Posted , 10 users are following.
Hi. Thought I would join this forum. I've just taken my 4th dose of methotrexate for inflammatory arthritis. I have mixed feelings about it. I would be great full for any advice.
0 likes, 23 replies
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krishnaji41 julie54928
Posted
Hi Julie,
First of all I hope you have started on Methotrexate under Doctor's advice.
Metx is a wonder drug but must be taken deally under a physician's supervision. This will help the monitoring of the dose to arrive at a levelthat ismost suitable to you individually. Because our bodies differ in the response to medication especiallywithdrugs like MTX.
Once the dosage is stabilized for you in your condition, be mentally prepared to have the treatment continued for a long time. Taken in right doses as directed possibly with some other vitamin supplements,you will have no serious problem or side effects.
julie20097 krishnaji41
Posted
Taken under advice and overseeing by consultant as stated before. Obviously you didn't read my feeds fully. But thanks for
your comments
carolbrady1 julie54928
Posted
bob11697 carolbrady1
Posted
There is some thing else after a year my lungs feel like I am
Drouwding in fluids Atrovent and standard inhalers now normal.it helps
With pain but the side effects definitely get your attention.good luck
shirlee86000 julie54928
Posted
I have just taken my 4th lot too, I had to go for my check up yesterday and the consultant pleased with my blood results from two weeks ago so that is encouraging, I am on 6 a week now and because they caught me really early in my RA then they are hoping that will be my limit as its classed as a low dose, I hope so, how many do you take?
Goose_Girl julie54928
Posted
Hi,
I am new to this as well, just joined today! I fought and fought being put on this drug for my RA. I think this drug gets a bad rap because they use if for cancer, so people associate it with a chemo drug. But once I accepted that this could help it changed my perspective of the drug. I started noticing changes after about a month, less pain and inflammation. After only 3-4 months I felt like a normal person again without RA! So for me it has changed my life, I am now back to doing a fitness bootcamp and also back to running. My Dr. just recently changed my dose from 6 tablets to 4 tablets and less Plaquenil, the metho made my levels rise for my liver ( which is why we take the folic acid ). I have had more pain and inflammation so I think we will always have to play, "Guess the Drug cocktail combo pack ". I hope this helps, its nice to talk to someone that is going through the same thing as me!
julie20097 julie54928
Posted
Goose_Girl julie20097
Posted
For me it was the first time I took it, my body felt different. The next morning I was nauseated and extremely tired! But after about a month those side effects subsided and now after 5 months I feel great! What is your dosage and when do you take it? The methotrexate has worked wonders for me and my RA, I feel like a normal person now! I do hope this med works for you, so give your body time to adjust. I hope this helps.
kristin3351 julie54928
Posted
julie20097 kristin3351
Posted
Well day after first dose did not want to eat. Started to get headache and nausea. Following day had severe vomiting, sweats and continued headache. Symptoms just subsiding after 5 days. Consultant now taken me off them as they don't agree with me. Hope you are one of many that thankfully get on with them. Good luck
kristin3351 julie20097
Posted
Thanks Julie. I certainly hope so. I already have had a headache for the past 3 days. On 20mg prednisone, taking Tramadol but my fingers are very swollen and painful. I drop almost everything I pick up, have trouble holding a coffee mug, trouble fixing my hair etc. I am 65 yrs old and this came on me out of the blue. I had a little osteo and thought they would say this problem was that but diagnosed me with RA a week ago. This site has been so comforting to me talking to people that understand. My family acts like I have nothing more than some trivial diagnosis. None of them have asked if I need to talk about it. When I say anything they listen but kind of act like its no big deal. It's a big deal to me and scary as well. Thanks for letting me vent.
julie20097 kristin3351
Posted
Goose_Girl kristin3351
Posted
For me I started feeling different the very first time I took my metho. That night I was anxious and didn't sleep well. The next day I was nauseated, and extrememly tired, I also had a slight headache. But then I felt okay, it took about a month to start feeling some relief, after about 3 months I felt almost normal like I didn't even have RA, very little pain and inflammation. I was on 15 mg a week- pill form. Now I don't really have any side effects except I still don't sleep well the night I take it. I had mixed feelings from the beginning, but once I accepted that this might help me ( which it did wonders!! ) I was fine. Before all I was doing was managing my symptoms and not living life, this med helped me get back to my life before I was diagnosed with RA. It also helps if you take the pills with food, I take mine after dinner about 6 pm. If it bothers you too much my Dr. said I could split up the pills, take half in the morning and half in the evening. I hope you are one of the 60 % that Metho works for with no many side effects. Let me know how you do.
julie20097 Goose_Girl
Posted
kristin3351 Goose_Girl
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Goose_Girl julie20097
Posted
Goose_Girl kristin3351
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kristin3351 Goose_Girl
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Took first three pills this morning and got very tired about 3 hours after then some lower abdominal cramping. I hope dose tonight is just as good. I was really scared and thank everyone that has responded to me. That first dose and commitment to the med is the hardest for me. I'll see how tonight goes but so far so good.
Goose_Girl kristin3351
Posted
That is great news, Did you take it with food? My first time I took it I worked myself i was so anxious and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! Good luck tonight. When we're you diagnosed with RA?
kristin3351 Goose_Girl
Posted
I was diagnosed last week. Doc said she was sure of diagnosis the week before that based on symptoms. I did take it with food. I fell into a deep sleep again a few hours after the evening dose but other than having trouble staying awake I feel ok. I'm so glad I am through today so I don't have to stress so much about it. Glad you are doing well on this med too. Do you take prednisone? I will be happy to get off that but it will be a while.
shirlee86000 Goose_Girl
Posted
I also take 15mg a week and my body does seem to be tolerating it thank goodness, just tiredness at times especially the day I take the 6 little pills. But I feel like I did before I ever felt symptoms of RA it truley is a wonder drug, I have had no symptoms whatsoever since I started on it which was a couple of months ago, I am hoping they drop my dosage to 10mg before long, up until now they are really pleased with the blood test results, fingers crossed they stay good
Goose_Girl kristin3351
Posted
That's great to hear! I think the first time was by far the hardest hurdle to pass. I hope your body tolerates it, mine has! I've had RA for 1 1/2 yrs, but I've only been on methotrexate since February. They started me on Plaquenil and I was hoping to only have to take that, no such luck. I'm not taking prednisone on a regular basis, just when the pain gets too intense I'll take it for 4 days ( my body HATES that med! ). It really a wonder drug if it works for you and you tolerate it. Take care, let me know how you do after a month or if your having side effects.
Goose_Girl shirlee86000
Posted
Hi Shirlee,
that's great to hear I guess we should feel blessed that we are in the 60% that the medicine works for and we tolerate it well. I was on the 15 milligrams but when I went in to get my last blood test my liver levels were above the normal range so they had to drop me back to 5. It doesn't work as well so I'm hoping to go back to the 6 pills or 15 milligrams with my liver levels stay in the normal range. Hey I'm back to running so that makes me happy!