MTX

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was on MTX for 12 plus years, was off about 3 years, and recently went back

on it. Since MTX is a chemo drug, you may feel some of what you are feeling.

Being nauseous and vomiting can happen. I don't remember burping or having a

gassy tummy, but I did feel like I had the flu a couple days after having my

dose. So far, this time around, I haven't had anything weird happen. Are you

taking injections or pills? And how much? I hear that injections are better

and give less side effects. If I have any horrible ones, which I doubt, I

might try the injections.

[Guest guest]

,

I use Tums or any OTC antacid (sp). I also take folic acid, that is a rx,

you can also buy it OTC. It helps with the tummy problems and I get (last

time I was on it anyway) bad mouth ulcers, and it also helps with those. I

also take my mtx in the evening, that way I sleep through most of the side

effects. Tery

[Guest guest]

> ,

> I use Tums or any OTC antacid (sp). I also take folic acid, that is a rx,

> you can also buy it OTC. It helps with the tummy problems and I get (last

> time I was on it anyway) bad mouth ulcers, and it also helps with those.

I

> also take my mtx in the evening, that way I sleep through most of the side

> effects. Tery

Ahh, yes. Now I do remember. I did have heartburn lots, still do at times

while I was off the MTX, but I always take an antacid. I also got horrible

mouth sores. So bad that I couldn't eat. I found that eating tums or another

antacid helped them to go away faster. As soon as I felt a sore coming on.. I

popped about 5. I say 5 bcs my doc was having me take it for the calcium as

well. When I did this, it usually slowed down the sores and they didn't get

as bad as they would have.

Thanks for sparking my memory Tery!

[Guest guest]

I didn't realize that the med I am now on is called MTX. I have seen it

mentioned in the posts that way, but didn't realize it was a short way of

referring to methotrexate. I have a question for anyone who has been on MTX - I

am having problems with a gassy stomach, burping, and I did vomit a little

tonight. I have called my doctors office, but they won't get back to me until

tomorrow. I am wondering what some of the rest of you have used if you have had

this problem.

Any ideas would be appreciated - I will be cautious because of all the different

meds I'm on (for depression, allergies, asthma & RA) Thanks

P

[Guest guest]

I am taking the MTX in liquid form. I fill a syringe with .3 cc's of the MTX

and put it in water and drink it. I am also taking a perscription folic acid.

They told me to report any side effects I was having right away. I'm hoping I

can take Acidadolphus (this has helped me in the pass with a gassy stomach), but

the doctor has told me not to add anything without checking with him, which I

can understand - he's done a wonderful job with me, he is very thorough) When I

called the doctors office, I let them know about the acidadolphus. Thanks for

the input each of you have sent. It really helps to know that there are other

people who have been through some of this and can relay their experiences.

P

[Guest guest]

Hi , I am new to the group but not new to MTX. I have been

taking this for about 7 months now. The problems you have are very

similar to the provlems I had when I first started this drug. I have

had to try and find things to help with the bloating and nausea and

even the vomiting. I started taking folic acid and doubled my dose of

it 2 days before my dosing of MTX ( I take the pill form ) this has

almost removed the majority of my nausea and I havn't had the

vomiting like I did before. I buy my folic acid over the counter, its

much cheaper this way. Good luck, I hope you find relief soon. Candy

>

>

[Guest guest]

I just got a call from the doctors office. He wants me to stay off the MTX. He

told me to stay off the MTX and take some Pepcid AC for the stomach upset.

Once my stomach settles down, he wants me to call the office and we will decide

what we will do next.

P

[Guest guest]

,

When I was on the oral mtx, I had very bad stomach cramps and diarrhea.

Many people that can't take the oral mtx have good luck with the injections.

It is more effective for some people and doesn't have the gastro side

effects

except in rare cases.

Ginger has helped many stomach problems. One list member gets the regular

ginger from the grocery store and puts it in capsules. It is also great for

motion

sickness. You can buy ginger capsules pre made. Some people swear by

ginger ale, but I don't think there is as much ginger in it. Since all of

our systems

are different, we have to try and see what works best.

