methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the info. I'll let you know how I do. I plan to start this

Friday since that seems to make the most since in this group! I

understand about not having a social life. It kind of turns your world

up side down when health issues take priority. I know that has been my

focus for about three years now. Hopefully things will level out soon.

I'm not even working right now - in fact that's a big stress issue

that is probably making the RA worse.

Carol Z.

On Oct 18, 2005, at 1:44 PM, kringlemom@... wrote:

> 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]

Thanks Kerri and good luck to you too!

Gee I'm so nervous about this but I know it's what I have to do. You

know before I got sick... I always said I would seek out alternative

medicine and natural/healthy remedies....... well when you're in

PAIN...... one needs fast acting medication. sad but true huh???

....more and more I realize how silly we are to say what we would

" never " do........... ya never know!

Carol

On Oct 18, 2005, at 2:52 PM, kerri paquette wrote:

> 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]

do doctors ever try to figure out " why " the medication doesn't work for

some or works for a short time then stops. I feel there has to be a

" reason " i.e. - too much stress - too much medications - there is a

reason for everything.... the remedy seems to be always MORE

medication....

I do ask doctors these questions and mine don't like it....... my

questions have always gotten me in trouble. It is not my intent to

offend anyone rather to slow all of us down enough to look at the

situations ..... ya know???

These groups are great. Talk does help.... if we didn't have each

other who would be talk to??? Our doctors - bless their hearts are too

afraid and stressed themselves!

Carol

On Oct 18, 2005, at 3:05 PM, slmcc93@... wrote:

> 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]

Wow! 25 years you have been dealing with this......... guess I need

to " buck up " huh bucky??? I just don't do well when I'm " told " to take

something with no explanation or very little at any rate. That seems

why we have these groups....... cuz the people in the white coats don't

take the time. By the way - do you have trouble writing with a pen???

I sure do and have for the past 2 or 3 years...... does it get better

with medication?

Here's to you a! Thanks.

Carol

On Oct 18, 2005, at 4:32 PM, a wrote:

> 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]

Thanks .

I agree it's good we have these medications.

Carol - modesto ca

On Oct 18, 2005, at 6:04 PM, jhawkot87 wrote:

> 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

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Sue,

I am just disgusted with this whole stinking disease. I have tons going on

personally and my hubby has been having trouble with hypertension. along with

that and taking care of the kids daily we have also had 2 deaths in the family

in the past 2 months. now it looks like this silly hurricane is headed my way

and i just cant take it anymore. I honestly cant tell you when I felt good.

It seems like such a long time ago and it is so disheartening. I will go to

the hematologist like my rheumy wants but i do see him on tuesday and want to

go over how I am feeling. I dont think I am getting much relief from the mtx as

my hands and feet hurt so much now. when my gfeet start the pain is so bad it

turns my stomach. Ultram does nothing to relieve the pain and my doc wont

prescribe anything else. My primary doc made me sign a controlled substance

paper

and then gave me one prescription for lortab. I guess he wanted me to kiss

his feet because i hoarded these meds and only took them when absolutley

necessary and when I made an appointment to have them renewed 3 months later his

nurse called me and very rudely told me he would not renew my prescription as I

did not keep an appointment for a pap test(yup you heard right) so therefore he

was stopping all meds to me. I was so infuriated that I actually called my

insurance company and put in a formal complain against him and then switched

docs. I now have to wait til the middle of november for a new paitient visit

with

him. Sorry to ramble on it is just that so much is getting to me and I feel

like no doctor will listen to me or help me.I am thinking of asking for my

rheumy to prescribe something for depression for me. I feel so bad for my kids,

some days I snap at them for the least little thing just because of how lousy I

feel. I cant remember when I got my last good nights sleep and now my mom is

supposed to come for a visit in a few weeks and I just dont feel up to

" visiting " UGh. If you got this far in my complaining thanks- sorry to go on and

on.

take care

sandie

[Guest guest]

There are a few of us here that have had RA for a very long time. I

was diagnosed around 1976 when I was in my early 20's. It was mild at

first but really hit me after my second child was born in 1984. Like

you, I want an explanation! I've had doctors that resent being

questioned and others that appreciate an inquisitive mind.

Some just want you to shut up and take whatever they give you and

others will take the time to explain.

I am an anomaly in that the RA has NOT affected my hands. For years

I've disputed my diagnoses because it hasn't affected my hands, but

all rheumatologists I've been to have said that although it is

uncommon to have hands unaffected, they've seen other patients with

no hand involvement. My worse joints are my ankles and knees (have

had both replaced) and not so bad in my elbow and wrist. The most

debilitating problem for me is fatigue and muscle pain, which is

caused by fibromyalgia. My best relief is swimming.

