20 mg methotrexate and folic acid on other days are not working for me!
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi,
I was on 10 mg of methotrexate for 6 months and it was working wonderfully. However, I stopped the med for one month and my RA came back stronger than ever. I then went on 20 mg with folic acid the following day but my blood test came back bad with my liver and inflmmation marker going up. So the specialist now changed it tostill 20mg of methotrexate but folic acid on days I'm not taking the methotrexate. Hence, increasing my folic acid to 3 times of what was initially prescribed. I took folic acid for 4 days and today I'm in pain with a swollen finger. Obviously increasing the folic acid intake is not working. I called the rheumatologist back and she passed on the info to the receptionsist who mumbled throughout the phone conversation that I need to take cortisone but continue with my folic acid for 6 days as per prescribed. I'm not too sure her information is reliable. Just want to know if other people have experienced similar things with methotrexate and folic acid treatment and whether I should go back to taking folic acid just on the day after I take the methotrexate????
0 likes, 6 replies
mrsmop lisa63151
Posted
Hi Lisa, you need to see or speak to your consultant, not the secretary/receptionist.
I took MTX for a different disease & after a break, I think you should build up the dose again, not go straight onto 20mg a week.
I don't think it will be the folic acid causing the problems but the MTX.
The first consultant I saw, put me on 5mg MTX to start with & folic acid on the days I didn't take MTX. When I increased the dose to 10mg/week, the MTX made me pass out. My new consultant told me to try taking the folic acid at the same time, all the nurses were telling me that the doctor was wrong, however, I trust him & did as he suggested.
I didn't have any problems for nearly 2 years & the MTX did its job. I had to come off it for another reason.
So, talk to your consultant, not a secretary, except to leave messages.
Good luck
mrsmop lisa63151
Posted
joyce32759 lisa63151
Posted
Hi Lisa
Unfortunately when you miss taking metho for a month(Ive done the same as I was having implants done& needed them to heal)metho is no longer effective.Ive then had to go to hosp for steroid inj.&continue metho.
Ive been on it 5 yrs &still not got it working properly.
Currently on 12.5.
Best wishes
Joyce
maggie15623 lisa63151
Posted
Hello Lisa, Sorry to hear you see suffering with a swollen finger but it will not be the folic acid. The increase in folic acid is to reduce the toxicity effect on your liver as I understand it. My dose was increased because of this too. I have swelling in a couple of fingers, wrists and ankles because of the RA so maybe it's the same for you. As you know the drug takes a few months before you see general improvements so I would stick with it. Good luck.
Danni456 lisa63151
Posted
Hi Lisa,
I have also been put on the same as you and I had a great improvement when I changed from 1 folic acid day to 6. So I take it every day except mtx day.
I have just had my follow up and because I am still in lots of pain I've been given Cortesone and she says the elevated pain is because the inflammation is not under control.
I have a cortesone shot every hospital visit and it does help alot but is always disappointing when it wears off.
Also they are planning to change me to the mtx injection because of the sickness and exhaustion, and they can increase it easier that way as it avoids stomach.
Things to ask/check/do
Please ask gp or consultant before anything;
Folic acid 6 days per week except mtx day
Ask about cortesone shots
Ask about injection of mtx
Ask about anti inflammatory or a change in your current ones
Avoid alcohol at all costs on mtx especially if your liver bloods are elevated.
Try milk thistle supplements for the liver.
Hope this helps. It's a long hard battle but I guess we have to trust they know what they are doing and share our own experiences to see what helps/doesn't.
lisa63151 Danni456
Posted
Thank you for your kind comments! I went back to the doctor and she gave me a cortisone injection but it didn't really work until 24 hours later plus another dose of 5mg cortisone tablets. It is indeed a life struggle. I'm in the middle of moving house now and it hurts whenever I try to do too much........