Methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Hello my name is jerome ,i'm musicien and i'm living in Australia ,

Welcome to the group Jerome...

Love and Peace Always

Shaun and Barb

[Guest guest]

wrote:

Due to on-going spine / neck pain, my rhuemie has just upped my

prescription to Methotexate (?) (6 to 8 tabs per week with blood

tested every two months). I'm a bit worried about taking any drug.

Does anyone have any experience w/ this drug? Next in line will be

Imuran (?) 1 tablet 2x per day w/ blood tests every three months.

Thanks,

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

Hello

Off-hand i'd say that your Rheumy whoever it is , has begun to

take your talk of symptoms quite seriously..These medicines you're

taking right now are second-line medicines and no doctor would be

prescribing them if they thought your symptoms were merely a figment

of your imagination..It looks like you've finally found someone who

is willing to listen to you---and in a serious wasy.....

Please don't be intimidated by low doses of metho..They can only help

your condition..Just be sure to take Liz's advice and use one or two

mgs of folic acid / per day although i suspect your Rheumatologist

has already ordered them for you..

Personally i've been using methotrexate (7 or 8) tabs/day for over 5

yrs and so far it has acted just as they were prescribed ..They do

slow down your immune system but not to the point where you become

susceptible to a whole panoply of antigens as has been suggested

once or twice...To use a well-worn cliche, the disease we all have is

not the trigger;; " but the immume system's mistaken reaction to the

antigen " ,,Our systems are literally running at full speed trying to

counteract a germ which is no longer in our system.. And that's

precisely why the best minds in the medical profession have studied

the Syndrone and come up with some erstwhile solutions such as

Methotrexate and now Anti-TNF meds like Enbrel..The doctors who are

prescribing our meds are mostly brilliant people and noone should

underestimate their diagnosis as well as their dedication to making

you well again..They deserve that much respect..

I've been fortunate to see them up close and personal because as

Residents they are all works-in-progress,,,I have a Chief Resident

who is way smarter than me or practically anybody else..I have

complete faith in him and if I had any doubt it melted away after i

did a Google search under his name..He's only 29 and already he has

two pages on Google.

Stick with this Rheumy because he or she has taken you seriously and

will only do you a lot of good..Your hair won't fall out, your teeth

will not rot and you won't catch any more colds than normal if you

take just 7 or 8 per week..On the contrary you will begin to notice a

reduction in your level of inflammation and some pain within a

month..And if you haven't already done so be sure to follow up with

the MRI or X-Ray of your hip..as well as the bone-scan These tests

were the ones that concluded my diagnosis and I'm extremelly glad i

had them..Both Rheumatologists who diagnosed me had X-Rays and MRI's

done of my sacroilliac..Like I said in a post last month, my doctor

at HSS in NYC sent the results of the Radioligst's reading which

pointed to Spondyloarthropathies of one sort or another,,with a note

that the, reading " confirmed the diagnosis " (of Reiter's)

jeff

[Guest guest]

My son, started on MTX when he was 10. Our doctor at CHOP-Phila., said the

injectable form was most effective and didn't even suggest that we use the pill

form. It worked very well. He tapered off for 3 years and was free of

symptons for 9 months when he regressed to the active symptons of swollen joints

and

pain. My son will start this week back on the weekly injection.

These are the side effects we observed him experience:

* some hair loss - not much - just a patch.

* easily tired - this one is tough because you don't think to attribute his

being tired to his illness and then the medicine. We notice it because our son

plays hockey and we give him gatorade to sustain his energy through game end.

* any small virus or bacterial infection going around school, he may catch

and then get's it worse because the MTX suppresses the immune response. So, you

have to be on guard that a cold can turn into a respitory infection quickly.

You have to get flu shots - the whole family. You really can see the effect

of cleanliness or lack of it in your child.

* get a supply of folic acid to take daily because they get cold sores that

really hurt. You can get it in the vitamin department but your doctor can also

prescribe the right quantity.

* feed extra calcium because the disease, the medicine and the tendency to

inactivity with this disease all contribute to bone density loss. I always give

him a huge glass of milk at each meal and refill it when he empties it. I

sometimes have left over milk that i use for coffe the next day. I only buy

calcium enriched orange juice. I put out yogurt for snacks. He loves

mozzerella.

he won't take the calcium candies.

