methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Hi , I already take prilosec twice a day, and I always make sure that I eat

right before taking my meds. Evidently, I just have a really sensitive

stomach.Thank You for the suggestions, keep them coming lol.

in KY

Re: [ ] Re: methotrexate

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]

,

One of the most important goals of RA treatment is to slow or stop the

progression of the disease. To do that, disease-modifying antirheumatic

drugs (DMARDs) are employed. Unfortunately, prednisone is not classified as

a DMARD.

Although prednisone seems to have some disease-modifying power, especially

early on in the disease course, in the long run, it cannot do for you what,

for example, MTX and the biologics can. Prednisone's benefit/risk ratio is

not as good as that of DMARDs.

Feeling good is also very important, and there is no denying that prednisone

works very well to reduce inflammation quickly in many situations.

A very prudent use of prednisone in RA is as " bridging therapy " - using

prednisone to control inflammation until DMARDs begin to take effect and

then slowly tapering off of it. Another is to use a prednisone just for a

few days for serious flares.

If you stay on prednisone daily though, you may find it difficult to

discontinue it in the future. And, though not everyone who takes prednisone

chronically experiences serious side effects, many people do. You may

experience: weight gain, hypertension, osteoporosis, fractures, cataracts,

or new or worsening diabetes, to name a few.

If you don't believe it is working for you, I'm not sure if it's wise for

your physician to keep you on it. Then you are exposing yourself to all of

the risks with little or no benefit. Why not talk to your physician about

it?

Some people take as much as 5 mg of folic acid per day with their MTX, but

your physician should advise you on this point.

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

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]

Hello ,

How are you?

I " listened " to you every time. I try not to " mess " everything because I do

have RA

The e-mail addressed to is like it all came across to me...exactly!

The stroke/aphasia makes me forget. Thank you for information on methotrexate,

predizone and folic acid.

Sharon ribbon54sews

<Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

,

One of the most important goals of RA treatment is to slow or stop the

progression of the disease. To do that, disease-modifying antirheumatic

drugs (DMARDs) are employed. Unfortunately, prednisone is not classified as

a DMARD.

Although prednisone seems to have some disease-modifying power, especially

early on in the disease course, in the long run, it cannot do for you what,

for example, MTX and the biologics can. Prednisone's benefit/risk ratio is

not as good as that of DMARDs.

Feeling good is also very important, and there is no denying that prednisone

works very well to reduce inflammation quickly in many situations.

A very prudent use of prednisone in RA is as " bridging therapy " - using

prednisone to control inflammation until DMARDs begin to take effect and

then slowly tapering off of it. Another is to use a prednisone just for a

few days for serious flares.

If you stay on prednisone daily though, you may find it difficult to

discontinue it in the future. And, though not everyone who takes prednisone

chronically experiences serious side effects, many people do. You may

experience: weight gain, hypertension, osteoporosis, fractures, cataracts,

or new or worsening diabetes, to name a few.

If you don't believe it is working for you, I'm not sure if it's wise for

your physician to keep you on it. Then you are exposing yourself to all of

the risks with little or no benefit. Why not talk to your physician about

it?

Some people take as much as 5 mg of folic acid per day with their MTX, but

your physician should advise you on this point.

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

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]

Hello ,

How are you?

I " listened " to you every time. I try not to " mess " everything because I do

have RA

The e-mail addressed to is like it all came across to me...exactly!

The stroke/aphasia makes me forget. Thank you for information on methotrexate,

predizone and folic acid.

Sharon ribbon54sews

<Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:

,

One of the most important goals of RA treatment is to slow or stop the

progression of the disease. To do that, disease-modifying antirheumatic

drugs (DMARDs) are employed. Unfortunately, prednisone is not classified as

a DMARD.

Although prednisone seems to have some disease-modifying power, especially

early on in the disease course, in the long run, it cannot do for you what,

for example, MTX and the biologics can. Prednisone's benefit/risk ratio is

not as good as that of DMARDs.

Feeling good is also very important, and there is no denying that prednisone

works very well to reduce inflammation quickly in many situations.

