methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Now he has headaches, nausea & a slight fever. Has

> anyone else out there had this reaction to this drug & if so, did

it

> go away after awhile?

This is a normal reaction to MTX...most get it some milder then

others. If you don't you are lucky very lucky. Some have to get

the shot instead of taking the pill - it has less side effects. I

reacted this way - plus loss of hair and fingernails became very

soft...

The major affects went away for me and now only occasionally do I

have a reaction. It did take me about 3 months in the beginning

though but the swelling and aches receded some so I was willing to

stick it out.

Good luck to your husband.

Oh, one more thing...I take Foltx which is folic acid and the B

vitamins to compensate for the loss to my immune system from the

chemotherapy drug.

God bless,

Althea

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. Because he had taken the methorexate 3 days before, he's

convinced that it couldn't have caused his problems. I still think it could but

because it's the weekend he hasn't been able to talk to his Dr. And he isn't

taking Folic Acid, so that may be something to check into. I'm pretty sure he

took it with food though---although his eating habits are terrible & sometimes

he'll eat a donut in the morning & then nothing at all until 8 o'clock at

night--which probably doesn't help his situation either. So far though,

nothing's kicked in to ease the pain in his wrists & shoulders. We'll just keep

trying to get past this. Thanks again. Ginny,

Jennie G <xponder70@...> wrote:Is he taking folic acid? Most rheumy's

prescribe 1mg folic acid

daily to help with the side effects of methotrexate. It is

important to let his rheumy know the side effects he is

experiencing. If he is on folic acid already, the rheumy may want

to increase the dose and see if that helps. If the side effects

continue, another option is injectible mtx. Another thought, did he

take it with food? I just looked and my mtx bottle does not say to,

but I seem to remember being told to take all my meds with food to

avoid stomach problems.

Jennie

> My husband has RA & just started taking Methotrexate (once weekly)

> three days ago. Now he has headaches, nausea & a slight fever.

Has

> anyone else out there had this reaction to this drug & if so, did

it

> go away after awhile?..........he's miserable. He's also just

> started a low dose of Prednisone, but from everything I'm reading,

> it's probably the Methotrexate that's causing the grief.

[Guest guest]

--- In , GINNY SPENCER <ginbiz52@y...>

wrote:

And he isn't taking Folic Acid, so that may be something to check

into.

It's a MUST with MTX.

S.

[Guest guest]

I have found you need to drink plenty of water. The information

packet I received with my Methotrexate stated you need to keep

hydrated to help keep your body filtering the medications properly.

I would assume these side effects could be intensified if you were

dehydrated. Just something I noticed and thought might help.

> My husband has RA & just started taking Methotrexate (once weekly)

> three days ago. Now he has headaches, nausea & a slight fever.

Has

> anyone else out there had this reaction to this drug & if so, did

it

> go away after awhile?..........he's miserable. He's also just

> started a low dose of Prednisone, but from everything I'm reading,

> it's probably the Methotrexate that's causing the grief.

[Guest guest]

Do you guys notice a difference in side effects sometimes from week

to week, or once you get past any initial side effects, is it

generally OK? I've been taking methotrexate orally for about 5 months

now. Some weeks I'm fine...just a little fatigue the next day, but

no nausea. But every once in a while, I'll feel really lousy for

about two days after taking it, almost like I've got the flu or

something. I haven't been able to find any kind of pattern, like how

much water or food I've had. I always take it with food and I try to

drink plenty of water afterwards.

> > My husband has RA & just started taking Methotrexate (once

weekly)

> > three days ago. Now he has headaches, nausea & a slight fever.

> Has

> > anyone else out there had this reaction to this drug & if so, did

> it

> > go away after awhile?..........he's miserable. He's also just

> > started a low dose of Prednisone, but from everything I'm

reading,

> > it's probably the Methotrexate that's causing the grief.

[Guest guest]

Very good point, , and one often overlooked. It is important to

drink plenty of water no matter what meds you are taking. If you have

a serious water retention problem, such that your doctor feels you

need dieuretics, you still need water you just need to balance when

you drink it with how much you drink.....important to discuss with

the doctor prescribing the dieuretics.

Medication needs plenty of water to be absorbed properly in the

system. Water is also extremely important for your teeth when you

take a lot of meds. Your teeth are much more prone to decay if your

body has a shortage of water.

For the many who also have sjorns (sorry, I know I spelled that

wrong) water is especially important.

