dentist and they didn't ask me

if I was on any new medications. I'm on 10 mg a week (4 pills).

I put the root canal off until next Thursday since I needed to buy a

tire for my truck. I don't usually have any problems with having a root

canal done but I'm not looking forward to it either. Thanks.

Pam

>

>

> I take Methotrexate and I'm supposed to have a root canal done on

> Tuesday morning. Does anyone know if I'm supposed to quit taking the

MTX

> before I have the root canal done. I was thinking about having foot

> surgery done at one time for a overlapping toe. My Reumy's PA told me

> that I would have to go off the MTX for three weeks before the surgery

> or my foot wouldn't heal properly. Would that apply to having dental

> work done too? I asked the PA at the pain clinic yesterday but she

said

> she didn't know. My Reumy's office never answer the phone I would have

> to leave a message and it's usually a day or two before they call me

> back. Thanks a lot.

>

> Pam

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January

and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have

Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have

been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me

to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of

day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

a

-----

[Guest guest]

Hi a:

Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very

informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every

week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I

couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started

with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how

to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I

was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take

my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2

Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have.

I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I

hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases

to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our

group.

Hugs,

Barbara

--- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi all,

> I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in

January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said

that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and

knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to

reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose

you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> a

> -----

>

>

[Guest guest]

Barbara, thank you so much. I sure hope Im able to take pills, I have a real

phobia about needles. Im going to try and take tonite before bed. Thanks again

a

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi a:

Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very

informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every

week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I

couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started

with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how

to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I

was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take

my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2

Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have.

I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I

hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases

to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our

group.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

> Hi all,

> I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in

January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said

that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and

knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to

reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose

you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> a

> -----

>

>

[Guest guest]

You're welcome a. I hate needles too, and knew I couldn't endure

the pills and nausea any longer. My Rheumy taught me how to inject

myself, and it is so much better doing this. The needle is very small,

you don't feel it, and it doesn't bleed. I hope you will be successful

with the MTX pills. I also hope you will be feeling so much better

soon, and wishing you pain free days.

Hugs,

Barbara

- -- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...>

wrote:

>

> Barbara, thank you so much. I sure hope Im able to take pills, I have

a real phobia about needles. Im going to try and take tonite before bed.

Thanks again a

> [ ] Re: Methotrexate

>

>

>

> Hi a:

>

> Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and

very

> informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every

> week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I

> couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started

> with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me

how

> to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I

> was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I

take

> my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take

2

> Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have.

> I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I

> hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune

diseases

> to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our

> group.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

>

> >

> > Hi all,

> > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica

in

> January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said

> that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and

> knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to

> reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what

dose

> you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out?

> Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> > a

> > -----

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

-Hi a:

I've been taking methotrexate for a couple of years now. I was

diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I started with this drug, and

although I had to stop it at one point about a year ago because my

liver became toxic, I was able to resume after 4 mos. My doctor

started me with 3, increased to 5 to 7 to 10. At 10 my blood work

started coming back with elevated ast and alt levels. SO I changed

rhemys and I am on 5 now, doing great. I take mine on Fri.

evening...never had any side effects other than liver. I hope this

helps you. My best to you!

-- In , " Barbara " <bcreedon@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi a:

>

> Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and

very

> informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX

every

> week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I

> couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started

> with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught

me how

> to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this

time. I

> was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I

take

> my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I

take 2

> Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I

have.

> I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for

me. I

> hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune

diseases

> to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our

> group.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

>

> >

> > Hi all,

> > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia

Rheumatica in

> January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has

said

> that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and

> knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried

to

> reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what

dose

> you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting

out?

> Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> > a

> > -----

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Welcome a,

I can't help with many questions but I can this one. I have been on

mtx for over a year. I started off with 10 MG weekly. My rheummy told

me to take it on Fridays because of the side effects. I take it around

8:30pm. It was increase up to 15 MG but my liver levels went up.

Backed down to 12.5 MG then the 10 MG. I would get nausea every

morning around 7am but I did not throw up. I never got over the

fatigue and the RA is still active.

This week she knocked it down to 5 MG and added Arava 20 MG daily. She

dosen't think this will help but my insurance is a POS (point of

service and it is a p_o_s_) and will not approve the more expeseive

drugs unless I try 2 others drugs that did not worked first. She also

wants me to apply for disability. I didn't see that coming yet. I

thought that I would have to be in pretty much constant pain before

she would suggest that. I am going to try to work until next May. I

will have 35yrs in March and another bithday in May that will greatly

add to my retirement and then I guess I start jumping the SSI hoops.

