My MTX update.

[Guest guest]

Thank you to everyone for all the helpful replies and encouragement. I

was supposed to take my 3rd dose today but I went to the doctors first.

She gave me several options but also suggested that I skip this weeks

dose and get my 'cold' under control first. Since I got the cold at the

same time I started the MTX I'm not sure whether my fatigue is due to

the flu, MTX or a combo of both. I told her I was dreading taking it

again today because of the exhaustion and as long as my body is

compromised with fatigue I'm not going to get over this damn cold /

flu, whatever it is.

So I'm feeling so good about that. Although it will put my progress

behind a bit, I'll at least know when I take my next dose what's what.

She also suggested I start off on 10mg, when I go back on and not the

15mg. I'm also not going to take it on a Friday, since my busy work

time is on weekends. I'll probably start in on a Monday this time.

Thanx all..................hope everyone has a beautiful

weekend..........Deb

[Guest guest]

Deb,

I've been on MTX and Enbrel now for over 2 years, with excellent,

quality-of-life restoring results. This had definitely knocked my immune

system, so I have to go off them when I get a bad cold or the flu, and

recently did just that. After 2 weeks, I thought it was safe to start the

MTX again and as soon as I did WHAM I got hit with the worst bout of

exhaustion and flu symptoms I have experienced since starting to take it.

Maybe I should have taken a 10mg dose instead of the full 15mg too. I will

discuss these with my Rheumy next visit.

I have heard of the meds not working after going off of them for a while and

restarting. That scares me. Anyone have that experience? Anyone else get

advice to taper into the meds after suspending them for a while due to

illnesses or surgeries, etc.?

Thanks

Jeff

[Guest guest]

Jeff:

YOU WROTE:

1. I have heard of the meds not working after going off of them for a

while and restarting. That scares me. Anyone have that experience?

When my daughter was on Remicade, then off for an extended time and

wanted to go back on it, more than one doctor tried to tell her that

she could not take it again after going off of it. It was recently

explained to me that the only reason for the concern would be a

heightened risk of allergic type reaction to the Remicade if she tries

tp take it again, but that it should be fine otherwise.

2. Anyone else get advice to taper into the meds after suspending them

for a while due to illnesses or surgeries, etc.?

The one med that I know for sure needs to be done this way is MTX!! At

least this is what I have always been taught. Jumping right in at 15

-- 6 tabs, right? Might have been a bit much for your system...all our

bodies are different, though, so one would hope that your dr knows

best! Did you try talking to the pharmacist about it? I have found

that they are sometimes a wonderful resource for questions like this.

Good Luck!

Cheryl M.