Bottom line..........drink water, water and more water. You'd be

surprised at how much water can help with much of the nausea

associated with some meds.

Elaine

> > My husband has RA & just started taking Methotrexate (once

weekly)

> > three days ago. Now he has headaches, nausea & a slight fever.

> Has

> > anyone else out there had this reaction to this drug & if so, did

> it

> > go away after awhile?..........he's miserable. He's also just

> > started a low dose of Prednisone, but from everything I'm

reading,

> > it's probably the Methotrexate that's causing the grief.

[Guest guest]

,

I haven't noticed this with mtx, but I have with my Humira.

Sometimes the side effects are different, and sometimes it seems to

work better than others. I also know that I have normal RA

fluctuations so that sometimes I feel more run down than others,

although I can usually relate it to stress or trying to do too much.

It's probably normal, but put it on a list and bring it up to your

rheumy at your next visit. It might warrant upping your folic acid

intake.

Jennie

--- In , " " <dumbblondejogger@y...>

wrote:

> Do you guys notice a difference in side effects sometimes from

week

> to week, or once you get past any initial side effects, is it

> generally OK? I've been taking methotrexate orally for about 5

months

> now. Some weeks I'm fine...just a little fatigue the next day,

but

> no nausea. But every once in a while, I'll feel really lousy for

> about two days after taking it, almost like I've got the flu or

> something. I haven't been able to find any kind of pattern, like

how

> much water or food I've had. I always take it with food and I try

to

> drink plenty of water afterwards.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I've been experiencing dry mouth a lot lately, and wondered why it was still

there after drinking a glass of water. Apparently when I started injecting

MTX, I wasn't drinking more to make up for the stronger reaction. I just

started noticing my tongue hurts, also, and some inside my mouth. In the

last 2 months I've learned a lot, most f it from this board. Among the facts

I have learned is that my Rheumy wasn't doing enough to fix me, otherwise I

may have been able to go back to work!

Dennis

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

>I have found you need to drink plenty of water. The information

> packet I received with my Methotrexate stated you need to keep

> hydrated to help keep your body filtering the medications properly.

> I would assume these side effects could be intensified if you were

> dehydrated. Just something I noticed and thought might help.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Dennis. I get dry mouth for a day or two after I take MTX. I'll

also have sore spots inside my mouth, like I'm developing a mouth

sore but it never really develops. I've only had one honest to

goodness mouth sore since I started it, and it was only there a day

or so. I do take folic acid, so maybe that's preventing me from

getting more actual sores in my mouth.

> I've been experiencing dry mouth a lot lately, and wondered why it

was still

> there after drinking a glass of water. Apparently when I started

injecting

> MTX, I wasn't drinking more to make up for the stronger reaction. I

just

> started noticing my tongue hurts, also, and some inside my mouth.

In the

> last 2 months I've learned a lot, most f it from this board. Among

the facts

> I have learned is that my Rheumy wasn't doing enough to fix me,

otherwise I

> may have been able to go back to work!

>

> Dennis

>

> [ ] Re: Methotrexate

>

>

> >I have found you need to drink plenty of water. The information

> > packet I received with my Methotrexate stated you need to keep

> > hydrated to help keep your body filtering the medications

properly.

> > I would assume these side effects could be intensified if you were

> > dehydrated. Just something I noticed and thought might help.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

I'm taking 2 mg of Folic acid per day since I had to start injecting MTX.

The mouth sores seem to be building over time, so I need to track them since

I'm now relating them to the MTX. My tongue is so sore right now that it

hurts to talk. It's a good thing I'm a man of few words.

Dennis

[ ] Re: Methotrexate

> Hey Dennis. I get dry mouth for a day or two after I take MTX. I'll

> also have sore spots inside my mouth, like I'm developing a mouth

> sore but it never really develops. I've only had one honest to

> goodness mouth sore since I started it, and it was only there a day

> or so. I do take folic acid, so maybe that's preventing me from

> getting more actual sores in my mouth.

>

>

>

>

>> I've been experiencing dry mouth a lot lately, and wondered why it

> was still

>> there after drinking a glass of water. Apparently when I started

> injecting

>> MTX, I wasn't drinking more to make up for the stronger reaction. I

> just

>> started noticing my tongue hurts, also, and some inside my mouth.

> In the

>> last 2 months I've learned a lot, most f it from this board. Among

> the facts

>> I have learned is that my Rheumy wasn't doing enough to fix me,

> otherwise I

>> may have been able to go back to work!