I wish you luck with the mtx. Some people do have results with it.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lana, I appreciate your kind words. I am definitely planning to take

this slow, because I am already on Pred and trying to get off of it. Everytime

I reduce the Pred I become bedridden with the pain. I took the MTX last nite

and so far this morning dont feel sick or anything, but also dont feel any less

pain. Im sure this takes a while to kick in. Thanks again, a

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

-Hi a:

I've been taking methotrexate for a couple of years now. I was

diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I started with this drug, and

although I had to stop it at one point about a year ago because my

liver became toxic, I was able to resume after 4 mos. My doctor

started me with 3, increased to 5 to 7 to 10. At 10 my blood work

started coming back with elevated ast and alt levels. SO I changed

rhemys and I am on 5 now, doing great. I take mine on Fri.

evening...never had any side effects other than liver. I hope this

helps you. My best to you!

-- In , " Barbara " <bcreedon@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi a:

>

> Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and

very

> informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX

every

> week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I

> couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started

> with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught

me how

> to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this

time. I

> was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I

take

> my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I

take 2

> Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I

have.

> I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for

me. I

> hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune

diseases

> to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our

> group.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

>

> >

> > Hi all,

> > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia

Rheumatica in

> January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has

said

> that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and

> knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried

to

> reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what

dose

> you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting

out?

> Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> > a

> > -----

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much, Shirley. I took it last nite and dont feel sick yet, but I

only took three pills instead of the four prescribed. I know I am a chicken

about these drugs, but I have had so much pain trying to get off the pred. I

havent heard of Arava, will have to research it. I cant take pain pills like

Darvocet or Tramadol, they make me really sick. Thank you again for your kind

words. a

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Welcome a,

I can't help with many questions but I can this one. I have been on

mtx for over a year. I started off with 10 MG weekly. My rheummy told

me to take it on Fridays because of the side effects. I take it around

8:30pm. It was increase up to 15 MG but my liver levels went up.

Backed down to 12.5 MG then the 10 MG. I would get nausea every

morning around 7am but I did not throw up. I never got over the

fatigue and the RA is still active.

This week she knocked it down to 5 MG and added Arava 20 MG daily. She

dosen't think this will help but my insurance is a POS (point of

service and it is a p_o_s_) and will not approve the more expeseive

drugs unless I try 2 others drugs that did not worked first. She also

wants me to apply for disability. I didn't see that coming yet. I

thought that I would have to be in pretty much constant pain before

she would suggest that. I am going to try to work until next May. I

will have 35yrs in March and another bithday in May that will greatly

add to my retirement and then I guess I start jumping the SSI hoops.

I wish you luck with the mtx. Some people do have results with it.

Shirley

[Guest guest]

Hi, sorry to be so late responding to you. I was dx'ed with

Polymyalgia Rheumatica 4 years ago, had had symptoms for months before

the dx. My rheumy wanted to get my pred down, and added a dx of

" unspecified auto-immune disoder " , so I started MTX in Sep 2005. 20

mgs a week, pills, Fri. before bed, Leucovorin the next AM. I never

had any stomach problems, and it helped so much! Had to get the blood

work for liver function done regularly, and no alcohol, but again, I

never had any of those problems. Then, last summer, I started having

tremors in my right hand. A round of testing by a neurologist, and

she determined the MTX was the problem. We tried reducing the dose,

but that didn't help. I quit taking the MTX around the first of the

year; the tremors have mostly gone away - but so has the relief. I

also take Humira (have found that the injections really aren't a big

deal), but can't get lower of the pred than 5 mg a day without the

MTX.

On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM, patandpaula <patandpaula@...> wrote:

> Hi all,

> I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in

> January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that

> I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and

> ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the

> pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started

> with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be

> appreciated. Thank you,

> a

> -----

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi a

I'm on methotrexate to and have been off and on over the last 8 years. I've

been on this course for 2 years now. As I take sulphasalazine as well, I'm

not on a high mtx dose - just 10 mg (4x 2.5mg pills). The usual starting

dose I believe is 7.5 mg and they increase it slowly if necessary, up to a

max of 25mg.

My tip would be to take it on a Friday or Saturday night (as someone else

who replies also does). That way you sleep through the worst of it (if you

have any side-effects that is) and have the next day to rest up if

necessary.

I always feel sick for the first few weeks while my body gets used to it but

then that disappears. I always eat something bland on Friday nights though -

nothing spicy I often feel a bit tired the next day which I think is also

fairly common.

