methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Hi Paris,

Call the nurse at your rheummy's office. She will let you know how

to change days. My Dr.'s nurse always checks with her before she

tells me anything, but never minds my calling with concerns.

Yesterday my rheummy told me, it is OK to do the blood work bi-

monthly. This is after all of this time that I have been going

monthly. I guess as long as the blood work is OK, 2mos is fine.

I truly am glad that the MTX is helping so much.

Take care, Sweetie.

Shirley

>

> Shirley and all,

>  

> I'm so glad you mentioned this.  I takeMTX on Sun and Mon and Tues

I have bad days.  Achy days.  I call them Hangover days.  I guess

I'm glad to hear that 's part of the medicine.  Do you know what I

would need to do if I wanted to switch taking in on Sun to Friday? 

I plan on asking my dr but apt not until Oct. 

>  

> Other than that, I have no bad side effects from MTX.  No stomache

issues etc.  The folic acid keeps the mouthsores away and when I did

get one I doubled the folic acid till it was gone.  I get my blood

test every two mths....should I ask for every month? 

>  

> I know I have improved with MTX.  I would say about 75% and I have

been on it for almost 3 months.

>  

> Good luck.  Paris

[Guest guest]

dd,

 

thanks.  With all the side effects it makes me nervous.  I may call my doc

rather than wait for the apt.  Paris

Re: [ ] Re: Methotrexate

In a message dated 9/5/2008 2:54:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time, 

sdfprs@... writes:

>Do  you know what I would need to do if I wanted to switch taking in on Sun

to  Friday?  I plan on asking my dr but apt not until Oct.  >

I have a friend who has experienced chemo-therapy. I was told I could go 8 

days with Mtx. My friend said they don't like you going backwards -- like six 

days, but you can go 8 days, So you take it on Sunday one week, then Monday 

until you get to Friday -- my opinion and It's good that you are going to ask 

your doc.

dd

**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog,

plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.     

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

[Guest guest]

thanks Shirley.  If I try to go back to work earlier I thought I'd save my bad

days for the weekend to recoup.  Paris

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

Hi Paris,

Call the nurse at your rheummy's office.. She will let you know how

to change days. My Dr.'s nurse always checks with her before she

tells me anything, but never minds my calling with concerns.

Yesterday my rheummy told me, it is OK to do the blood work bi-

monthly. This is after all of this time that I have been going

monthly. I guess as long as the blood work is OK, 2mos is fine.

I truly am glad that the MTX is helping so much.

Take care, Sweetie.

Shirley

>

> Shirley and all,

>  

> I'm so glad you mentioned this.  I takeMTX on Sun and Mon and Tues

I have bad days.  Achy days.  I call them Hangover days.  I guess

I'm glad to hear that 's part of the medicine.  Do you know what I

would need to do if I wanted to switch taking in on Sun to Friday? 

I plan on asking my dr but apt not until Oct. 

>  

> Other than that, I have no bad side effects from MTX.  No stomache

issues etc.  The folic acid keeps the mouthsores away and when I did

get one I doubled the folic acid till it was gone.  I get my blood

test every two mths....should I ask for every month? 

>  

> I know I have improved with MTX.  I would say about 75% and I have

been on it for almost 3 months.

>  

> Good luck.  Paris

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I took my first dose of MTX Thursday. On Friday I woke up slowly, did not

feel achy or nauseous.

I thought maybe the nausea is caused by dizziness. I have never gotten any

type of motion sickness. I live by the ocean and go out on boats often,

maybe that is what makes you sick, the dizziness. I am a dizzy person anyway

marla

-- Re: [ ] Re: Methotrexate

dd,

thanks. With all the side effects it makes me nervous. I may call my doc

rather than wait for the apt. Paris

Re: [ ] Re: Methotrexate

In a message dated 9/5/2008 2:54:08 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

sdfprs@... writes:

>Do you know what I would need to do if I wanted to switch taking in on Sun

to Friday? I plan on asking my dr but apt not until Oct. >

I have a friend who has experienced chemo-therapy. I was told I could go 8

days with Mtx. My friend said they don't like you going backwards -- like

six

days, but you can go 8 days, So you take it on Sunday one week, then Monday

until you get to Friday -- my opinion and It's good that you are going to

ask

your doc.

dd

**************Psssst...Have you heard the news? There's a new fashion blog,

plus the latest fall trends and hair styles at StyleList.com.

(http://www.stylelist.com/trends?ncid=aolsty00050000000014)

[Guest guest]

I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that is

safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is lung

diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and not

ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce my

life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out there

feel the same or had bad side effects...