>>

>> Dennis

[Guest guest]

i am usually tired sat/sun after my injection on friday

kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Hi Jessy

I had to come off MTX due to the extreme fatique I experienced I slept for

England but just needed to sleep all the time. It did not get any better

and altho my RA improved my quality of life was zero, and since I needed to

function my doctor took me off it.

Hope it improves for you.

Judith

www.purranza.com

[ ] Methotrexate

>

>

> Hi All,

>

> I am an occasionally poster, but I am wondering.

> Currently I am on 15mg of Methotrexate, and this last

> weekend I was extremely tired. I slept about 12 hours

> each night. Does this get better? Does your energy

> level increase as you get used to the meds? My doctor

> gave me the side effects to expect, but never said

> anything about long term.

>

> Thanks for the help,

> Jessy

>

>

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/25/2005 5:20:51 PM Central Daylight Time, yurstruly@... writes:

The CBS local (NYC) news reported on a new MS treatment of injecting

methotrexate directly into the spinal fluid. A patient using crutches

reported stabilization of his condition for the past year. Side

effects like headache and nausea were fairly mild. Sorry, I didn't get

the MD's name but the CBS station's website says the transcript will

be available "in a few days." It ain't LDN, but it could be one more

arrow in the quiver.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Is this the same thing as Naltrexone???

Marcie

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/25/2005 7:34:08 PM Central Daylight Time, valip@... writes:

Is this the same thing as Naltrexone???

Marcie

No it is not. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug which is used to treat certain cancers (uterine cancer and lymphocytic leukemia come to mind, but please don't quote me), rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Since LDN does not work well with chemotherapy, I would think that it would not work with methotrexate.

Vali

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Vali,

I think I've been brain dead today!! I meant Novantrone, not Naltrexone!! Novantrone is chemo. I'm not interested either! I have enough trouble taking care of myself as it is!! Don't need self-induced illness!!

Marcie

[Guest guest]

My main problem with this treatment would be the same as my main problem

with having another spinal tap. Any time you tap into a sterile area of

the body like the spinal column, you risk getting a serious infection. An

infection in the spinal fluid can kill you pretty darn quickly. I think

I'll stick with my LDN. It doesn't taste great, but at least it's not

likely to kill me.

BTW, I had my yearly exam this morning, my pap smear and all of that. I

saw a doctor I have never seen before, and I told him about LDN. He did

not seem entirely happy about the fact that there have not been any

clinical trials here in this country, but he did seem to be impressed

with the improvements I have seen since I started taking it. I'll

probably see him again in about six months for some pulmonary function

tests (I just quit smoking in the last couple of weeks) and if I can show

some more positive results, perhaps I will be able to win a new convert

for the cause of LDN. I have decided that I will go to that seminar next

week, in spite of the fact that it's put on by the makers of Avonex.

Hopefully I'll be bold enough to ask the doctor who is speaking whether

he has ever heard of LDN.

Vali

From: " dynaman1 "

Date: Mon Apr 25, 2005 4:19 pm

Subject: Methotrexate

The CBS local (NYC) news reported on a new MS treatment of

injecting

methotrexate directly into the spinal fluid. A patient using

crutches

reported stabilization of his condition for the past year. Side

effects like headache and nausea were fairly mild. Sorry, I didn't

get

the MD's name but the CBS station's website says the transcript will

be available " in a few days. " It ain't LDN, but it could be one

more

arrow in the quiver.

[Guest guest]

From: marciemjm@...

Date: Mon Apr 25, 2005 5:49 pm

Subject: Re: [low dose naltrexone] Methotrexate marciemjm@...

The CBS

local (NYC) news reported on a new MS treatment of injecting

methotrexate directly into the spinal fluid. A patient using crutches

reported stabilization of his condition for the past year. Side

effects like headache and nausea were fairly mild. Sorry, I didn't get

the MD's name but the CBS station's website says the transcript will

be available " in a few days. " It ain't LDN, but it could be one

more

arrow in the quiver.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Is this the same thing as Naltrexone???

Marcie

No it is not. Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug which is used to treat

certain cancers (uterine cancer and lymphocytic leukemia come to mind,

but please don't quote me), rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Since LDN

does not work well with chemotherapy, I would think that it would not

work with methotrexate.

Vali

[Guest guest]

Methotrexate and Novantrone are both forms of chemo. They are immune

suppressants and cancel the effects of LDN.

[Guest guest]

It may be an arrow that kills too! I have no Love of chemotherapy drugs.Living with "just" M.S. is plenty bad enuf thanks.