A very prudent use of prednisone in RA is as " bridging therapy " - using

prednisone to control inflammation until DMARDs begin to take effect and

then slowly tapering off of it. Another is to use a prednisone just for a

few days for serious flares.

If you stay on prednisone daily though, you may find it difficult to

discontinue it in the future. And, though not everyone who takes prednisone

chronically experiences serious side effects, many people do. You may

experience: weight gain, hypertension, osteoporosis, fractures, cataracts,

or new or worsening diabetes, to name a few.

If you don't believe it is working for you, I'm not sure if it's wise for

your physician to keep you on it. Then you are exposing yourself to all of

the risks with little or no benefit. Why not talk to your physician about

it?

Some people take as much as 5 mg of folic acid per day with their MTX, but

your physician should advise you on this point.

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

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]

, How often you see the rheumy depends on the doc and your condition.

Also when on mtx you have to have labs drawn usually every 6-8 weeks depending

on the doc and your results. You might check with the social services dept of

the Univ. Hospital and see if they have a house or motel that provides a free or

reduced rate fare for pt and families-some do. Also you may be able to have

your labs drawn at a local physicans office or local hosp. and the results sent

to the rheumy. I only see my rheumy every 4 months but have my labs drawn more

frequently. Hope you are able to get to see the rheumy soon and try the

injectable mtx as it works well for many people who cannot tolerate taking it by

mouth.

<melissahancock@...> wrote: 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

>

>

[Guest guest]

, that sounds like a good plan, to go up the night before. You

really do need a rheumy; your GP herself does not think she is

competent to give you treatment.

I see my rheumy only every six months because I'm pretty well

stabilized on Enbrel. At the beginning, you might have to go more

often, but getting stabilized is a worthy goal. RA is probably doing

permanent damage now to your joints. I wish you luck. I hope you can

get an appointment very soon.

Sue

On Monday, April 17, 2006, at 10:07 PM, wrote:

> 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.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi and ,Years ago when i was on mtx,i was taking folic

acid for 4 days 10mg.Now i take 1 tablet of 5gms per week,i was

wondering why the change in dose's,i have looked for anything

relating to this on the web,but no luck., steroids are a

wonderful drug,but they do mask other health probs that may be

present.I have had them over the years but on short basis,mostly for

lung probs,as they do work very well.I wouldn't stay on them for any

length of time though.Its up to you but i would definately try other

DMARD's than stay on preds.

>

> ,

>

>

> One of the most important goals of RA treatment is to slow or stop

the

> progression of the disease. To do that, disease-modifying

antirheumatic

> drugs (DMARDs) are employed. Unfortunately, prednisone is not

classified as

> a DMARD.

>

> Although prednisone seems to have some disease-modifying power,

especially

> early on in the disease course, in the long run, it cannot do for

you what,

> for example, MTX and the biologics can. Prednisone's benefit/risk

ratio is

> not as good as that of DMARDs.

>

> Feeling good is also very important, and there is no denying that

prednisone

> works very well to reduce inflammation quickly in many situations.

>

> A very prudent use of prednisone in RA is as " bridging therapy " -

using

> prednisone to control inflammation until DMARDs begin to take

effect and

> then slowly tapering off of it. Another is to use a prednisone

just for a

> few days for serious flares.

>

> If you stay on prednisone daily though, you may find it difficult

to

> discontinue it in the future. And, though not everyone who takes

prednisone

> chronically experiences serious side effects, many people do. You

may

> experience: weight gain, hypertension, osteoporosis, fractures,

cataracts,

> or new or worsening diabetes, to name a few.

>

> If you don't believe it is working for you, I'm not sure if it's

wise for

> your physician to keep you on it. Then you are exposing yourself

to all of

> the risks with little or no benefit. Why not talk to your

physician about

> it?

>

> Some people take as much as 5 mg of folic acid per day with their

MTX, but

> your physician should advise you on this point.

>

>

>

> 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

>

>

> 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]

, I have my blood work done locally, and it's faxed to my

rheumy. With Enbrel, I have to have it done every three months, but it

was much more frequent when I was on methotrexate. This arrangement

works so well for me that I started the same plan with my

endocrinologist.