If you find the right meds, it is very possible that it will get much

better. This list is 6 years old and I've read a lot of personal

stories. We've lost many members after they find meds that work and

no longer need support. I wish they would hang around and encourage

others. I've also read stories of people that are resistant to every

medication on the market. Until Enbrel in 1999, I was classified as

medication resistant. There are lots more options available now, but

many find the old standards also work. Combining the old and new

medications has had great success. But until they find the cause of

rheumatic diseases, they will never find the cure.

No you don't have to buck up LOL! Everyone copes with this wretched

disease in different ways. Whine and cheese are served daily here, so

bucking up isn't a necessity. We all need someone to vent to.

a

On Oct 19, 2005, at 12:48 AM, Carol Zwald wrote:

> Wow! 25 years you have been dealing with this......... guess I need

> to " buck up " huh bucky??? I just don't do well when I'm " told " to

> take

> something with no explanation or very little at any rate. That seems

> why we have these groups....... cuz the people in the white coats

> don't

> take the time. By the way - do you have trouble writing with a pen???

> I sure do and have for the past 2 or 3 years...... does it get better

> with medication?

> Here's to you a! Thanks.

> Carol

[Guest guest]

Carol,

Welcome to the group. The first time I took mtx I was

sick to my stomache and throwing up. But after that

first dose I didn't have anymore problems. It was a

wonder drug for me. I just recently started taking

Enbrel along with the mxt. I hope this helps.

Beth(AR)

--- Carol Zwald <zwaldski@...> 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

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________

Music Unlimited

Access over 1 million songs. Try it free.

http://music./unlimited/

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

Just wanted to say I too like have had no problems ever on

MTX. I started in about 1988 when the gold shots stopped working

and was up to 9 pills per week. they, along with Voltaren were my

mainstays along with various forms of codine til enbrel arrived on

the scene. Now I just take MTX (4 pills per week), enbrel &

voltaren as needed. Different people react differently to meds.

Maybe MTX won't bother you at all. At least I hope not!

Hugs,

Lori

>

> > 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

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Sandie,

I'm sorry that you're having such a bad time. If I were you, I'd ask

him if he doesn't think the low wbc count was caused by methotrexate.

It certainly can cause it in some people, and I was one of them. After

all, it does suppress the immune system. Why don't you ask him about

Enbrel or Humira? They suppress it in a different way. You should ask

him for an anti-depressant, too. Chronic pain is enough to make anyone

depressed. I take two triclycic anti-depressants to prevent migraines,

so I don't usually get depressed. But I certainly did back when I

hadn't been diagnosed correctly and was having unbearable pain. I hope

you soon get some relief. Let us know how your appointments go.

Sue

On Wednesday, October 19, 2005, at 11:20 AM, slmcc93@... wrote:

> Sue,

> I am just disgusted with this whole stinking disease. I have tons

> going on

> personally and my hubby has been having trouble with hypertension.

> along with

> that and taking care of the kids daily we have also had 2 deaths in

> the family

> in the past 2 months. now it looks like this silly hurricane is headed

> my way

> and i just cant take it anymore. I honestly cant tell you when I felt

> good.

> It seems like such a long time ago and it is so disheartening. I will

> go to

> the hematologist like my rheumy wants but i do see him on tuesday and

> want to

> go over how I am feeling. I dont think I am getting much relief from

> the mtx as

> my hands and feet hurt so much now. when my gfeet start the pain is so

> bad it

> turns my stomach. Ultram does nothing to relieve the pain and my doc

> wont

> prescribe anything else. My primary doc made me sign a controlled

> substance paper

> and then gave me one prescription for lortab. I guess he wanted me to

> kiss

> his feet because i hoarded these meds and only took them when

> absolutley

> necessary and when I made an appointment to have them renewed 3 months

> later his

> nurse called me and very rudely told me he would not renew my

> prescription as I

> did not keep an appointment for a pap test(yup you heard right) so

> therefore he

> was stopping all meds to me. I was so infuriated that I actually

> called my

> insurance company and put in a formal complain against him and then

> switched

> docs. I now have to wait til the middle of november for a new paitient

> visit with

> him. Sorry to ramble on it is just that so much is getting to me and I

> feel

> like no doctor will listen to me or help me.I am thinking of asking

> for my

> rheumy to prescribe something for depression for me. I feel so bad for

> my kids,

> some days I snap at them for the least little thing just because of

> how lousy I

> feel. I cant remember when I got my last good nights sleep and now my

> mom is

> supposed to come for a visit in a few weeks and I just dont feel up to

> " visiting " UGh. If you got this far in my complaining thanks- sorry to

> go on and on.