[Guest guest]

If you're worried, ask your doc how they're going to monitor you for side

effects.  I'd imagine they can order periodic kidney and liver functions to make

sure you're doing well.

[ ] methotrexate

I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that is

safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is lung

diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and not

ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce my

life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out there

feel the same or had bad side effects...

[Guest guest]

Your rheumy will insist on blood work often to check for adverse side

effects. Methotrexate is one of the tried and true meds for RA. It does

cause bad side effects in some people. But just because a side effect

is listed, that doesn't mean that YOU will get all of them. Your rheumy

will keep a close watch for the side effects. Just make sure that you

report them to him/her.

When I was first prescribed MTX and read the brochure about it, I

thought to myself that if it didn't kill me, it might help me. My pain

at that point was so bad that I was willing to try anything. It did

help me, but lowered my white blood cell count too much. My rheumy

switched me to Arava, which continued the decline. Then he switched me

to Enbrel, which has worked wonderfully well for me.

Sue

On Thursday, September 11, 2008, at 04:43 PM, ncat2200 wrote:

> I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that is

> safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is lung

> diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and not

> ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

> situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

> what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

> rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

> medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce my

> life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out there

> feel the same or had bad side effects...

[Guest guest]

I have taken MTX over a year. My liver levels and other factors are

watched closely by my rheummy. They did go up once and she lowered

the dosage. It never happened again. I did not realize how much it

has helped until now. I have been off it for weeks now (due to other

health issues) and I am in distress. I can not wait until tomorrow

to add it back!

MTX has been proven to slow the progression of RA. Like you I had

concerns but I feel it is well worth taking and keeping my blood

monitored. Without it distruction is a fact, but with it, I can

change the outcome.

Some people do try to contol their RA with diet and supplements. It

works for some and not others. I decided not to go this route, since

I already had joint changes.

I hope you can put your stress to rest. Many people here have

achieved remission with MTX. Did your rheummy also give you folic

acid? It helps with the side effects.

Good luck,

Shirley

> [ ] methotrexate

>

>

> I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that

is

> safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is

lung

> diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and

not

> ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

> situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

> what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

> rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

> medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce

my

> life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out

there

> feel the same or had bad side effects...

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hello! I started taking Methotrexate when I was 29. The only side effects I

have are really bad nausea, sometimes diarrhea, and headaches. I also started

having some hair loss until my folic acid was upped to 2mg per day. I usually

take it right before bed so that I can sleep through the worst of it. Some

people take it and experience no side effects - everyone's body is different.

Your doctor will monitor your bloodwork to make sure the Methotrexate isn't

messing up your white blood cell count, as well as damaging your liver or

kidneys.

In rheumatology the dose used for Methotrexate is low compared to those using it

for cancer, so it's not as much of a big deal for us as it is for others. I

remember how scared I was before I started it, but the Methotrexate combined

with Humira has really given me my life back.

I worry about needing medication for the rest of my life sometimes, but it is

what it is. I'm still young (31) and who knows, they may actually find a cure

sometime in my lifetime or I may get to the point that I can reduce my

medication further. I've just learned to accept that this is what I need now to

function and it doesn't mean that I'll need it forever.

Lori

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

http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com

[Guest guest]

I really resisted the meds at first too.  I am not on methotrexate, I'm on

Plaquenil, but my rheumatologist gave me info on mtx in case we needed to switch

to that at some point.  I too hated the thought of taking medicine the rest of

my life.  I am in health care and treat holistically, I do acupressure and other

natural therapies.  I tried diet first and it did reduce the inflammation.  But

I have found these things to be an adjunct to the meds, not a replacement for

them.  I had a flare up a while after starting the meds.  I was not taking them

as often as I was supposed to.  After that, I take them faithfully.  I want to

continue working and stop the progression of this disease.  I'm 45 and single

and need to work as long as possible.  I am really managing pretty well now.  I

am so thankful for these meds.  They have come a long way in the treatment of RA

so people may not have to suffer the way they did a few years ago.

 

Hope this helps,

 

 

 

[ ] methotrexate

I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that is

safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is lung

diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and not

ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce my

life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out there

feel the same or had bad side effects...

[Guest guest]

Cat and group;

Is that your name? Do you want us to call you that? Sorry if I am

wrong I dont see a name to call you? Don't be scared of the MXT hon. I

am guessing its rare side affects they are talking about. Your rheumy

will take blood test to see if there are any problems manafesting from

the MXT before it gets so bad as to cause any organ failures.

I broke out in hives from allergic reaction to the MXT. So I can't

take it. I did not read the side effects. I was in so much pain I

didnt care if I lived or died anyway (because I was in so much RA

pain). The Humira has taken all the RA pain away now. I am so

greatful. I havent looked at the humira side effects either. lol.