Sue

On Tuesday, April 18, 2006, at 02:20 PM, Boyd wrote:

> Also you may be able to have your labs drawn at a local physicans

> office or local hosp. and the results sent to the rheumy. I only see

> my rheumy every 4 months but have my labs drawn more frequently.

>

[Guest guest]

,

The mtx injections have less side effects, so you might give that a

try. Make sure you take Folic acid too. I hope you feel better

soon. It would be good to see a rheumy, I know how hard those long

trips are. When I first started seeing a rheumy, it took about that

long. I only had to go every three months, so that wasn't too bad.

I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

--- 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 ,

My husband has been on 10 mg of methotrexate since the beginnging of

the year. The only side effect he has had is a little bit of uspet

stomach. The wonderful people out here told us he should take it at

night before bed and that works fantastically. He sleeps through

most of the nausea. Also he takes it on friday nights that way he

does not have to get up early on saturday and if he doesnt feel well

he can sleep. Other than the little bit of upset stomach he has not

had any problems with it.

Have a great day,

>

> Hi to all,

> I am due to start taking methotrexate this wknd. (10mg.pills) and

was

> wondering about the side effects. For those who have suffered

through

> them, how quickly did you start to feel them? Right away or after

a

> few weeks? Also, anyone who suffered hair loss. How did it

happen?

> Thinning, clumps, over time, right away?? I'm going to be taking

folic

> vitamins with it, but am a little anxious what to expect. I hear

the

> injections offer less side effects, but for insurance reasons,

they're

> not an option right now. Also, if anyone can suggest some easy

reading

> books on RA that I might give to my boyfriend. He's been very

> supportive, but I can see from the look in his eyes, that he can't

> understand it. I don't blame him, very few who don't have it or

have

> someone close who has can understand. Thanks in advance for any

help.

>

>

[Guest guest]

it's something that begins with an " a " but i've completely forgotten

what it is . . . . .

bon/boys

>

>

>

>

>

> 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]

okay, i give up . . . . if the med is the same and the dose is the

same, why do the injectibles have less side effects than the pills ?

hugs, bon/boys

> >

> > 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]

My Mom's hair loss comes from thinning and has happened over time. I

see there are many here who experience no hair loss. Maybe the

dosage of folic acid has something to do with that, or maybe it's

just differences among people. Maybe you'll be one who will

experience no hair loss. More importantly, maybe MTX will help you a

great deal. The possibility of side effects, I know, seems

overwhelming; but if it helps, those fears seem to diminish when your

pain lessens.

Good luck and remember to come back to this board. The people here

have been so helpful to me whenever I have asked a question. Maybe

your boyfriend could read a couple of the messages here to help him

understand a little bit more what you are going through.

> >

> > Hi to all,

> > I am due to start taking methotrexate this wknd. (10mg.pills) and

> was

> > wondering about the side effects. For those who have suffered

> through

> > them, how quickly did you start to feel them? Right away or

after

> a

> > few weeks? Also, anyone who suffered hair loss. How did it

> happen?

> > Thinning, clumps, over time, right away?? I'm going to be taking

> folic

> > vitamins with it, but am a little anxious what to expect. I hear

> the

> > injections offer less side effects, but for insurance reasons,

> they're

> > not an option right now. Also, if anyone can suggest some easy

> reading

> > books on RA that I might give to my boyfriend. He's been very

> > supportive, but I can see from the look in his eyes, that he

can't

> > understand it. I don't blame him, very few who don't have it or

> have

> > someone close who has can understand. Thanks in advance for any

> help.

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your response!

[Guest guest]

Bonnie,

The most common side effects of oral MTX are gastrointestinal side effects.

If one injects the MTX, one bypasses the GI tract.

Not only are there usually less side effects with injectable MTX, the

bioavailability of the MTX is much higher.

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

[ ] Re: methotrexate

> okay, i give up . . . . if the med is the same and the dose is the

> same, why do the injectibles have less side effects than the pills ?