> take care

> sandie

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi neighbor.. I am in Lodi!

I have very minor side affects from mtx.. I take 20mg per week.. was

recently upped from 15 mg. In the begginning my WBC was too low..but

that has leveled out. I have noticed some gum inflammation and some

other minor things ( thinning hair)..but overall I have not suffered

major side affects. It took many months to notice improvement in the

RA ( i started in feb). Today I am about 60% improved from my worst

point, ( was bedridden) I still flare but am doing much better.

Faith

--- In , " Carol Zwald " <zwaldski@s...>

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]

Hello to both of you, I am in Stockton. I could not take MTX pills, they

really made me sick, I would throw up all the next day. But as soon as I

started the Mtx injections things were much better. I suppose now that I am on

disability, it would not matter if got sick, but when I was working they

offered to put my computer in the ladies restroom! I also take Plaquinel,

Prednisone, Celebrex and Enbrel injections. The mix works and other than a lot

of

forgetfullness, I am doing very much better. Please feel free to contact me

direct if you would like to.

Gentle Hugs,

Carol M. in CA

[Guest guest]

,

Oral mtx did the same thing to my stomach. I now am on injectable mtx

and it doesn't bother my

stomach. Besides being easier on the stomach, injectable mtx is more

effective. It may be worth a try.

a

On Apr 16, 2006, at 10:21 PM, wrote:

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a

> terrible flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy,

> my reg. doc has been trying to treat me for about a year and a

> half, ever since she diagnosed me, because rheumys around here

> don't like my ins. She has me on prednisone, but it isn't working.

> I have been on methotrxate twice and it works wonders, but it tears

> my stomach up. Is there anything that I could take that would help

> with my stomach issues so that I could take the mtx? She really

> doesn't have any experience with this med as she is just a general

> practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and

> one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make

> a trip like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like

> the only times I post are to ask questions and for advice, but I

> know that you all know what I am going through and know a lot more

> about it than I do. I do read all of the posts and pray for

>

[Guest guest]

,

My advice is to go the distance to see the rheumy. Rheumys know about

other medications besides methotrexate that can stop the progression

of RA. Prednisone alone is not enough and is not good for long-term

use, since it has so many adverse side effects.

If you cannot drive yourself that far, maybe you could get someone to

drive you. Now, me, I cannot drive myself much of anywhere because I

have no sense of direction, so my husband has to take me to my doctor

appointments.

I hope you can get some relief soon.

Sue

On Sunday, April 16, 2006, at 10:21 PM, wrote:

> A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and one half hours

> away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a trip like that.

>

[Guest guest]

My husband will take me, it's just that I have other health issues also, and I

cannot make a trip like that, even just riding.

Re: [ ] methotrexate

,

My advice is to go the distance to see the rheumy. Rheumys know about

other medications besides methotrexate that can stop the progression

of RA. Prednisone alone is not enough and is not good for long-term

use, since it has so many adverse side effects.

If you cannot drive yourself that far, maybe you could get someone to

drive you. Now, me, I cannot drive myself much of anywhere because I

have no sense of direction, so my husband has to take me to my doctor

appointments.

I hope you can get some relief soon.

Sue

On Sunday, April 16, 2006, at 10:21 PM, wrote:

> A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and one half hours

> away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a trip like that.

>

[Guest guest]

I have already asked her about the injectable and she doesn't know enough about

it, to be comfortable giving it to me.

Re: [ ] methotrexate

,

Oral mtx did the same thing to my stomach. I now am on injectable mtx

and it doesn't bother my

stomach. Besides being easier on the stomach, injectable mtx is more

effective. It may be worth a try.

a

On Apr 16, 2006, at 10:21 PM, wrote:

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a

> terrible flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy,

> my reg. doc has been trying to treat me for about a year and a

> half, ever since she diagnosed me, because rheumys around here

> don't like my ins. She has me on prednisone, but it isn't working.

> I have been on methotrxate twice and it works wonders, but it tears

> my stomach up. Is there anything that I could take that would help

> with my stomach issues so that I could take the mtx? She really

> doesn't have any experience with this med as she is just a general

> practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and

> one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make

> a trip like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like

> the only times I post are to ask questions and for advice, but I

> know that you all know what I am going through and know a lot more

> about it than I do. I do read all of the posts and pray for

>

[Guest guest]

,

What some members have done is to print out information and bring it

to their doctor.

Maybe if she read the information, she would feel more comfortable.

a

On Apr 17, 2006, at 9:34 AM, wrote:

> I have already asked her about the injectable and she doesn't know

> enough about it, to be comfortable giving it to me.