I hope you feel better soon.

a

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

From: " Price " <linda@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Thursday, April 27, 2000 7:35 PM

Subject: [ ] re: MTX

> I didn't realize that the med I am now on is called MTX. I have seen it

mentioned in the posts that way, but didn't realize it was a short way of

referring to methotrexate. I have a question for anyone who has been on

MTX - I am having problems with a gassy stomach, burping, and I did vomit a

little tonight. I have called my doctors office, but they won't get back to

me until tomorrow. I am wondering what some of the rest of you have used if

you have had this problem.

> Any ideas would be appreciated - I will be cautious because of all the

different meds I'm on (for depression, allergies, asthma & RA) Thanks

>

> P

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

I hope your stomach settles down soon. What do you think the next step will

be? You really should arm yourself with LOTS of information before you go

back to the doctor.

Judy

At 03:04 PM 4/28/2000 -0500, you wrote:

>I just got a call from the doctors office. He wants me to stay off the

MTX. He told me to stay off the MTX and take some Pepcid AC for the

stomach upset. Once my stomach settles down, he wants me to call the

office and we will decide what we will do next.

>

> P

>

[Guest guest]

Judy-

I really don't know what the next step will be. I know that when we

discussed the medications, he said that there was a choice between the MTX

and another med. He felt that for me, the mtx would be the better choice.

I am assuming that he might try the injections. the only question I have is

if the mtx is causing some of the problems I am having with the coughing. I

want to do some more checking since I have problems with asthma, especially

this time of the year. If this can cause lung problems, then I'm not sure

that this is the right one for me. I am going to have to do a lot of

research over the next few days to find out what the options are out there,

what the side effects are, and the benefits. I sure am not happy the way

this thing turned out.

P

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

From: Judy <rrjsen@...>

< egroups>

Sent: Friday, April 28, 2000 5:10 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] re: MTX

> ,

>

> I hope your stomach settles down soon. What do you think the next step

will

> be? You really should arm yourself with LOTS of information before you go

> back to the doctor.

>

> Judy

>

[Guest guest]

I take 5mg of folic acid a day plus Leukovorin CA on the same day as my MTX dose to try to counteract the toxic side effects of MTX. So far nothing does any good.

I have had my dose changed many times and its the same thing. So my doc says as long as labs and liver panel looks good I stay at current dose of 17.5mg MTX a week which equals 7 pills.

I also take multi-vit and a bunch of other supplements to try to help out. I am at the end of my rope and ready to dump this med. I have talked to many others locally on MTX and most have the same set of complainents and we all have different docs.

Toni

In a message dated 6/8/04 4:34:22 PM Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes:

You've taken folic acid with the MTX and still had the sores?

Sierra

[Guest guest]

I've been drinking a lot more water because of the dry eye and it

seems to help a little with the effects. Haw hard is it to do your

own injection? I don't but it sounds like many of you do.

Annette

> I take 5mg of folic acid a day plus Leukovorin CA on the same day

as my MTX

> dose to try to counteract the toxic side effects of MTX. So far

nothing does

> any good.

> I have had my dose changed many times and its the same thing. So

my doc says

> as long as labs and liver panel looks good I stay at current dose

of 17.5mg

> MTX a week which equals 7 pills.

>

> I also take multi-vit and a bunch of other supplements to try to

help out. I

> am at the end of my rope and ready to dump this med. I have talked

to many

> others locally on MTX and most have the same set of complainents

and we all

> have different docs.

>

> Toni

>

> In a message dated 6/8/04 4:34:22 PM Central Daylight Time,

> Rheumatoid Arthritis writes:

>

> >

> > You've taken folic acid with the MTX and still had the sores?

> >

> > Sierra

> >

[Guest guest]

Annette,

I started doing my own injections with Enbrel around 4 years ago,

then changed to injectable MTX. It was much easier than I expected -

it just takes a little getting used to the idea. I did my Enbrel

(and now Kineret) in my legs, and would do the MTX in my stomach

(you aren't supposed to do the injection where the skin is hardened

or scarred - I have too many stretch marks from my pregnancy to

inject in the stomach often).

For me the side effects of the injectable MTX were much lower - less

nausea and brain fog although I still had some. Your docs office

will teach you how to do the injections.