>

> hugs, bon/boys

>

>

>>

>> ,

>>

>> The mtx injections have less side effects, so you might give that a

>> try. Make sure you take Folic acid too. I hope you feel better

>> soon. It would be good to see a rheumy, I know how hard those long

>> trips are. When I first started seeing a rheumy, it took about

> that

>> long. I only had to go every three months, so that wasn't too

> bad.

>> I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

I too am taking MTX (15mg) per week. I have not experienced any thing more

than upset stomach and fatigue. I take tums when the upset stomach is bad, but

so far I have not experienced any major side effects. Hair loss and the mouth

sores were my biggest fears, but (knock on wood) I have not had any. I've been

on MTX since Oct. still have some problems with stiffness and fatigue but can

still work. Best of luck to you and feel better. Peggy

cathydwan <Kabitza@...> wrote:

Hi to all,

I am due to start taking methotrexate this wknd. (10mg.pills) and was

wondering about the side effects. For those who have suffered through

them, how quickly did you start to feel them? Right away or after a

few weeks? Also, anyone who suffered hair loss. How did it happen?

Thinning, clumps, over time, right away?? I'm going to be taking folic

vitamins with it, but am a little anxious what to expect. I hear the

injections offer less side effects, but for insurance reasons, they're

not an option right now. Also, if anyone can suggest some easy reading

books on RA that I might give to my boyfriend. He's been very

supportive, but I can see from the look in his eyes, that he can't

understand it. I don't blame him, very few who don't have it or have

someone close who has can understand. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Guest guest]

With 10 mgs the only side effect I experienced was bad fatigue for about 2 days

after taking it. I was on that dosage for about a year and then it became less

effective and we increased it. At 15 and then 20 mgs the fatique was terrible

and my hair started falling out by the handfuls. At that point I decided to cut

the dosage back and started enbrel with real good success. I have now reduced

mtx to 5 mgs. I sstill have some fatigue but have never had n/v or mouth sores.

I was taking a large dose of folic acid depending on the amt of mtx. I hope and

pray that it works well for you with few side effects.

peggy sue <peggylm20@...> wrote: Dear ,

I too am taking MTX (15mg) per week. I have not experienced any thing more

than upset stomach and fatigue. I take tums when the upset stomach is bad, but

so far I have not experienced any major side effects. Hair loss and the mouth

sores were my biggest fears, but (knock on wood) I have not had any. I've been

on MTX since Oct. still have some problems with stiffness and fatigue but can

still work. Best of luck to you and feel better. Peggy

cathydwan <Kabitza@...> wrote:

Hi to all,

I am due to start taking methotrexate this wknd. (10mg.pills) and was

wondering about the side effects. For those who have suffered through

them, how quickly did you start to feel them? Right away or after a

few weeks? Also, anyone who suffered hair loss. How did it happen?

Thinning, clumps, over time, right away?? I'm going to be taking folic

vitamins with it, but am a little anxious what to expect. I hear the

injections offer less side effects, but for insurance reasons, they're

not an option right now. Also, if anyone can suggest some easy reading

books on RA that I might give to my boyfriend. He's been very

supportive, but I can see from the look in his eyes, that he can't

understand it. I don't blame him, very few who don't have it or have

someone close who has can understand. Thanks in advance for any help.

[Guest guest]

thanks, gina. so far i actually haven't been having any noticeable

side effects except maybe a slight case of the tireds about the

middle of the week but in all honesty, i usually sorta fade mid week

anyhow then pick up again by thursday or friday . . . . .

bonnie/boys

> >>

> >> ,

> >>

> >> The mtx injections have less side effects, so you might give

that a

> >> try. Make sure you take Folic acid too. I hope you feel better

> >> soon. It would be good to see a rheumy, I know how hard those

long

> >> trips are. When I first started seeing a rheumy, it took about

> > that

> >> long. I only had to go every three months, so that wasn't too

> > bad.

> >> I will keep you in my prayers, Tawny

>

[Guest guest]

thanks for telling us ! ! ! it helps to hear this . . . .

bon/boys

>

>

> I have been taking 15mg methotrexate weekly since 2002 and have

never had

> any side effects.

