RE: [SPAM] methotrexate

[Guest guest]

You’ve already got some good

information about Prednisone and how to get some relief. I wanted to comment

on your low dose of Methotrexate and unusual dosage of Folic Acid. You don’t

mention anything that sounds like the usual side effects of Methotrexate and

your current dose is quite low. Some people go up to as many as 10 pills (25

mg total) per week, all taken within a 24-hour period. You may need a higher

dose of Methotrexate. Depending on your insurance you may need to prove to

them that cheaper medications like Methotrexate do not work before they will

approve a biologic like Enbrel, Humira, or Remicade.

If you increase your Methotrexate you may

need to take more Folic Acid. Most people in the US are given 1 mg daily along with

weekly Methotrexate, and if side effects like nausea and mouth sores persist

then up to 5 mg daily is prescribed. I am not aware of overdoses of Folic Acid,

but I am not medically trained.

You need to let your rheumatologist know

that your current treatment is not working yet and you need some relief some

way. If your doctor does not cooperate you need to find a new doctor.

When I was first diagnosed in 2001 I was

started on 40 mg of Prednisone and it took me about a year and a half to finally

get off it when the combination of Methotrexate and Remicade finally worked. I

hope you get relief some way. God bless.

From:

Rheumatoid Arthritis [mailto:Rheumatoid Arthritis ]

On Behalf Of kenneth194542

Sent: Thursday, April 26, 2007

2:21 PM

To:

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Subject: [sPAM]

methotrexate

I have been diagnosed with very active and severe RA

and 2 weeks ago

was prescribed MTX by my Rheumatologist, taking 3 x tablets per week

plus folic acid 2 days later.

I also take 2 x doses of Celebrex per day.

I have been told that I must be patient because it can take from 4 -

10 weeks to feel any beneficial effect from MTX, but I would love to

hear from members on how soon they felt improvement on this drug. I

am in severe pain, particularly shoulders, neck, arms, wrists, hips,

knees and feet. I also have suffered from osteo-arthritis for many

years in my spine and hips, but I have never experienced pain like

this in all of my life (I am 58 years old.

I am finding it impossible to sleep with my v. painful shoulders -

has anyone any useful tip on how to try and make myself comfy in bed ?

Currently my husband has to help me to get in/out of bed, help me

with turning over in bed, he has been a star !! He also has to help

me with getting dressed, doing my hair, most things in fact, I never

thought I would ever become like this in my life.

I am having blood tests every 2 weeks and will see Rheumatologist

again in 8 weeks time - when I last saw him 2 weeks ago, he said I

would be bounding through his door by then - if only !!

best wishes - Lynda