* make sure he stays active. My sons' form of JRA seems to be ankylosing

spondylitis. So, he needs to do things to maintain range of motion. We are

going to go to a physical therapist to establish a program. I am wondering if I

should introduce him to tai chi and yoga.

I have come to realize that this will be with him all his life. So, I am

trying to foster life habits. It has been good for me to think this ay too.

O'Connor

son, Carrick, onset 9, JRA-spondy, age 14 now.

[Guest guest]

I'll jump in...

methotrexate (mtx) for arthritis is given in such minute amounts that the

'scariness' you read about in literature doesn't really apply. The

literature is discussing mtx given in much larger amounts, for cancer

patients.

However, as e said, mtx can be hard on the stomach. I couldn't

tolerate the oral form, and am now on injections. Research has shown that

the injections make the drug more bioavailable and get into the system

better. Injection may be the way to go, but a lot of rheumies try oral

first to see if they can get good response. My son is on oral (yes we

both have arthritis). Since your son already has tummy issues, you may

want to discuss that fact with the rheumy.

While on mtx, liver function needs to be watched and monitored. Most

people tolerate it quite well, but there is the rare event where it

raises liver enzymes too much and must be discontinued. If mtx fails,

most rheumies move quickly to one of the biologic drugs.

There is little else available out on the market to stop joint damage.

Celebrex is doing little for your son to stop joint damage, and it is

time to move on. As we say in the nursing biz, time is joints saved!

I hope that this helps.

and Rob, 17, Spondy

On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 06:27:54 -0000 " Carolyn Goedike "

<dylansmommy42298@...> writes:

Hello Everyone,

I have been a 'silent member' for five years but lately, I seem to

have a lot of questions and I thank all of you for your help. I

have another one to add to the list.

My son, Dylan, is eight. He's had pauciauticular JRA since the age

of three. Today, we were told by his rheumy at UCLA that it has

progressed to polyauticular. We kind of suspected this because he

has a few more joints that are involved now. He's been taking

Celebrex, but it doesn't seem to be doing the job. His rheumy wants

us to consider Methotrexate. When I read about this drug, it scares

me to death! Also, Dylan has acid reflux and esophagitis.

Interestingly, he doesn't have much pain except for one ankle and

one finger. And, his sed rate is normal, which I guess can be

pretty common.

Can any of you give me your experiences/knowledge of methotrexate,

and if there is anything else out there for our kids to take? Right

now, his right knee, both ankles and two fingers are affected. I

worry about what methotrexate will do to his already damaged

esophagus and acid reflux, along with many other worries.

Thank you so much for your help.

Carolyn

mom to Dylan

Herth Schulz

Precious Helpers Horse Farm

www.precioushelpers.org

A Cost-Free Christian Riding Therapy Program

[Guest guest]

Just a few comments I pulled from www.uveitis.org. They pertain to this

thread. Dr. is the world's leading specialist on the treatment of

uveitis. Though your son may not be dealing with this eye disease, the

comments still apply to anyone taking mtx (low dose).

Posted Wednesday, July 26, 2006 02:37:05 PM

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

Dr. ,

What are the long term effects of low dose metotrexate in children? Can

there be any effects years after stopping the drug?

Thank you *csf<http://forums.uveitis.org/index.php?pid=view_profile & user=csf>

*

Total Posts: 495

Posted Thursday, July 27, 2006 04:27:44 AM

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

Not that I know of. The experience stretches back at least 30 years in kids

with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

csf

Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006 01:29:05 PM

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

I guess my concern re: immunosuppressants and cancer comes from all the

literature available from the manufacturers as well as other consumer groups

who keep data. Because of making the skin extra sensitive to sun's rays as

well as lowering white cell counts,etc. can allow cancer cells to

grow.ThisI read re: Cellcept,MTX,Remicade and Imuran.

*csf <http://forums.uveitis.org/index.php?pid=view_profile & user=csf>*

Total Posts: 495

Posted Saturday, July 22, 2006 05:47:21 PM

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

O.K. Now read the package insert for antibiotics, such as tetracycline.

My suggestion: try leaving the driving of the bus to bus drivers who drive

for a living, and/or read the medical literature, not just the package

inserts that drug manufacturers produce, which are designed to, among other

things, absolve them from any litigation risk if someone happens to crop up

with a cancer later in life. The points I'm trying to make are these:

1. There is no easy and completely " safe " way to stop your child's problem

and save her eye sight.

