Re: Question for Methotrexate Users

[Guest guest]

I have been on 20 of MTX injectable once a week for quite a while

with no side-effects whatsoever other than occasional mouth sores

(which along with fatigue I relate to the PA rather than the MTX).

It actually sounds to me like you are having a flare that the

increased dosage of MTX is not touching. Mouth sores can also be a

side-effect of any of the autoimmune illnesses (of which there are

too darn many to count).

Make sure your physician knows that the nurse told you to " ride it

out. " Simple blood work will tell if you are having systemic

negative reactions to the MTX. While those of us with PA show no

rheumatoid factor the level of inflammation in our systems can

simetimes be seen in the ESR or other inflammatory blood markers.

In my case the fluctuation in my sed rate does not necessarily

correlate to my physical symptoms. Telling a patient in a flare to

ride it out is irresponsible. The longer a flare goes on the harder

it is " break. "

Good luck to you.

Greer

[Guest guest]

,

My doctor had started me MTX and we worked up to the dose that I am

on now which is 20mg. It took almost a year before I really felt

any relief from it. I still have swollen joints in two of my

fingers and two toes. He finally, told me we should try something

with the MTX so I am now on Remicade and the 20mg MTX. Daily I also

take Naproxin twice a day and when things are bad Darvocet. My skin

leisons improved but did not disappear while on MTX alone, but it

didn't do much for my joints. With the Remicade, (I have only had

two doses so far) I was very hopeful for great improvement but so

far the jury is still out. After the first dose I felt so much

better for about a week then, back slid...but I am still better than

I was. While on the just MTX I had called my Rhuemy several times

and we played around with the daily meds, to give me some additional

relief. Are you on folic acid? If not they may want to place you on

it. It is suppose to help with the mouth ulcers and fatigue. (if I

understand things correctly) Call your doctor back and let the nurse

know that you do not want to be dismissed, you need to be able to

function, and they are there to help you do that.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

All I can say is that since going on to MTX, I feel that some areas seemed

to improve slightly but I've still gone through flares with it so if I was to

give an opinion I would say compared to Gold which worked well for me for

around 10yrs, I would give MTX four out of ten. (I would give Gold eight out

of

ten)

Good luck on Friday,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was on mtx for over ten years. For the entire time the mtx really did nothing

for my skin

condition but it helped with the PA along with the nsaid's and folic acid. The

entire time I

took mtx I had mouth sores. My doc didn't seem to think that it was unusual for

that to

happen. The only thing that has ever helped my P is uv treatment. Make sure that

you are

getting the proper blood tests on a regualar basis with the mtx. If your doctor

is not

already monitoring your accumulated dosage ask him/her about it. My derm was

pretty

militant about having liver biopsies at certain levels as the liver can be

affected with no

noticable changes in the blood work. That is all in the past for me now... thank

the Lord

for Enbrel!!!!

Tom in Anchorage where it is now raining and the snow is melting away, booo...

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

How long were you on the Remicade and how long have you been " drug

free " ? I will cross my fingers, knock on wood and say a prayer that

you continue to feel good ! I love hearing about people who seem to

go into remission. It makes me feel very optimistic.

Take Care,

>

> Hi ,

>

> For what is is worth...

>

> While I'm currently off (cross your finger, knock on wood, etc)

both Remicade and mtx, it was the Remicade that " saved me " ... The

mtx seemed to help some, but always made me exremely tired and the

mouth sores (i did incease the amount of folic acid I was taking and

this helped the mouth sores)... All this said, I was on a pretty

low dose (only 7.5 mg, 3 pills), but it was combined with the

Remicade and that is what did the trick...

>

>

>

> Best Wishes,

>

> (idaho)

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>

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