Question about MTX

[Guest guest]

Hello all

I am so excited I finally go to the DR. on Monday. And will begin taking some sort of DMARDS. I have researched allot of them so I can be more informed and also as I have no insurance to make sure I can afford what we agree on. I just have one question maybe someone can help me with. I was wondering if the Methotrexate Sodium is self injected or will I need to go in to the DR. office to have it injected? Also how often is it administered? I guess that's it for now. Any replies will be greatly appreciated. Oh yea has anyone heard from Lyn lately. I hope she's ok. Well I am going to run for now. Thank you in advance for any help.

DeWanda

Please continue to support our troops.

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I've noticed a lot of questions about Methotrexate recently - I've

been on it for almost 5 years, since shortly after my RA diagnosis.

I've also had various other meds as well - always an anti-

inflammatory (currently Vioxx) and often one of the biologic agents

(currently Kineret). I'm also on Folic Acid, which helps to off-set

some of the side effects.

I started on MTX at 5 mg per week (for RA the dose is taken once a

week) and built up - I've been stuck at 20 mg for quite awhile, which

is the most my doc wants me to be on since I'm also on other things.

I started off with pills, and had few side effects until I reached 15

mg /week. Then I really noticed the fatigue the day after I took it,

and also nausea. I get occasional mouth sores, but not as severely

as some. I eventually changed to injectable, which has really helped

with the nausea, although at times it does still hit. It can be self-

injected, and your RD's office can teach you how to do that if you

don't already know - I learned it taking Enbrel. It is easy and

painless (except for when the needle goes in). I usually do it in

the abdomen (I do the Kineret in my thighs) and at times give myself

a bruise when I inject!

The nausea can hit anything in the 24 - 36 hours following the dose -

I take mine on Saturday nights, and have had nausea hit me on Monday

morning at work. Usually a couple of Tums will control it, but I

have had times when I've had to run to the restroom - fortunately not

too often.

Sorry for such a long message, but hope this helps some of you who

are newer to this.

Oh - regarding alcohol and MTX - some docs are really strict that you

never drink any, while others are more relaxed about it. You'll need

to have regular lab work while on the drug, and if your liver isn't

having any problems after you've been on it for awhile, your doc may

allow you to have an occasional drink.

Good luck to all!

Beth

> Hello all

>

> I am so excited I finally go to the DR. on Monday. And will begin

taking some sort of DMARDS. I have researched allot of them so I can

be more informed and also as I have no insurance to make sure I can

afford what we agree on. I just have one question maybe someone can

help me with. I was wondering if the Methotrexate Sodium is self

injected or will I need to go in to the DR. office to have it

injected? Also how often is it administered? I guess that's it for

now. Any replies will be greatly appreciated. Oh yea has anyone heard

from Lyn lately. I hope she's ok. Well I am going to run for now.

Thank you in advance for any help.

>

> DeWanda

>

> Please continue to support our troops.

[Guest guest]

I found this on a UK website about tests you need if you are on

MTX: " FBC, LFT, U & E and creatinine every week after initial dosage,

then every four to eight weeks. Repeat of these seven days AFTER dose

escalation - then back to every four to eight weeks as above.

As the liver is at greatest risk from MTX treatment, a good doctor

will also perform an 'assay of amino propeptide of type III

procollagen' or a PIIINP test every three to six months. This blood

test shows up tiny negative changes to the liver in a way the LFT

cannot and can, in some cases, show up the need for a liver biopsy.

Some doctors believe this test can actually stop the need for a

routine liver biopsy after a cumulative dose of 1.5gms, though others

like you to have one anyway and at 1.5gm intervals after.

Obviously, as MTX affects the liver, alcohol is best avoided,

particularly around the days you take it. However, the odd glass of

wine or beer is acceptable as long as it is just that!

If all this monitoring is performed correctly, any negative affects

of the drug are reversible if caught and dealt with at an early

stage. "

So it does indicate you can drink moderately.

Does anyone have that PIIINP test regularly? I never heard of that

one.

Annette

>

> >Okay - I'm coming clean.

> >

> >I have been on Methotrexate for probably over a year now and I

still have

> >wine and the occasional other kind of drink pretty regularly. I do

monthly

> >bloodwork and so far I have not had any liver problems - all of my

levels

> >are fine. Just recently I have decided to go on the diet that Zeke

> >mentioned and because I am getting frustrated with not getting

better

> >despite everything I'm on. So I'm going cold turkey on sugar,

alcohol and

> >processed foods (can't give up coffee quite yet). Maybe that will

make a

> >difference.

> >

> >gloria

>

[Guest guest]

I took Prednisone only during flairs and it didn't seem to help much. I have a new dr now so I will see what she has to say. I take Darvacet for the pain.

Vicki

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

From: Deborah Bargad

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2006 1:54 AM

Subject: Re: question about MTX

Vicky- If humira isnt working, try remicade. Its once every 8 weeks. Some people see help right away, others it does take time. You can take a low dose mtx with it. MTX will make you tired. Whenever there is a body part in a flare, immobilize the area and use ice if there is swelling or a heating pad if stiff. Use an ace bandage and stay off the foot. There are also new b cell drugs available along with others coming all the time. I found taking folate or a multi vitamin helps. I have been on 8 pills max at the highest point but am down to only 2 pills once a week. Has your Doctor suggested low dose prednisone.

On 7/11/06, Vicki <hoyt91@...> wrote:

What is the highest dosage of MTX has anyone been on. I am up to 8 pills a weeks which is 20 mgs. I take this for two more weks, then if the swelling on my ankle and my pain has not gone done, I am to increase to 10 pills a week. I am already wiped out and having a hard time functioning because of the fatigue and the stiffness.

I didn't think my stiffness was so bad until my hubby did an immitation of me getting out of bed and going to the bathroom, then crashing on the couch.

I literally have to force myself to get up or I would spend as much time in bed as i could. I do as much housework as I can in the morning and end up falling asleep in the afternoon

Is the MTX exacerbating my fatigue, making it worse. I feel like I can't go on like this anymore.

My hands hurt, my elbows hurt. Now my shoulders are starting to hurt, my knees hurt and my feet hurt ALL the time. I was hoping that the Humira would help but it isn't. I couldn't go to my cousins daughters wedding on Saturday because my body was one big pain. I slept until my hubby and kids came home.

My dr is supposed to call tomorrow(Tuesday) about changing drugs and doing an MRI on my foot.

I am hoping to try the IV infused drugs. Maybe they will work better.

Thanks for listening. Not many people understand what it's really like to have RA. If they don't see that something is wrong, then they think it isn't as bad as we make it sound.

My hubby is finally helping out more around the house. He does the laundry because I have a hard time going up and down the stairs.

Thanks for reading,

Vicki

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