2. Except for the alkylating drugs, unless one has a disease that in and of

itself is known to be associated with increased risk of malignancy, the

conventional immunomodulatory agents DO NOT confer onto a person such

increased risk.

3. The evidence, in peer-reviewed published medical literature supports very

strongly the wisdom of what your doctors are trying to do for you and your

child.

csf

Sorry it came across in such a funky way when I cut and pasted these from

the uveitis site. I hope you get the point I'm trying to make. Hope it

helps.

Weber

Professional Mom to:

Sophie (5) - pauci/panuveitis " JRA super fighter "

Charlie (13 mos.) - " It's a good thing she's so cute... "

www.caringbridge.org/visit/teamsophie

On 8/24/06, snooksmama@... <snooksmama@...> wrote:

>

> I'll jump in...

> methotrexate (mtx) for arthritis is given in such minute amounts that the

> 'scariness' you read about in literature doesn't really apply. The

> literature is discussing mtx given in much larger amounts, for cancer

> patients.

> However, as e said, mtx can be hard on the stomach. I couldn't

> tolerate the oral form, and am now on injections. Research has shown that

> the injections make the drug more bioavailable and get into the system

> better. Injection may be the way to go, but a lot of rheumies try oral

> first to see if they can get good response. My son is on oral (yes we

> both have arthritis). Since your son already has tummy issues, you may

> want to discuss that fact with the rheumy.

> While on mtx, liver function needs to be watched and monitored. Most

> people tolerate it quite well, but there is the rare event where it

> raises liver enzymes too much and must be discontinued. If mtx fails,

> most rheumies move quickly to one of the biologic drugs.

> There is little else available out on the market to stop joint damage.

> Celebrex is doing little for your son to stop joint damage, and it is

> time to move on. As we say in the nursing biz, time is joints saved!

> I hope that this helps.

> and Rob, 17, Spondy

>

> On Thu, 24 Aug 2006 06:27:54 -0000 " Carolyn Goedike "

> <dylansmommy42298@... <dylansmommy42298%40>> writes:

> Hello Everyone,

>

> I have been a 'silent member' for five years but lately, I seem to

> have a lot of questions and I thank all of you for your help. I

> have another one to add to the list.

>

> My son, Dylan, is eight. He's had pauciauticular JRA since the age

> of three. Today, we were told by his rheumy at UCLA that it has

> progressed to polyauticular. We kind of suspected this because he

> has a few more joints that are involved now. He's been taking

> Celebrex, but it doesn't seem to be doing the job. His rheumy wants

> us to consider Methotrexate. When I read about this drug, it scares

> me to death! Also, Dylan has acid reflux and esophagitis.

>

> Interestingly, he doesn't have much pain except for one ankle and

> one finger. And, his sed rate is normal, which I guess can be

> pretty common.

>

> Can any of you give me your experiences/knowledge of methotrexate,

> and if there is anything else out there for our kids to take? Right

> now, his right knee, both ankles and two fingers are affected. I

> worry about what methotrexate will do to his already damaged

> esophagus and acid reflux, along with many other worries.

>

> Thank you so much for your help.

>

> Carolyn

> mom to Dylan

>

> Herth Schulz

> Precious Helpers Horse Farm

> www.precioushelpers.org

> A Cost-Free Christian Riding Therapy Program

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi all. I have RA, AS, OA, Fibro, etc. Due to a rare blood disorder and stroke

back in 2004 while on Vioxx and Embrel, so although these 2 were miracle drugs

for me, my hemo doc and rheumy as well as I are no longer comfortable with these

types of drugs for me.

I am now on 5mg of prednisone, 1 mg of folic acid, .9 ML of injectible

Methotrexate (the pills did not work fast enough). This combo helps some, but

not like the Enbrel did. Most of these drugs are blood platelet altering (even

the Methotrexate). Am considering Orencia and Arava. Not familiar with Imuran.

[Guest guest]

I had Mtx. pills which did nothing so I was given Mtx. IM. In six to eight

weeks I had asymptomatic hepatitis. The Mtx. IM only helped my smaller joints

and not the larger ones.

HTH

Pray the ry

www.Jmichaelstyle.com

----------

No virus found in this outgoing message.