On a positive note, mtx has put two major flares into remission for me, so I

am very grateful for it!!

in NZ

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I took three pills Friday nite and so far no bad side effects.

Thanks for your help a

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi a

I'm on methotrexate to and have been off and on over the last 8 years. I've

been on this course for 2 years now. As I take sulphasalazine as well, I'm

not on a high mtx dose - just 10 mg (4x 2.5mg pills). The usual starting

dose I believe is 7.5 mg and they increase it slowly if necessary, up to a

max of 25mg.

My tip would be to take it on a Friday or Saturday night (as someone else

who replies also does). That way you sleep through the worst of it (if you

have any side-effects that is) and have the next day to rest up if

necessary.

I always feel sick for the first few weeks while my body gets used to it but

then that disappears. I always eat something bland on Friday nights though -

nothing spicy I often feel a bit tired the next day which I think is also

fairly common.

On a positive note, mtx has put two major flares into remission for me, so I

am very grateful for it!!

in NZ

[Guest guest]

Thanks . SOrry about your tremors; that is good to know about that side

effect. I hope I can get off the pred somehow with this MTX before any side

effects set in. I wonder if anyone ever gets totally off pred? thanks again,

a

Re: [ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi, sorry to be so late responding to you. I was dx'ed with

Polymyalgia Rheumatica 4 years ago, had had symptoms for months before

the dx. My rheumy wanted to get my pred down, and added a dx of

" unspecified auto-immune disoder " , so I started MTX in Sep 2005. 20

mgs a week, pills, Fri. before bed, Leucovorin the next AM. I never

had any stomach problems, and it helped so much! Had to get the blood

work for liver function done regularly, and no alcohol, but again, I

never had any of those problems. Then, last summer, I started having

tremors in my right hand. A round of testing by a neurologist, and

she determined the MTX was the problem. We tried reducing the dose,

but that didn't help. I quit taking the MTX around the first of the

year; the tremors have mostly gone away - but so has the relief. I

also take Humira (have found that the injections really aren't a big

deal), but can't get lower of the pred than 5 mg a day without the

MTX.

On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM, patandpaula <patandpaula@...> wrote:

> Hi all,

> I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in

> January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that

> I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and

> ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the

> pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started

> with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be

> appreciated. Thank you,

> a

> -----

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with RA in december and am now on mtx for several

months. I started with 3 pills a week and was raised to 5. Originally

my rheummy wanted to go up to 8, but I responded so well that he

changed his mind. I was told that they up the dose to what is needed,

then after symptoms are in check (if that happens!) they will often

come down to the lowest dose needed to maintain the effect. We upped to

5 becasue clionical trials have indicated that is the lowest dose that

will maintain the effect, my doc told me. I take it right before going

to bed Sat night. At first I had a LOT of sleeping on Sun/mon morning

but I have gradually outgrown that and usually don't have any side

effects any more. I work retail but have an understanding with my boss

not to schedule me on Sun or mon mornigs, just in case. Sometimes a

dose will make me feel blechy just out of the blue, then the next dose

i am fine. Most of the RA fatigue has left me and I have no morning

stiffness, rarely any joint pain of any kind so it has been a real

miracle drug for me. I am hoping it will cotinue to keep this in check

for a long time! Good luck with your treatment and don't forget the

folic acid!

--- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi all,

> I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica

in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has

said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists

and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried

to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me

what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take

starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> a

[Guest guest]

--- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...>

wrote:

>

> Thanks Lana, I appreciate your kind words. I am definitely planning

to take this slow, because I am already on Pred and trying to get off

of it. Everytime I reduce the Pred I become bedridden with the pain.

I took the MTX last nite and so far this morning dont feel sick or

anything, but also dont feel any less pain. Im sure this takes a while

to kick in. Thanks again, a

Oh, another thing - it took a couple weeks for me to feel noticable

relief, but really a couple months to REALLY feel the improvement. So,

hang in there! Good that you seem to have tolerated the first dose

pretty well!

[Guest guest]

I've only had mild relief from the MTX. I take 15 mg per week (6 tablets) and

get really nauseated, tired and a nice headache from it. It was adding the

Humira which really helped me to see some great improvement. I can walk without

limping now! My doctor lowered my dosage down from 8 pills to 6 because of the

fatigue. I also have to take 2 mg of Folic acid every day, or my hair starts

falling out.

Lori

http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

I did. But then I took a low dose only for a few months. Then I learned

about all of the terrible side effects, and weaned myself off of it.

