Re: Good (sunny) afternoon!

[Guest guest]

Hi Missie,

I started taking Mtx in January. Started with 3 pills once a week.

My rhumy is having me take 5 pills once a week now. When I first

started taking them (on Friday night) I would have a bad headache

most of Saturday. If I drink a lot of water Friday, another full

glass with my pills on Friday night then another full glass in the

middle of the night (when I get up to go to the bathroom..lol)and

another first thing in the morning I do not get a headache. I even

have a glass of water by my bedside in case I wake up at other times

in the night! I always eat something with my pills and have not been

sick to my stomach. I am kind of tired all day Saturday and really

tired on Sunday. Monday's, I'm a little tired. I am usually tired

anyway all the time even before starting the Mtx. I was told people

with RA are usually tired most of the time. I also take Vioxx for

inflamation. The rhumy said it can take up to 6 months for the Mtx

to take affect. I think you should go see a rhumy, I am surprised

your PA hasn't recommended one. Taking only one 2.5 of Mtx is kind

of low, I think. Be aware if you have one auto immune disease you

might get another. Currently I also have Hashimoto's Thyroid.

Remember how one person reacts to this disease and its medication may

not be true for another.

Hang in there, Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Missie, 2.5 mg of Methotrexate is a very low dose that is just used to see if there are any severe side effects (unusual, but unpleasant). Often it takes 15 to 25 mg of Methotrexate a week to have any effect, usually all taken within a 24 hour period. If you tolerate the 2.5 well your dosage should be increased promptly. I have had no trouble with up to 20 mg Methotrexate and am now on 15 mg per week, all taken at once. Others I have heard about have various problems like mouth sores, upset stomach, fatigue, spaciness but most of them feel that the effects of Methotrexate are better than uncontrolled rheumatoid arthritis. Some use injections of Methotrexate to avoid most of the side effects.

You should be concerned that you are not seeing a Rheumatologist. Any doctor can prescribe any of the medications used for Rheumatoid Arthritis but a Rheumatologist has more experience with the medicines, doses to use, and side effects. I think the surgeon who you consulted for weight loss surgery gave you good advice. I also think you should be eating a Mediterranean diet (lots of fruit an vegetables, very little or no red meat, olive or canola oils for cooking, etc. I'm not a dietician so get some real advice on what this should be.) Tell the PA that you want a second opinion from a specialist, a Rheumatologist.

Good luck and God bless.

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

From: Matt and Missie Bird

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 2:32 PM

Subject: Good (sunny) afternoon!

Hello again all. Got back from my trip to England (which I survived by taking my Medrol dose pack for the RA) and am getting back into the swing of things. Had a Dr. appointment today and she took me off the Celebrex and put me on Methotrexate, 2.5 once a week. I sure hope this helps, because the Celebrex did not really touch the pain/inflamation. My question (sorry that I keep asking questions) is have most people gotten this "day after" sickness she told me about? The flu-like symptoms with stomach problems? She told me to wait til Saturday to take it so that Sunday I can be home when/if the bad part hits. Should I be concerned that my PA is not sending me to a Rheumy? I just went for a weight loss surgery consult and the surgeon told me to not mess around and demand to see a Rheumatologist. I don't know what to say to the PA.

thanks and have a GREAT day!

Missie

[Guest guest]

hi Missie

I was wondering were u had been in the uk. I come from the uk..

I was told that the flu like sypmtoms we get are when u r in a flare up.

I definately think you should see a rheumatologist

love joyce

xxxxxxx