[Guest guest]

, I'm so sorry to hear that you aren't doing well and that you have

difficulty traveling.

As a has suggested, I would try injectable MTX, since MTX works for you.

Did you take folic acid in addition to the oral MTX? How much? Folic acid

can help reduce the side effects of both the oral and injectable forms of

MTX.

Perhaps your GP could talk to a rheumatologist or a pharmacist about

injectable MTX?

Prednisone shouldn't be used on its own for treatment of RA. It has only

limited disease-modifying properties, and long-term use of prednisone is

associated with a whole host of negative effects.

a's site has a lot of good links to information on RA treatments:

http://arthritissupport.info/drugs.html

Not an MD

I'll tell you where to go!

Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

[ ] methotrexate

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a terrible

> flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy, my reg. doc has

> been trying to treat me for about a year and a half, ever since she

> diagnosed me, because rheumys around here don't like my ins. She has me on

> prednisone, but it isn't working. I have been on methotrxate twice and it

> works wonders, but it tears my stomach up. Is there anything that I could

> take that would help with my stomach issues so that I could take the mtx?

> She really doesn't have any experience with this med as she is just a

> general practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and

> one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a trip

> like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like the only times I

> post are to ask questions and for advice, but I know that you all know

> what I am going through and know a lot more about it than I do. I do read

> all of the posts and pray for you. Sorry that this is so long. Thanks in

> advance. God Bless You, and Happy Easter! in KY

[Guest guest]

, I was taking 1 mg. of folic acid with the mtx. It seems like I had read on

here that people took more than that, but I can't remember how much. Does the

mtx also reduce the progression of the damage to joints? Thank you so much for

trying to help me, I feel so helpless. Also, I have been on the prednisone alone

for 2 months now. I started out at a high dose for like the first few days, and

have been on 5mg. daily since. Is that bad? It doesn't seem to be helping at

all anyway. She has also tried 3 different pain meds and none of those have

helped either. Thanks,

[ ] methotrexate

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a terrible

> flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy, my reg. doc has

> been trying to treat me for about a year and a half, ever since she

> diagnosed me, because rheumys around here don't like my ins. She has me on

> prednisone, but it isn't working. I have been on methotrxate twice and it

> works wonders, but it tears my stomach up. Is there anything that I could

> take that would help with my stomach issues so that I could take the mtx?

> She really doesn't have any experience with this med as she is just a

> general practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and

> one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a trip

> like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like the only times I

> post are to ask questions and for advice, but I know that you all know

> what I am going through and know a lot more about it than I do. I do read

> all of the posts and pray for you. Sorry that this is so long. Thanks in

> advance. God Bless You, and Happy Easter! in KY

[Guest guest]

.

I failed on MTX and I was on pills and went to injectable...just too many

side effects. But when I was taking I took 5mg of folic acid a day...plus a

super strength folic acid on the day I took my MTX...it was called Leukovorin.

PLease get in to see the rheummy. You should also be getting labwork done

to make sure there are no problems with the MTX. When I was on it I had

labwork every two weeks...then after a period of time I had labwork done

monthly.

The same oral dose translate into an injectable dose. Many people have been

on lower injectable dosages cause it works better than the oral stuff.

Good luck

Toni

In a message dated 4/17/2006 5:59:55 P.M. Central Daylight Time,

writes:

From: " " melissahancock@...

Date: Mon Apr 17, 2006 11:36am(PDT)

Subject: Re: methotrexate

, I was taking 1 mg. of folic acid with the mtx. It seems like I had

read on here that people took more than that, but I can't remember how much.

Does the mtx also reduce the progression of the damage to joints? Thank you so

much for trying to help me, I feel so helpless. Also, I have been on the

prednisone alone for 2 months now. I started out at a high dose for like the

first few days, and have been on 5mg. daily since. Is that bad? It doesn't

seem to be helping at all anyway. She has also tried 3 different pain meds and

none of those have helped either. Thanks,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/17/2006 7:06:15 PM Central Standard Time,

bonniebaron@... writes:

i take a prescription version of prilosec otc although i think it's

because i take my pain meds on an empty tummy quite often but that

might be something to ask your doctor about . . . . i take one pill

each morning. it might help with your meds. just a thought.

would that be protonix?

http://www1.myspace.com/julz2kidz

[Guest guest]

I take 2 mg most days, 3 mgs on the day before, of, and after MTX.

