Re: ??Methotrxate and Plaquinil

[Guest guest]

Hi Jay,

The first Med I took was Etodolac/Plaquinil combo, it did nothing for me, and then I was put on the Methotrexate/Folic Acid/Etodolac combo, it has worked for me. I did not or have not had any side effects from any of them. I take 3 ea. 2.5mg Methotrexate once a week. 1 ea. Folic acid tab a day. Have just dropped from 3 ea to 2 ea 300mg. Etodolac a day, I have decreased this as the Methotrexate has started working. I also take lots of vitamins. do some strength training and stretching.

Keeping active helps me stay flexible, I was never really depressed, but was scared about what was happening to me, especially before I was diagnosed. It took quite a spell for the methotrexate to work, at first all they gave me was Etodolac to help with the swelling and pain. I did try the over the counter -Motrin and Advil, but they did not do anything for me.

I was really afraid of the Methotrexate after reading about it, and all the side effects, but my RA Doc, told me that they have to list all the side effects, but that on the dose I was going to be taking it was unlikely that I would experience any. I have not.

I have noticed that I sometimes get little rough patches on my face, not bad, but noticable to me. A little cortisone creme takes care of it.

I took the Glycosime/Condroitin for about 2 years, but for me there was no difference, I took a break after the first year for awhile and noted no difference, so finally I just quit, it is expensive. Others have said that it helps them. We are all different, just give it a try, it could help you.

Good Luck, I am sure they will find the right combo for you, just try to keep a good outlook on life. I have only just started on this group, but it seems to be very helpful and informative. I also subscribe to the Arthritis Insight Newsletter.

Ok, my brain is blank now, so I will shut up.

Regards,

Becky Pacey

My Dr. is going to start me on Methotrexate and Plaquinil next week. From my research on theinternet it appears to the the gold standard for RA. What side effects are most common? Is there anything in particular I should be aware of?Also, I have been taking OTC Condroitin and Glycosime. Does any one else take this and does it help or am I wasting my $$$?Thanks for the input Deb.God Bless You AllJay

[Guest guest]

Hi, Jay. Don't worry about posting too often. We all have to learn and this is a good place to start.

All medications come with a long list of possible side effects most of which you will not get. I think these lists are written by lawyers who want to avoid law suits when some unexpected side effect shows up. However, some side effects are more common. I'm on Methotrexate and I watch my blood work for liver enzymes and I also watch out for possible lung involvement. Also Methotrexate increases sun sensitivity so using a sun block is very important. Some people get diarrhea or nausea or mouth sores, but these are usually corrected by using injectible Methotrexate instead of the pills. There are other possible side effects that should be on the sheet given to you by the pharmacist when you first get a prescription filled.

I haven't been on Plaquenil but I have heard that the most serious possible side effect is some type of eye damage and people should have regular eye exams. This is from hearsay so make sure you check it out.

I did take Glucosamine with Chondroitin for a while without any benefits so I quit. My RD said it was good for Osteoarthritis but not for Rheumatoid arthritis. My guess is that you are wasting your money unless you also have Osteoarthritis.

Remember, it usually takes several weeks to several months for the drugs to become effective so don't give up on them too quickly. Good luck and God bless.

----- Original Message -----

From: Jay Bishop

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, May 10, 2003 11:30 PM

Subject: ??Methotrxate and Plaquinil

Hi gang,It's the pain in the b--t newbie again!!! Thank God I'm not as depressed tonight as usual. I do have more questions though.My Dr. is going to start me on Methotrexate and Plaquinil next week. From my research on theinternet it appears to the the gold standard for RA. What side effects are most common? Is there anything in particular I should be aware of?Also, I have been taking OTC Condroitin and Glycosime. Does any one else take this and does it help or am I wasting my $$$?Thanks for the input Deb.God Bless You AllJay

[Guest guest]

Hi Jay!

I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at until my

doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have some

rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.