Sue

On Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 08:46 AM, patandpaula wrote:

> Thanks . SOrry about your tremors; that is good to know about

> that side effect. I hope I can get off the pred somehow with this MTX

> before any side effects set in. I wonder if anyone ever gets totally

> off pred? thanks again, a

[Guest guest]

Hi again a

Just to add, mtx takes several weeks to months to work, so you need to be

patient Also, it is not a pain killer but works by helping to suppress

the disease activity (inflammation) in your body. When the disease is

successfully suppressed the pain is reduced.

All the best,

in NZ

P.S: My last flare, the mtx took 4 months before it 'kicked in' but then it

did so dramatically.

[Guest guest]

Ok thanks . Having a really bad time with my hands and arms today; hope it

kicks in quick for me. a

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi again a

Just to add, mtx takes several weeks to months to work, so you need to be

patient Also, it is not a pain killer but works by helping to suppress

the disease activity (inflammation) in your body. When the disease is

successfully suppressed the pain is reduced.

All the best,

in NZ

P.S: My last flare, the mtx took 4 months before it 'kicked in' but then it

did so dramatically.

[Guest guest]

Thank you . I am hoping this helps, boy, my hands are killing me!

thanks again a

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

I was diagnosed with RA in december and am now on mtx for several

months. I started with 3 pills a week and was raised to 5. Originally

my rheummy wanted to go up to 8, but I responded so well that he

changed his mind. I was told that they up the dose to what is needed,

then after symptoms are in check (if that happens!) they will often

come down to the lowest dose needed to maintain the effect. We upped to

5 becasue clionical trials have indicated that is the lowest dose that

will maintain the effect, my doc told me. I take it right before going

to bed Sat night. At first I had a LOT of sleeping on Sun/mon morning

but I have gradually outgrown that and usually don't have any side

effects any more. I work retail but have an understanding with my boss

not to schedule me on Sun or mon mornigs, just in case. Sometimes a

dose will make me feel blechy just out of the blue, then the next dose

i am fine. Most of the RA fatigue has left me and I have no morning

stiffness, rarely any joint pain of any kind so it has been a real

miracle drug for me. I am hoping it will cotinue to keep this in check

for a long time! Good luck with your treatment and don't forget the

folic acid!

>

> Hi all,

> I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica

in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has

said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists

and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried

to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me

what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take

starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> a

[Guest guest]

hi paula, i started on 4 mtx. now i'm on 7 pills every friday, & don't take folic

acid if you're on it. HOPE IT WORKS 4 U!! god bless, melyndagamez 7/7/08

6:45p.m.central

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi all,

  I am new to the group.  I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January

and have been on Prednisone since then.  Now my rheumy has said that I have

Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have

been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred.  He wants me

to take MTX.  Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of

day it is best to take starting out?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thank you,

            a

  -----

[Guest guest]

hi lanae, i just started to read the posts again. i have to ask a question, if u

don't mind? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR U TO NOTICE YOUR LIVER WAS BECOMING TOXIC

BY TAKING THE MTX? i 2 take it 7 pills every friday. i hate it!! but u got back

on it, r u o.k.? god bless,melyndagamez 7/7/08 6:55p.m.central

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

-Hi a:

I've been taking methotrexate for a couple of years now.  I was

diagnosed with RA 2 years ago.  I started with this drug, and

although I had to stop it at one point about a year ago because my

liver became toxic, I was able to resume after 4 mos.  My doctor

started me with 3, increased to 5 to 7 to 10.  At 10 my blood work

started coming back with elevated ast and alt levels.  SO I changed

rhemys and I am on 5 now, doing great.  I take mine on Fri.

evening...never had any side effects other than liver.  I hope this

helps you.  My best to you!

-- In , " Barbara " <bcreedon@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi a:

>

> Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and

very

> informative people.  I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX

every

> week.  I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I

> couldn't take them.  I have a bad stomach plus GERD.  I then started

> with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught

me how

> to give myself  the injection, and have been doing it all this

time.  I

> was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA.  I

take

> my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I

take 2

> Leucovorin pills.    That helps with the slight case of nausea I

have.

> I take my MTX at night, before bedtime.  This works very well for

me.  I

> hope this info. helps you.  Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune

diseases

> to deal with.  Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our

> group.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

>

> >

> > Hi all,

> > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia

Rheumatica in

> January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has

said

> that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and

> knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried

to

> reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what

dose

> you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting

out?

> Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,

> > a

> > -----

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Melynda, did you mean to say do not take folic acid? Cause I have been doubling

up on folic acid since I started the MTX. Is it helping you? Were you ever on

pred? thanks paula

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi all,

I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in

January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I

have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle

have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He

wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what

time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

a

-----