Sierra

--- In , " " <melissahancock@...>

wrote:

>

> , I was taking 1 mg. of folic acid with the mtx. It seems like

I had read on here that people took more than that, but I can't

remember how much. Does the mtx also reduce the progression of the

damage to joints? Thank you so much for trying to help me, I feel so

helpless. Also, I have been on the prednisone alone for 2 months now.

I started out at a high dose for like the first few days, and have

been on 5mg. daily since. Is that bad? It doesn't seem to be

helping at all anyway. She has also tried 3 different pain meds and

none of those have helped either.

Thanks,

> [ ] methotrexate

>

>

> > Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a

terrible

> > flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy, my

reg. doc has

> > been trying to treat me for about a year and a half, ever since

she

> > diagnosed me, because rheumys around here don't like my ins.

She has me on

> > prednisone, but it isn't working. I have been on methotrxate

twice and it

> > works wonders, but it tears my stomach up. Is there anything

that I could

> > take that would help with my stomach issues so that I could

take the mtx?

> > She really doesn't have any experience with this med as she is

just a

> > general practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but

she is 2 and

> > one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot

make a trip

> > like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like the

only times I

> > post are to ask questions and for advice, but I know that you

all know

> > what I am going through and know a lot more about it than I

do. I do read

> > all of the posts and pray for you. Sorry that this is so

long. Thanks in

> > advance. God Bless You, and Happy Easter! in KY

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

i take a prescription version of prilosec otc although i think it's

because i take my pain meds on an empty tummy quite often but that

might be something to ask your doctor about . . . . i take one pill

each morning. it might help with your meds. just a thought.

bon/boys

--- In , " " <melissahancock@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a

terrible flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy, my

reg. doc has been trying to treat me for about a year and a half,

ever since she diagnosed me, because rheumys around here don't like

my ins. She has me on prednisone, but it isn't working. I have been

on methotrxate twice and it works wonders, but it tears my stomach

up. Is there anything that I could take that would help with my

stomach issues so that I could take the mtx? She really doesn't have

any experience with this med as she is just a general practitioner.

A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and one half hours

away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a trip like

that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like the only times I

post are to ask questions and for advice, but I know that you all

know what I am going through and know a lot more about it than I do.

I do read all of the posts and pray for you. Sorry that this is so

long. Thanks in advance. God Bless You, and Happy Easter!

in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi ,

I am sorry ;you are suffering I know the feeling Where in Kentucky

do you live Please find yourself a rheumy soon.

I am thinking of you

Angie

--- In , " " <melissahancock@...>

wrote:

>

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a

terrible flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy, my

reg. doc has been trying to treat me for about a year and a half,

ever since she diagnosed me, because rheumys around here don't like

my ins. She has me on prednisone, but it isn't working. I have been

on methotrxate twice and it works wonders, but it tears my stomach

up. Is there anything that I could take that would help with my

stomach issues so that I could take the mtx? She really doesn't

have any experience with this med as she is just a general

practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and

one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a

trip like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like the

only times I post are to ask questions and for advice, but I know

that you all know what I am going through and know a lot more about

it than I do. I do read all of the posts and pray for you. Sorry

that this is so long. Thanks in advance. God Bless You, and

Happy Easter! in KY

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Angie, I live in Wayne County in southeast KY. The nearest rheumy is in

Lexington, the one that is willing to see me is at the University of Kentucky

Clinic. My husband said that we would go up the night before, because I can't

function early in the morning and I have to be there at 10:30 am. Thing is, I

don't know how often you have to go to a rheumy, and we can't afford a hotel

room every time if I have to go often. Oh well I guess we will have to see.

Thank you for thinking of me.

[ ] Re: methotrexate

hi ,

I am sorry ;you are suffering I know the feeling Where in Kentucky

do you live Please find yourself a rheumy soon.

I am thinking of you

Angie

>

> Hi everyone, I haven't posted in awhile. I have been having a

terrible flare for a long time. I still haven't been to a rheumy, my

reg. doc has been trying to treat me for about a year and a half,

ever since she diagnosed me, because rheumys around here don't like

my ins. She has me on prednisone, but it isn't working. I have been

on methotrxate twice and it works wonders, but it tears my stomach

up. Is there anything that I could take that would help with my

stomach issues so that I could take the mtx? She really doesn't

have any experience with this med as she is just a general

practitioner. A rheumy finally agreed to see me but she is 2 and

one half hours away, and I am in such bad shape that I cannot make a

trip like that. I really hate to be a pain, and it seems like the

only times I post are to ask questions and for advice, but I know

that you all know what I am going through and know a lot more about

it than I do. I do read all of the posts and pray for you. Sorry

that this is so long. Thanks in advance. God Bless You, and

Happy Easter! in KY

>

>