Checked by AVG Free Edition.

Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.5/482 - Release Date: 10/18/2006

[Guest guest]

Hi Kate,

With just a smidge of luck, you'll be just like me. No negative effect

whatsoever. TONS of Positive effects though.

I've been on MTX for over 4.5 years and have been 98% Normal since

taking it.

Stay Well,

[Guest guest]

" I'm back from my Rheumy. She believes in aggressive treatment. I

researched and agreed to start methotrexate. "

I was taking 25 mg (10 pills) weekly of Methotrexate prior to starting

Enbrel; now am taking 6 tabs (15 mg) weekly.

If you have GERD (heartburn/reflux) you may experience an increase in

that (especially if you also take heavy doses of NSAIDs like Aleve or

whatever as I do) or some nausea. The Folic Acid definitely helps with

that (my rheumy actually has me taking 2 mg daily of Folic Acid), also

reflux meds (especially your proton pump inhibitors like Protonix or

Omeprazole OTC) can help. If the stomach side effects are particularly

bothersome, you can also either: take the whole dose at night before

bedtime, and sleep through everything till the next am OR you can

split the dose in half, and take half the pills one night and the

other half either the next morning or at the same time the following

night (per my rheumy, as long as you take the TOTAL dosage within a 24

hour period, it's perfectly OK to do that.) Some people have also

recommended trying injectable Methotrexate if the oral Methotrexate

really bothers your stomach, but even on 25 mg weekly, I just didn't

feel my stomach symptoms were THAT bad that I had to go that route;

the other stuff worked perfectly well for me.

Can't say that I really experienced fatigue or anything like that from

the Methotrexate or Enbrel. With the pain relief from the DMARD's, I

actually have MORE energy. Basically, if I start feeling extremely

fatigued, I am either getting sick (a cold, stomach flu, whatever) OR

heading into an arthritis flare.

Hope this helped some. Good luck!

Wanda

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for the info. My body tolerates drugs most drugs really well, ones

that knock most people out I do well with. So I pray that's the case for

me on MTX.

Thanks!

Kate

At 07:08 AM 11/7/2006, you wrote:

>Hi Kate,

>With just a smidge of luck, you'll be just like me. No negative effect

>whatsoever. TONS of Positive effects though.

>I've been on MTX for over 4.5 years and have been 98% Normal since

>taking it.

>

>Stay Well,

>

[Guest guest]

At 10:23 AM 11/7/2006, you wrote:

> " I'm back from my Rheumy. She believes in aggressive treatment. I

>researched and agreed to start methotrexate. "

>

>

>I was taking 25 mg (10 pills) weekly of Methotrexate prior to starting

>Enbrel; now am taking 6 tabs (15 mg) weekly.

>

>If you have GERD (heartburn/reflux) you may experience an increase in

>that (especially if you also take heavy doses of NSAIDs like Aleve or

>whatever as I do) or some nausea. The Folic Acid definitely helps with

>that (my rheumy actually has me taking 2 mg daily of Folic Acid), also

>reflux meds (especially your proton pump inhibitors like Protonix or

>Omeprazole OTC) can help. If the stomach side effects are particularly

>bothersome, you can also either: take the whole dose at night before

>bedtime, and sleep through everything till the next am OR you can

>split the dose in half, and take half the pills one night and the

>other half either the next morning or at the same time the following

>night (per my rheumy, as long as you take the TOTAL dosage within a 24

>hour period, it's perfectly OK to do that.) Some people have also

>recommended trying injectable Methotrexate if the oral Methotrexate

>really bothers your stomach, but even on 25 mg weekly, I just didn't

>feel my stomach symptoms were THAT bad that I had to go that route;

>the other stuff worked perfectly well for me.

>

>Can't say that I really experienced fatigue or anything like that from

>the Methotrexate or Enbrel. With the pain relief from the DMARD's, I

>actually have MORE energy. Basically, if I start feeling extremely

>fatigued, I am either getting sick (a cold, stomach flu, whatever) OR

>heading into an arthritis flare.

>

>Hope this helped some. Good luck!

>

>Wanda

Wanda!

Thank you so much for your help! I had a hard time with the NSAIDs until

I starting making sure I took them with a good meal. She has me starting

on 10mg MTX.

