Re: Methotrexate - question for ladies

[Guest guest]

I started methotrexate at a very low dose in November. I didn't have spotting. Didn't actually have any side effects apart from tiredness on the day after taking dose. I am now up to 15mg but I am still waiting for that miracle.Helen in the UK

[Guest guest]

Hi I take 8 pills of methotrexate a week and as for bleeding I did

bleed a little more.As for the prednisone it worked great for the pain

but I didn't like the effects.As for the time of month ever since I

started my meds I have not have had a regular one.if your worried

check with your doctor.

Maggie

[Guest guest]

Prednisone does thin the blood and does cause hormonal changes and metabolic changes so it could cause you to start early. MTX can also cause this. If you are prone to cramps or clotting, this may alleviate some of that over time. Make sure you tell your OBGYN about this as with any changes. Remember too, that stress dosing in a flare of steriod is bad for the body. I will take a maintenance dose of 6 mg during the day and then 1 extra mg at night. I dont believe in ramping a patient up with steriods unless its before a surgery. The negative side effects to your metabolism are severe and you may have weight gain, especially around the face. Adding steriod will replace your normal amount of cortisol (adrenaline) and stopping it all together can cause adrenal failure which is very serious. If you havent get tried remicade or one of the other biologics, I would start soon, as it eliminates the need for stress dosing altogether in most cases. I happen to be extemely sensitive to Prednisone and refuse to go up unless a milligram or two unless its an emergency. I try to combat the pain with Ibuprofen or Darvocet when that happens. The meds can cause an early cycle, absolutely. Remember that prednisone can make you monsterously hungery too, if you are hungry, eat healthy. What your body craves is tons of anti oxidants. Give yourself a ton of soft grilled veggies, healthy rice and a lean piece of protien like steak or chicken or fish. Prednisone stimulates the hypothalimus so your appetite my seem out of control until your off or decrease your prednisone. Prednisone also moves your fat and water to other places in your body, usually under your chin, abdomen and thighs. It affects your estrogen, testosterone and FHS. Female hormone secretion.

You will by dying for chocolate cake and potato chips but your body will store those as fat, so try having lowfatice cream and chocolate sauce. If you need lowfat but decadent desserts, I have a recipe you might like. Its so easy its scary. Take a package of chocolate (or any flavor) instant pudding in a bowl and add two cups milk. Mix these together with a whisk. Set Aside. Get a box of cake mix any flavor and add the wet ingredients to the dry. You can add a bit of canola oil 1/4 cup and one egg. Mix together and pour into a 9x13 pan or anything comparible. Bake for about 25-35 minutes and break out the cool whip. I also have an ugly pudding cake recipe you can try too. Did you know I made a yummy brownie dessert with no fat cremora and water, one egg and some canola. Its absolutely decadent. There is so little fat too. You can stir in choc. chips at the end before cooking and chopped pecan

.. Feel better and go to your doctor about anything else. Also check out www.arthritisfoundation.org for more info. Yours, Deborah

On 2/17/06, rutledgestacey <rutledgestacey@...> wrote:

I started this yesterday at a very low dose. Did any of you havebleeding as a side effect? I spotted all day yesterday.

They also started me on a high dose of Prednisone for 12 days and I'mnot sure which one caused the problem. I'm not due to start til latenext week.Thanks,Stacey