[Guest guest]

I've been on Plaquenil for 3 weeks. I was recently diagnosed with

RA. I just started having a red, itchy rash all over my body, all

except my face. They're red dots and patches some under the skin,

some slightly raised.

Would you say that this is pretty much a reaction to the Plaquenil?

Mike

> Hi Jay!

>

> I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at until

my

> doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have some

> rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.

[Guest guest]

Mike ,

it is and u need to call ur Dr right away.

Love Lucy

I've been on Plaquenil for 3 weeks. I was recently diagnosed with

RA. I just started having a red, itchy rash all over my body, all

except my face. They're red dots and patches some under the skin,

some slightly raised.

Would you say that this is pretty much a reaction to the Plaquenil?

Mike

[Guest guest]

Sounds like it. Mine itched/hurt something awful. I used a steroid creme and it went away in about a week.

----- Original Message ----- From: magic886

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, May 20, 2003 4:38 PM

Subject: Re: ??Methotrxate and Plaquinil

I've been on Plaquenil for 3 weeks. I was recently diagnosed with RA. I just started having a red, itchy rash all over my body, all except my face. They're red dots and patches some under the skin, some slightly raised. Would you say that this is pretty much a reaction to the Plaquenil?Mike> Hi Jay!> > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at until my > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have some > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lucy and ,

I talked to the doctor and he put me on the 6 day steroid pack.

The rash is slowly fading away.

Mike

> > Hi Jay!

> >

> > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at

until

> my

> > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have

some

> > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If you're prone to side-effects, there are lots more to come. I ran the whole gamut of them, but it was worth it to stick it out.

----- Original Message ----- From: magic886

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 6:59 PM

Subject: Re: ??Methotrxate and Plaquinil

Thanks Lucy and , I talked to the doctor and he put me on the 6 day steroid pack. The rash is slowly fading away.Mike> > Hi Jay!> > > > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at until > my > > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have some > > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.> > > >

[Guest guest]

Mike, I am an Emergency Medical Technician. If you were a patient of

mine I would have you in an Emergency Room as fast as my ambulance

could get you there.

There can be severe and fatal consequences with allergic reactions.

You could go into Anaphylactic shock your throat could swell shut and

you could suffocate!!! Call your Dr. immediately, and for God's sake

don't take anymore of it until you do.

Jay

> > Hi Jay!

> >

> > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at

until

> my

> > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have

some

> > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I didn't mean that he shouldn't see his doctor. Calling my rheumatologist was the first thing I did. I was merely sharing my experience with it.

----- Original Message ----- From: Jay Bishop

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Friday, May 23, 2003 1:45 AM

Subject: Re: ??Methotrxate and Plaquinil

Mike, I am an Emergency Medical Technician. If you were a patient of mine I would have you in an Emergency Room as fast as my ambulance could get you there.There can be severe and fatal consequences with allergic reactions. You could go into Anaphylactic shock your throat could swell shut and you could suffocate!!! Call your Dr. immediately, and for God's sake don't take anymore of it until you do.Jay> > Hi Jay!> > > > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at until > my > > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have some > > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.> > > >

[Guest guest]

, No criticism intended, my appologies. Just my humble opinion

about situations I've helped with involving allergic reactions.

Jay

> > > Hi Jay!

> > >

> > > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at

> until

> > my

> > > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have

> some

> > > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Jay, I guess I should have worded it differently. I just assume that people will call their doctors right away, and view anything on list as someone asking for others' experiences out of curiosity.

----- Original Message ----- From: Jay Bishop

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, May 24, 2003 1:15 AM

Subject: Re: ??Methotrxate and Plaquinil

, No criticism intended, my appologies. Just my humble opinion about situations I've helped with involving allergic reactions.Jay> > > Hi Jay!> > > > > > I've been on Plaquenil for 2 years. It wasn't helping me at > until > > my > > > doctor added Methotrexate. I felt better in 2 weeks. I have > some > > > rough days but overall, I feel pretty good.> > > > > > > >