Kate

[Guest guest]

hi kate. when i started the mtx i took it when i had 2 days off work. when i

first started it i felt wiped out. whether it was from the meds or the PA im not

sure. but i take it on sat. night, and sunday, monday i take it easy and just

dont overdue it. its been over a year and im not feeling as fatigued. so is my

body adjusting? i guess so. good luck. ive had good results. i take 10 mg every

week and so far so good. do stay up on the lab work though. if you dont go in

they will call you

casey

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

Sponsored Link

Mortgage rates near 39yr lows. $420,000 Mortgage for $1,399/mo - Calculate new

house payment

[Guest guest]

Casey,

Thanks for the feedback. I'm taking mine Thursday night. I work part-time

and I have office hours Wednesday and Thursday. I work for a church and we

have Saturday evening services and Sunday morning services. So I'm

planning on taking it easy on Friday and Saturday morning. I'm going to

warn my boss today. I should have good volunteer coverage, so if something

did happen and I couldn't make it Saturday I should be ok.

Kate

[Guest guest]

I take Folic as well, its better you do...

Love And Peace

Always, Shaun And Barb

[Guest guest]

Wend, I should have added that MTX depletes your body of folic acid so be

sure to take 1 mg of folic acid daily while on MTX. In addition, you will need

to have frequent (every 4 to 8 weeks) blood tests in order to monitor your

liver values while you are on MTX. Be sure to discuss this with your rheumy.

If he or she is not prepared to monitor your blood frequently, you should

consider changing doctors.

Kathy F.

In a message dated 4/28/2007 7:39:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

wend_1966@... writes:

First off I have to thank you for all you busy posts on here, Imnot an

active member and sit on the fence as it were, but do enjoy reading the

posts.

Ive been told off my Rhumi to start Methotrexate in two weeks time, Ive

already tryed sulfadiazine and I had bad effects off it. I am worryed

about starting the Methotrexate. I have a diagosis of fibromyalgia as

well as the psoriatic spondalaropathy (sorry my spelling isn't good!)

and to be honest I don't know when one starts and he other ends. Like I

say I am worried about taking such a strong drug and don't know what to

do. Obviously there are people on here who are on it or been on it,

your experience of this drug would be most welcome. Many, many thanks

Wend x

[Editor's Note: Wend, if you've been reading the posts here, you already

know my mantra when it comes to medication for PA: for most people, you have

more to fear from not treating the disease than you do from the medications

that

may help you. MTX has been used to treat PA for over 20 years. Although some

people experience side effects, most do not. For those who experience side

effects, for the most part, they are mild. The horrible side effects you read

about if you Google MTX are usually based on the use of methotrexate as a

chemo drug for cancer. When MTX is used as a chemo drug, the dosage is in the

800 to 1000 mg range. When we take it for PA, our weekly doses are in the 5 to

25 mg range. Our dose is therefore about 2-4% of the dose given for chemo. As

you can imagine, side effects at high doses can be doozies; at the low doses

we take, they are usually negligible. People can die from drinking too much

water, too, but a glass of water is good for you and you don't usually drown

from drinking a small quantity of water. Since you would not be taking a

cancer-sized dose, you have no reason to expect the awful side effects you've

read about. Having said that, all medications (and foods for that matter) have

potential side effects, so just be aware of changes going on and keep your

doctor informed. Kathy F.]

************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Kathy... yes it does make perfect sense what your saying. And

I guess I have to give it a try because rhumi has told me of the

outlook if I dont. They have told me that I will have regular blood

tests so thats good too. Thank you so much.

Wend x

>

>

> Wend, I should have added that MTX depletes your body of folic acid

so be

> sure to take 1 mg of folic acid daily while on MTX. In addition,

you will need

> to have frequent (every 4 to 8 weeks) blood tests in order to

monitor your

> liver values while you are on MTX. Be sure to discuss this with

your rheumy.

> If he or she is not prepared to monitor your blood frequently, you

should

> consider changing doctors.

>

> Kathy F.

>

> In a message dated 4/28/2007 7:39:14 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> wend_1966@... writes:

>

> First off I have to thank you for all you busy posts on here,

Imnot an

> active member and sit on the fence as it were, but do enjoy

reading the

> posts.