Beth

> > I take 5mg of folic acid a day plus Leukovorin CA on the same

day

> as my MTX

> > dose to try to counteract the toxic side effects of MTX. So far

> nothing does

> > any good.

> > I have had my dose changed many times and its the same thing.

So

> my doc says

> > as long as labs and liver panel looks good I stay at current

dose

> of 17.5mg

> > MTX a week which equals 7 pills.

> >

> > I also take multi-vit and a bunch of other supplements to try to

> help out. I

> > am at the end of my rope and ready to dump this med. I have

talked

> to many

> > others locally on MTX and most have the same set of

complainents

> and we all

> > have different docs.

> >

> > Toni

> >

> > In a message dated 6/8/04 4:34:22 PM Central Daylight Time,

> > Rheumatoid Arthritis writes:

> >

> > >

> > > You've taken folic acid with the MTX and still had the sores?

> > >

> > > Sierra

> > >

[Guest guest]

Annette,

It is very easy. Like an insulin shot. Once you learn how to do it its a breeze. I take Enbrel shots twice a week plus the MTX once a week.

I go to see my rheummy this week. I want to talk about stopping MTX and just taking enbrel alone. I am sick of the side effects of MTX plus since I had weight loss surgery I have no desire to be nauseated, vomiting or have diarrhea. That is not a good picture when you have just had Lapband surgery to loose weight.

Toni

In a message dated 6/14/2004 3:39:54 PM Central Daylight Time, Rheumatoid Arthritis writes:

Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 21:41:39 -0000 From: "annette2ca" <a.mckinnon@...>Subject: Re: MTXI've been drinking a lot more water because of the dry eye and it seems to help a little with the effects. Haw hard is it to do your own injection? I don't but it sounds like many of you do.Annette

[Guest guest]

I believe that you are correct about mixing mtx and aspirin.cat_lady20042003 <cat_lady20042003@...> wrote: It's been a while since I've been on but for the most part I'm ok. I do have a couple of questions. I'm on naproxin, plaquenil, methotrexate and folic acid for my RA and for a couple of weeks or so I've had a back ache. It's mostly in the upper back over by my left shoulder blade and I'm not real sure what to do about it. My mother's suggested I use some Bayer back and body but I think that contains some asprin and I think I remember hearing or reading that it's not a good idea to mix Methotrexate and asprin. Does anyone know if that's true? Can anyone make a

suggestion? I don't want to take something that might interfere with my prescriptions, but I also don't want to just grin and bare this back ache. I have another question. I don't remember who it was but someone mentioned some gloves that can be used with the computer. Does it act like a wrist brace for carpel tunnel or is it better? I also have carpel tunnel and need to get a new wrist brace, but sometimes they seem to be a bit cumbersome. Any info I can get on both of those I sure would appreciate. Thanks and Hugs, SusieLove, Sherrie

DSL Something to write home about. Just $16.99/mo. or less

[Guest guest]

i prolly should keep my mouth shut here but i have to comment . . . . . mtx may be poison to you but it's been a lifesaver for me with NO side effects whatsoever and i haven't felt this good in years ! ! ! ! sorry, just had to add my two cents here . . . . bon/boys>> No Biologics and heck no on the Methotrexate...that stuff is poison!!!> > Actually I am not on any meds right now. I was suppose to re-start my meds > over a month ago. But just keep forgeting. Humira burning like acid is a > good reason to forget! LOL> > I am allergic to sulfa so I discovered sulfa was an additive in a hair > cream I was using. That is the only change I have made. I got a shot of > steriods and Clarinex to take. The hives left with in minutes of the steriod shot > and have not returned. > > I called my rheummy but he told me see my PCP which was many hours after I > called him. But the time I got the message I had already seen my doc. I > don't know why I even bother to call him!!! He is a total waste of time and > money!!!! > > I just need to wait a few more weeks until the new rheummy opens his > practice in the old clinic I use to go to. > > Toni>

"Have no fear for what tomorrow may bring. The same loving God who cares for you today will take care of you tomorrow and every day. God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imaginations."-St Francis DeSales