methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Hey gang, it's no post Sue posting again. I think this is a first

for this group. To post twice in one month. Anyway, I see some of

you are on methotrexate. I have been on this stuff for two years and

I just wanted to put in my two cents worth. I was on the oral for

over 7 months then the side effects got to be too bad. So my Rheumy

switched me to injectable. It makes a big difference. I still have

a few side effects, but they are so reduced as to be minimal. I

highly recommend the injectable if you can arrange it. When I was on

the oral, after a couple of months, I had no life due to the side

effects. You will notice increased fatigue after you take it. With

me, even on the injectable, I have to figure 24-48 hours of down time

after my shot. I just plan on being home and taking naps to get

through it. I lost my appetite two years ago and never got it back.

And since I need to loose weight anyway, I don't make a big deal out

of that. I use to take my oral at nite to sleep through the worse of

the effects. You might want to ask your dr about taking a folic

suppliment. I also know that it will take a couple of months for the

benefits to be noticed. Make sure you get a liver function and CBC

done every month. I had an anemia problem that was corrected with

iron pills. Keep a journal on how you are feeling before, during and

after you take your dosage. Write down every side effect, even if

you think it may be unrelated. Some people have strange side effects

and allergic reactions, so write everything down. Be honest with

yourself and your dr. Don't be brave and stoic, thinking you can

just ride through it. Some effects can be reduced if not eliminated

and some effects can be a sign of something more serious. So don't

be afraid to tell all. And if your dr down plays something that you

think is serious, then get a second opinion. This is your health and

no one will fight for it more then you. You need to be your own best

advacate. I hope this hasn't rambled too much and is of some help.

Sue

[Guest guest]

"No post" Sue, I think you should post more often because I think you have good information that is easy to read. Everyone is different and I have no side effects from Methotrexate (and few beneficial effects). I'm pretty well controlled with Remicade and Methotrexate; I take the Methotrexate because that is how Remicade is approved to be taken. I would like to add that I have heard that Leucovorin is a stronger version of Folic Acid and if you still have problems after Sue's advice you might ask your doctor about Leucovorin. God bless.

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

From: Suenicorn

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Sunday, May 25, 2003 1:58 PM

Subject: methotrexate

Hey gang, it's no post Sue posting again. I think this is a first for this group. To post twice in one month. Anyway, I see some of you are on methotrexate. I have been on this stuff for two years and I just wanted to put in my two cents worth. I was on the oral for over 7 months then the side effects got to be too bad. So my Rheumy switched me to injectable. It makes a big difference. I still have a few side effects, but they are so reduced as to be minimal. I highly recommend the injectable if you can arrange it. When I was on the oral, after a couple of months, I had no life due to the side effects. You will notice increased fatigue after you take it. With me, even on the injectable, I have to figure 24-48 hours of down time after my shot. I just plan on being home and taking naps to get through it. I lost my appetite two years ago and never got it back. And since I need to loose weight anyway, I don't make a big deal out of that. I use to take my oral at nite to sleep through the worse of the effects. You might want to ask your dr about taking a folic suppliment. I also know that it will take a couple of months for the benefits to be noticed. Make sure you get a liver function and CBC done every month. I had an anemia problem that was corrected with iron pills. Keep a journal on how you are feeling before, during and after you take your dosage. Write down every side effect, even if you think it may be unrelated. Some people have strange side effects and allergic reactions, so write everything down. Be honest with yourself and your dr. Don't be brave and stoic, thinking you can just ride through it. Some effects can be reduced if not eliminated and some effects can be a sign of something more serious. So don't be afraid to tell all. And if your dr down plays something that you think is serious, then get a second opinion. This is your health and no one will fight for it more then you. You need to be your own best advacate. I hope this hasn't rambled too much and is of some help.Sue

[Guest guest]

" no post Sue " Please do post more often. Your experiences and

suggestions do not fall on deaf ears. I, for one, greatly appreciate

your posts.

God Bless

Jay

> Hey gang, it's no post Sue posting again. I think this is a first

> for this group. To post twice in one month. Anyway, I see some of

> you are on methotrexate. I have been on this stuff for two years

and

> I just wanted to put in my two cents worth. I was on the oral for

> over 7 months then the side effects got to be too bad. So my

Rheumy

> switched me to injectable. It makes a big difference. I still

have

> a few side effects, but they are so reduced as to be minimal. I

> highly recommend the injectable if you can arrange it. When I was

on

> the oral, after a couple of months, I had no life due to the side

> effects. You will notice increased fatigue after you take it.

With

> me, even on the injectable, I have to figure 24-48 hours of down

time

> after my shot. I just plan on being home and taking naps to get

> through it. I lost my appetite two years ago and never got it

back.

> And since I need to loose weight anyway, I don't make a big deal

out

> of that. I use to take my oral at nite to sleep through the worse

of

> the effects. You might want to ask your dr about taking a folic

> suppliment. I also know that it will take a couple of months for

the

> benefits to be noticed. Make sure you get a liver function and CBC

> done every month. I had an anemia problem that was corrected with

> iron pills. Keep a journal on how you are feeling before, during

and

> after you take your dosage. Write down every side effect, even if

> you think it may be unrelated. Some people have strange side

effects

> and allergic reactions, so write everything down. Be honest with

> yourself and your dr. Don't be brave and stoic, thinking you can

> just ride through it. Some effects can be reduced if not

eliminated

> and some effects can be a sign of something more serious. So don't

> be afraid to tell all. And if your dr down plays something that

you

> think is serious, then get a second opinion. This is your health

and

> no one will fight for it more then you. You need to be your own

best

> advacate. I hope this hasn't rambled too much and is of some help.

>

> Sue