>

> Kathy

>

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 4/21/2006 3:07:48 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,

> writes:

>

>

> Message 9

> From: " GYPSYNLOVE@... " GYPSYNLOVE@...

> Date: Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:24pm(PDT)

> Subject: methotrexate

>

>

> Hello! I have lupus and my doctor has recommended that I take a 6

month

> course of methotrexate (low dose, once a week regiment) along

with

> Plaquenil. I

> know that vanity should be the least of my problems, but the

minute he told

> me that the methotrexate was chemo, I freaked. Has anyone taken

it and

> experienced hair loss?? I just don't want to lose m

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, Bonnie & Kathy

2002 with methotrexate, it a good sign, thank you both.

Sharon

bonniebaron <bonniebaron@...> wrote:

thanks for telling us ! ! ! it helps to hear this . . . .

bon/boys

>

>

> I have been taking 15mg methotrexate weekly since 2002 and have

never had

> any side effects.

>

> Kathy

>

>

>

>

>

> In a message dated 4/21/2006 3:07:48 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,

> writes:

>

>

> Message 9

> From: " GYPSYNLOVE@... " GYPSYNLOVE@...

> Date: Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:24pm(PDT)

> Subject: methotrexate

>

>

> Hello! I have lupus and my doctor has recommended that I take a 6

month

> course of methotrexate (low dose, once a week regiment) along

with

> Plaquenil. I

> know that vanity should be the least of my problems, but the

minute he told

> me that the methotrexate was chemo, I freaked. Has anyone taken

it and

> experienced hair loss?? I just don't want to lose m

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Greeni:

I have been on Mtx now for about 4 years, in

combination with Enbrel for almost a year now. When I

was on the Mtx alone it took around 2 months before I

felt any improvement.

You should call your doctor and see if there might be

something that could be added to the Mtx - lots of

time combos work better than single meds.

Take care -

Kathe in CA

--- greenigirl34691 <greenigirl34691@...> wrote:

> Can anyone in the group tell me who are in

> methotrexate how it took

> for them to see any results? I am on a month now as

> of today and I

> have seen no difference in my pain or degree.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I am on MTX and it took several monthes to see any results. It varies

for everyone, but I had such nausea and diarrhea that it was difficult

to tell. Cassy

>

> Can anyone in the group tell me who are in methotrexate how it took

> for them to see any results? I am on a month now as of today and I

> have seen no difference in my pain or degree.

>

[Guest guest]

Mtx by itself didn't do much for me either. But I still take it

because most of the biologics seem to work better in combination with

Mtx, and I'll take any help I can get.<g>

I think a lot of insurance companies want to see that you've tried Mtx

(or one of the other less expensive DMARDS) before ging to the

frightfully expensive biologics.

>

> Can anyone in the group tell me who are in methotrexate how it took

> for them to see any results? I am on a month now as of today and I

> have seen no difference in my pain or degree.

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Can anyone in the group tell me who are in methotrexate how it took

> for them to see any results? I am on a month now as of today and I

> have seen no difference in my pain or degree.

>

I started to notice a tiny difference with MTX within the first couple

of weeks. (Maybe that was just wishful thinking though.)

My doc started me on 4 tablets (10mg) and after a couple of months

bumped it up to 6 tables (15mg). I think the bump up really helped

alot. I'm very lucky in that I don't seem to experience any of the

side effects common with MTX. My doctor does has me take 10mg of

Leucovorin (folinic acid) weekly as well.

I feel like I'm doing pretty well on the MTX, but my doc has talked me

into adding Enbrel as I still have some swelling that is causing

damage. I'll be starting Enbrel within the next couple of weeks.

dordale

[Guest guest]

I would call the doctor on Monday and report how you're feeling.

Sierra

>

> Dear All

> Last week they increase my Mthx up to 20mg. I feel awful.

> Short of breath, lethargic and exhausted doing nothing.

> Has this happened to anyone else? Did it pass eventually?

> BTW you have all given me such a lift - it's nice to feel that you

are

> not alone! Thank you & wishing you pain-free days.

> Deb in Australia

>