> Ive been told off my Rhumi to start Methotrexate in two weeks

time, Ive

> already tryed sulfadiazine and I had bad effects off it. I am

worryed

> about starting the Methotrexate. I have a diagosis of fibromyalgia

as

> well as the psoriatic spondalaropathy (sorry my spelling isn't

good!)

> and to be honest I don't know when one starts and he other ends.

Like I

> say I am worried about taking such a strong drug and don't know

what to

> do. Obviously there are people on here who are on it or been on

it,

> your experience of this drug would be most welcome. Many, many

thanks

> Wend x

>

> [Editor's Note: Wend, if you've been reading the posts here, you

already

> know my mantra when it comes to medication for PA: for most

people, you have

> more to fear from not treating the disease than you do from the

medications that

> may help you. MTX has been used to treat PA for over 20 years.

Although some

> people experience side effects, most do not. For those who

experience side

> effects, for the most part, they are mild. The horrible side

effects you read

> about if you Google MTX are usually based on the use of

methotrexate as a

> chemo drug for cancer. When MTX is used as a chemo drug, the

dosage is in the

> 800 to 1000 mg range. When we take it for PA, our weekly doses are

in the 5 to

> 25 mg range. Our dose is therefore about 2-4% of the dose given

for chemo. As

> you can imagine, side effects at high doses can be doozies; at the

low doses

> we take, they are usually negligible. People can die from drinking

too much

> water, too, but a glass of water is good for you and you don't

usually drown

> from drinking a small quantity of water. Since you would not be

taking a

> cancer-sized dose, you have no reason to expect the awful side

effects you've

> read about. Having said that, all medications (and foods for that

matter) have

> potential side effects, so just be aware of changes going on and

keep your

> doctor informed. Kathy F.]

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ************************************** See what's free at

http://www.aol.com.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy,

It sounds as though you're really having a tough

time!!! I'm sorry about your best old dog..that

creates a big void.

Re: methotrexate....I take the shot (give it to myself

once a week..cost about $2.70). They say it's more

effective than the pills and has less side effects.

The effect on my symtoms is amazing. My foot stops

dropping, my arms feel connected to my body

again..etc..

I still get some swelling, though I think that may be

my bad diet. I love sweets and chips.

I really hope you do better very soon, Kathy.

Sincerely,

Maureen

--- Kathy <sunbriar@...> wrote:

> My dose of 12.5 mg is 5 pills once a week. I also

> take folic acid 2x a day and ultram-ER for pain.

> So far I dont see any improvement, as a matter of

> fact I seem to be the same or worse. I think the

> pain pill is too strong for me also, even though it

> doesnt get rid of all the pains I feel weird on it.

> Im having an MRI of my brain in 2 weeks.. may have a

> pitutiarty tumor.. and yesterday my best old dog

> died at age 14... things just keep piling up on

> me... whats next? Kathy

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____Get the toolbar and be alerted to new email wherever you're surfing.

http://new.toolbar./toolbar/features/mail/index.php

[Guest guest]

Hiya Guys,

I just wanted to update you on me starting the Methotrexate.

I started it Monday 14th May, 10 mg in 1 dose and a dose of folic acid

on the friday. Not long after taking the second dose the following

week, I felt as if I was getting chest infection. This got worse

through the night so I phoned the Rhumi on the Tuesday morning and was

told to go down. By the time I got there I was pretty poorly. After a

half a days worth of tests they told me I have had an adverse reaction

to the drug where it has mainly effected my lungs. Some wonderful and

wierd medical term for it! At this moment, Im now out of hospital wth a

bag full of steroids that I feel after a week of taking haven't been

working so Im ringing them again tomorow. I just wanted to update you

on it. I hope you are all as well as can be and have had a wonderful

weekend, hugs Wend x

[Guest guest]

So sorry to hear you had a bad experience, Wend! I'm surprised they

started you on 10mg at once. I think most of us were started on a

lower dose and gradually worked up. I started with 5 mg, split in 2

doses (morning and evening), then 7.5 mg, then 10 mg, etc. What a

bummer to be hospitalized because of the med. I suppose it's also

caused a major flare? Most times any infection or trauma (even

emotional) will cause a flare - and you had it all at once!!!

I'm praying better days are ahead for you,

sherry z

[Guest guest]

Hello Wendi..

I was sad to read you were sick from taking the Methotrexate. I wish you all

the luck in the world. and that you get to feeling better soon. Have your

considered taking Enbrel?