Welcome all new people to the group. I love reading everyones post. I

havent answerd a few yet because I read first. I had to comment on

this one cause she/he was so worried about side affects. First thing I

do in the mornings after I wash up, I go straight to my computer and

read my support group posts. I love to hear from all of you.

Those that dont know please make paragraphs it is hard for and me

(lol) to read if there are no paragraphs. said that Long post

are welcome. Also delete all the other post when replying. said

we can leave one post. I guess that is so that everyone will know what

you are commenting on.

gentle kind hugs

Clora

> I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that

is

> safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is lung

> diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and

not

> ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

> situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

> what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

> rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

> medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce my

> life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out there

> feel the same or had bad side effects...

>

[Guest guest]

Cat and group;

Is that your name? Do you want us to call you that? Sorry if I am

wrong I dont see a name to call you? Don't be scared of the MXT hon. I

am guessing its rare side affects they are talking about. Your rheumy

will take blood test to see if there are any problems manafesting from

the MXT before it gets so bad as to cause any organ failures.

I broke out in hives from allergic reaction to the MXT. So I can't

take it. I did not read the side effects. I was in so much pain I

didnt care if I lived or died anyway (because I was in so much RA

pain). The Humira has taken all the RA pain away now. I am so

greatful. I havent looked at the humira side effects either. lol.

Welcome all new people to the group. I love reading everyones post. I

havent answerd a few yet because I read first. I had to comment on

this one cause she/he was so worried about side affects. First thing I

do in the mornings after I wash up, I go straight to my computer and

read my support group posts. I love to hear from all of you.

Those that dont know please make paragraphs it is hard for and me

(lol) to read if there are no paragraphs. said that Long post

are welcome. Also delete all the other post when replying. said

we can leave one post. I guess that is so that everyone will know what

you are commenting on.

gentle kind hugs

Clora

> I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel that

is

> safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is lung

> diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and

not

> ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

> situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know really

> what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

> rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

> medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce my

> life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out there

> feel the same or had bad side effects...

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Cat & group,

I am a 31 year old female and I have been on methotrexate for about 1

yr now. I have not really noticed any side effects, your doctor

should have prescribed you with Folic Acid also, this will help with

your LFT(liver function test)that you are supposed to have done

often. Other than that I have no complaints about side effects. I

do however think that because I am overweight methotrexate is not

right for me. I was having no relief of pain whatsoever!! But I

recently had to go the emergeny room for inflamation in my eye and

the doctor prescribe prednisone for me, I have been on it for about

3 weeks and aside from my face getting a little puffy, I FEEL

GREAT!!!! If I could stay on the prednisone long term. I will go for

that.

Hope this helps

Take Care

>

> Cat and group;

>

> Is that your name? Do you want us to call you that? Sorry if I am

> wrong I dont see a name to call you? Don't be scared of the MXT

hon. I

> am guessing its rare side affects they are talking about. Your

rheumy

> will take blood test to see if there are any problems manafesting

from

> the MXT before it gets so bad as to cause any organ failures.

>

> I broke out in hives from allergic reaction to the MXT. So I can't

> take it. I did not read the side effects. I was in so much pain I

> didnt care if I lived or died anyway (because I was in so much RA

> pain). The Humira has taken all the RA pain away now. I am so

> greatful. I havent looked at the humira side effects either. lol.

>

> Welcome all new people to the group. I love reading everyones post.

I

> havent answerd a few yet because I read first. I had to comment on

> this one cause she/he was so worried about side affects. First

thing I

> do in the mornings after I wash up, I go straight to my computer

and

> read my support group posts. I love to hear from all of you.

>

> Those that dont know please make paragraphs it is hard for and

me

> (lol) to read if there are no paragraphs. said that Long

post

> are welcome. Also delete all the other post when replying.

said

> we can leave one post. I guess that is so that everyone will know

what

> you are commenting on.

>

> gentle kind hugs

> Clora

>

>

>

>

> > I start methotrexate today, I feel really scared I don't feel

that

> is

> > safe I have read a few sites that say it is safe but most it is

lung

> > diesease kidney failure, liver failure sudden death. i am 30 and

> not

> > ready to die. I love my life and this seems like a lose lose

> > situation, take meds die don't and suffer. Does anyone know

really

> > what I need to wacth for? and how safe methotrexate really is my

> > rhemmmy acts like it is no big deal... the thought of being on a

> > medication for the rest of my life and that it may greatly reduce

my

> > life just make me want to take the pain option.... anyone out

there

> > feel the same or had bad side effects...

> >

>