Reg

-- [low dose naltrexone] Methotrexate

The CBS local (NYC) news reported on a new MS treatment of injectingmethotrexate directly into the spinal fluid. A patient using crutchesreported stabilization of his condition for the past year. Sideeffects like headache and nausea were fairly mild. Sorry, I didn't getthe MD's name but the CBS station's website says the transcript willbe available "in a few days." It ain't LDN, but it could be one morearrow in the quiver.

[Guest guest]

Bree--thanks for the info. I'll try to just be patient. Luckily, so far, I

haven't been too sick. I do have a yucky taste in my mouth sometimes, and I did

get queasy in church, but made it through the service. I take it Saturday night

right before bed. I use those little listerine flakes that are kind of like

mints but in a little thin rectangle. They help cover the icky taste a little.

And I drink a lot of water.

Take care!! laura

bree4444 <bree4444@...> wrote:

,

From my own experience, Methotrexate is working within the first 3-4

weeks and should be at its full benefit after the 8th week. I found

this to be true with me. My RA dr. said any dosage adjustments

shouldn't be made before 8 weeks. Your Dr. may need to adjust your

dosage if you are not feeling better after 8 weeks? I don't know

very much yet either. I am only on week 10 of Methotrexate. I also

take Naprosen. Are you on any anti-inflams?

Does MTX med make your tummy upset? I take it on Fridays and feel

kind of crappy for a couple of days. I have (this is gross) burps

that are vomity tasting, nausea, blah, blah... The first few weeks

were worse, but still have some side-effects. I hope this is

helpful~bree

>

> Hi Friends...I know I have been down a lot lately, and I hope

you forgive me for rattling on. I just need to talk a little here.

Something that we all here have discussed before. I went to my folks

and I love them to pieces. They are great, and love me dearly. As

does my sister (my only sibling). But, they do NOT get 'why' I feel

so lousy sometimes. Believe me, I hardly say anything, as I know it

is not a subject that will be comfortable for them. (I have tried to

explain things in the past.) But when asked 'How are you doing? " I

answer honestly, though without all the details. I am sick and tired

of saying " I'm fine. " when I am not.

>

> My folks and sister are NEVER mean or unkind. They just get so

uncomfortable and will not spend even a minute discussing things with

me. If I say I am in a flare and not feeling well they will tell

me, " Oh, well, Mrs. is dying of cancer. " OH MY GOODNESS.

Rarely do they say, " Honey, I'm sorry you are feeling poorly. " What

in the world threatens or scares them so much that I get this kind of

response? I am a compassionate and empathetic person. I have lived

through a love one dying from cancer (more than one loved one.) I am

NOT ever implying that I have it " worse' than anyone, for Pete's

sake. I am just trying to be honest and speak what is on my heart.

My sister, who was a social worker for 25 years and the head of

adoption services for our county, is just as bad. She STILL 'doesn't

get' RA. I think in her mind RA is just a 'touch of arthritis'. I

tried to explain to her that RA and FMS are systemic and affect more

than just one lone joint. She said, " What is

> systemic? "

>

> OK, I really am having a hard time here. I am more tired of

feeling crappy than any of my relatives are of hearing about it, I am

sure. I have kept so much inside because it is not received well.

Why? If one of my kids say something is wrong or they are not

feeling well, I WANT to know what is wrong, I ask questions, I do

research, I call them and tell them I am sorry and ask what I can do.

>

> Now, I am feeling like I am being too hard on my folks and

sister. For there love for me is unquestionable. But I hate feeling

lonely even when I am with them because they cannot or do not 'get

it'. They show their love for me in so many other ways for which I

am grateful. But this still hurts.

>

> I know feeling crummy all night, waking up with my fingers

throbbing and my hips screaming colors things. But just needed to

vent a little.

>

> Love to all...

>

> Tess in Oregon

>

>

[Guest guest]

i was sick with stomach problems for the first 6 weeks. after that i am

tired on the weekends ( i take mine on friday) but i went back to working part

time for the past 3 years. i even started to have a social life again as i have

been attending concerts for the first time in 6 years. mtx has been a godsend

for me. i hope it works for you too.

kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Carol,

I too was petrified to take the methotrexate. I am now taking 7 pills 2.5 mg.

weekly. So far I have been losing my hair and now found out my wbc count is

very low and I am anemic. My doctor has decided to send me to a

hemotologist/oncologist and he may either switch my medication or add another

one to it. I

can honestly say the medication is no longer helping me as I am in pain all day

everyday.