Kdelano

[Guest guest]

Thank you! Have decided that Im not going to try anouther thing. Simple

as that. I had an adverse reaction off the Methotrexate and

Sulphadiazine last year which almost killed me. I feel like Im playing

russian roulet I know there's can't be a price put on pain relief

but not to the cost of my life. I was so hoping that the Methotrexate

would work too. Have to find me a witch doctor I think LOL Or a good

vet! ;-) Hugs Wend x

>

> Hello Wendi..

> I was sad to read you were sick from taking the Methotrexate. I

wish you all the luck in the world. and that you get to feeling better

soon. Have your considered taking Enbrel?

>

> Kdelano

>

[Guest guest]

I am really sorry you had such a horrible experience and that it may very well

keep you from seeking other treatment.I did the methortrexate in two forms pills

and injections. The injections were the worse. I have tried eveything..

Cyclesporine is good but there are alot of side effects.. hypertension and

kidney problems could arise from using this medication. I have been on Enbrel

for two weeks.. I am actually getting ready to do my third injection at 10:30pn

EST today. I was very skepitcal about doing this since I have to give myself the

injection but after the second one I am fine.. I have to say I love waking up in

the morning with out all the pain. My skin is clearing up really nicely too. I

actually met someone who has been on the Enbrel for awhile and his skin looks

great..His supervisor who happens to be my best friend says you can't even tell

he ever had psoriasis since he has been on this. So far I have no side effects

from the Enbrel... as with any drug I am

alway skeptical about taking them..

Good Luck in what ever decision you make.

KDelano

[Guest guest]

Methotrexate has been used for many years to treat different forms of

arthritis. It is a cancer drug...as it slows cell growth. For a hyper immune

system

(like we have) it can tempt down the immune system. It also may have

anti-inflammation properties. The side effects are usually very minimal taken

at the

much lower doses for arthritis. For example, the dosage for cancer is 30 mg

daily for 5 days...a rest period of two weeks before another course. For

arthritis, it is 7.5 mg ONCE A WEEK. The side effects are usually dose related.

Methotrexate is usually given when the use of NSAID are not enough for the

symptoms of our type of arthritis. It is a DMARD medication (disease

modifying arthritic drug), and is one of the lesser toxic drugs as is Plaquenil,

another DMARD. When Methotrexate does not work, many are given one of the

anti-TNF drugs...like Remicade, Enbrel or Humira. Most doctors will weight the

benefits to a patient against the side effects before prescribing.

I took Methotrexate for many years (injected/with 1 mg tablet of folic acid

daily to counteract mouth ulcers) and I had little side effects from it. Mouth

ulcers and stomach upset are the most prominent side effects of

Methotrexatae taken at low doses. Many in our group have taken it for many

years. As

another poster said....what one drug helps someone, may not be the drug of

choice for another.

Sometimes, one drug will help for a few years...before our body decides it

can out fox us. Many of us have gone through all the drugs that they have for

our condition....to return back...to the first drug of choice, then the next,

and the next...waiting for the real cure...trying to out fox the FOX.

Drugs are drugs....and almost all have some side effects. However, to live a

quality life...we sometimes need to resort to their use.. Some drugs have

more side effects than others, but some of us couldn't/wouldn't get out of bed

without their help. One of the drugs we have to be careful about...is " long

term " use of steroids. Steroids can be beneficial for an acute phase of our

disease...but can be a thorn in the side...if taken long term for arthritis.

_Patient Education - Methotrexate_

(http://www.rheumatology.org/public/factsheets/methotrexate.asp)

************************************** Get a sneak peak of the all-new AOL at

http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour

[Guest guest]

7.5 mg once a week is the starting dosage. I am now on 15 mg once a week and

will go up again (most likey) in August. The information I've been given, it's

not uncommon for someone with my severety to be taking 25mg once a week. So am

guessing that's my next dosage. But each time I go in, they draw blood to check

for any liver damage. I also take the folic acid. My Dr said it helps with

keep the nausea at bay also. So far, so good.

Tami

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. For those who have had successful response to this med, do

any of you have a history of asthma?

J. Blake

Personal mail to:

sjblake@...

http://www.growingstrong.org

I'm protected by SpamBrave

http://www.spambrave.com/