Good luck to you-

sandie

[Guest guest]

Carol,

welcome to the group and sorry to hear of your dx - I was dx'd about 4 months

ago now and first started on Hydroxycholorquine which did nothing to help...

after that I was switched to Arava... which has helped with some general

achiness and morning stiffness, but has done nothing for localized pain and

nightime pain... . about 3 weeks ago I was started on 2.5x6/week of

methotrexate... I took it on a friday night because I'd heard fatigue was a

common side effect. I spent saturday and sunday throwing up and feeling

generally horrible... when not in the bathroom I was sleeping... That was my

first and last dose of MTX. But, my rheumy said that my experience was NOT the

norm... next he will try me on Humira, but I'm recovering from surgery and need

to get a flu shot before that starts. I wouldn't be too nervous... I would

expect to be tired out and yucky, but compared to what you go through on a daily

basis I'm sure thats no different than what you are used to.

Good luck with the MTX... I hope it works wonders for you and welcome to the

group again.

kerri sue

---------------------------------

Music Unlimited - Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

[Guest guest]

The only adverse side effect that I had from mtx was a lowering of my

white blood cell count. I didn't have the nausea and extra fatigue that

others have mentioned.

I don't know why he's sending you to a hematologist. Why doesn't he

just switch your medication? My rheumy switched me to Arava, but that

just continued the decline of the wbc count, so then he switched me to

Enbrel, which works in a different way and doesn't lower the wbc count.

Sue

On Tuesday, October 18, 2005, at 06:05 PM, slmcc93@... wrote:

>

> I too was petrified to take the methotrexate. I am now taking 7 pills

> 2.5 mg.

> weekly. So far I have been losing my hair and now found out my wbc

> count is

> very low and I am anemic. My doctor has decided to send me to a

> hemotologist/oncologist and he may either switch my medication or add

> another one to it.

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol. Welcome to our group. I first tried MTX about 25 years ago.

I was young and knew nothing about RA or it's treatment. I was given

pills and was told this disease could kill me so I'd better make sure

to take them. They gave me terrible stomach cramps and diarrhea,

which I was told was normal and I'd adjust.

I kept taking it for 3 months until I couldn't take it any more. I

was taken off of it.

I tried injection form last year which didn't bother my stomach at

all but it elevated my liver enzymes. Many rheumatologists would have

kept me on it in spite of the enzyme elevation because studies

indicated that elevations of 2-3 times the normal rate were ok. My

rheumy didn't agree and took me off, wanted me to have a liver

biopsy, refused to prescribe my pain meds, instead sending me to pain

management.

He totally over reacted. He even told me my liver was enlarged

although I told him he was pushing on my ribs and hurting me. I did

NOT want a liver biopsy so I went to my family doctor and she ordered

an ultrasound. Her exam showed NO enlargement and the ultrasound was

normal. I quickly found a new rheumatologist.

Last month I started back on injectable mtx, but I'm only taking a

low dose 7.5 mg's in combination with Enbrel. So far I just feel more

tired the 2 days after I take it.

It also decreases my appetite, which is a good thing LOL!

I was afraid of MTX for many years but after extensive reading on it,

I am willing to give it a shot. It is one of the oldest drug used in

rheumatology so the safety profile is well known. Careful monitoring

of blood tests will catch any problems. I have a lot of reading

material on my website:

http://arthritissupport.info/drugs.html#mtx

a

On Oct 18, 2005, at 12:30 PM, Carol Zwald wrote:

> Hi everyone:

>

> I'm new to this group and recently diagnosed with RA. My doctor

> first prescribed

> Hydroxychlor 200 mg and Prednisone 15mg. This was working for a

> short time then

> inflamation and pain started again. Now she has added methotrexate

> 2.4mg x 4 once a

> week. I picked up the meds last week and have not taken any yet.

> I'm afraid. I live alone

> and have a lot of responsibilities (56 yrs. old). Anyway, can

> anyone share stories - good

> and bad experiences about this drug?

>

> Thanks so much.

> Carol Zwald

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

I have been taking Methotrexate since July - currently taking 10

pills one time a week. I have had no problems with it at all - it has

not bothered my stomach at all. I don't tend to be sensitive to meds.

My only problem is it's not working well, but I am adding another

medication to my list. Hope it works for you - I know these meds

sound scary, but the alternative is not so good, you know? Hang in

there.

- NC