Introduction and Methotrexate

[Guest guest]

Hello everybody,

I was diagnosed with RA just about five years ago. Now I have a

six-month-old baby. While I was pregnant, the symptoms of my RA lessened

considerably. I almost forgot that I had it! But just as my doctor

predicted, I had a flare-up about five-to-six weeks post-partum. Now my

doctor wants me to stop breastfeeding and begin taking Methotrexate.

I've read about it, and MTX is very nasty stuff. It is *definitely* a

no-no while breastfeeding. Also, according to my doctor, MTX only

" works " in 60% of RA patients. I wish that others who have used MTX would

share their experiences, both negative and positive, with me. What sort of

side effects did people endure?? How did people know that it was or was

not " working " ?? How long did it take before any change was seen or

felt?? Did anybody have an allergic reaction, and if so, what was it

like?? Thank you for any information or advice you can offer.

Araminta

" Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its

tail. " --- Kinky Friedman

[Guest guest]

Araminta,

Welcome to the group but so sorry you need to be her.

My experience with methatrexate

-no side effects but also no benefits for me.

-my doctor always said to give a new drug a month before any effect.

This is just me experience-others have great results, haven't really heard

of any of the dire warnings really coming true.

Temple

3 Fox Haven Way

Chelmsford, MA 01824

dat2352@...

[Guest guest]

Hi Araminta,

Although I am sorry for the reason you are here, welcome to our

group. Here you will find some very knowledgable and compassionate

people who also have great senses of humor.

I have RA and Still's Disease and started taking MTX last year. I was

one of those that had to stop because of the side-effects. It made me

sick and I started having out of body like experiences where my mind

and body would not synch up. It clouded my mind and made it hard for

me to function at work.

I do know that this doesn't happen to everyone and some people get a

real benefit from its use.

If I can provide any further information, please do not hesitate to

let me know.

All my best,

Al in IL

> Hello everybody,

>

> I was diagnosed with RA just about five years ago. Now I have a

> six-month-old baby. While I was pregnant, the symptoms of my RA

lessened

> considerably. I almost forgot that I had it! But just as my doctor

> predicted, I had a flare-up about five-to-six weeks post-partum.

Now my

> doctor wants me to stop breastfeeding and begin taking

Methotrexate.

> I've read about it, and MTX is very nasty stuff. It is *definitely*

a

> no-no while breastfeeding. Also, according to my doctor, MTX only

> " works " in 60% of RA patients. I wish that others who have used MTX

would

> share their experiences, both negative and positive, with me. What

sort of

> side effects did people endure?? How did people know that it was

or was

> not " working " ?? How long did it take before any change was seen or

> felt?? Did anybody have an allergic reaction, and if so, what was

it

> like?? Thank you for any information or advice you can offer.

>

> Araminta

>

> " Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its

> tail. " --- Kinky Friedman

[Guest guest]

Hi Ariminta and Welcome:

I am 48 years old, have been diagnosed with RA for 3

years and am currently taking Arava, Methotrexate and

Bextra. I started treatment with Plaquenil,

Prednisone and Motrin. Then stopped the Prednisone

after a few months (have taken it occasionally since

then with severe flares). I was good for almost 2-1/2

years and then the RA began to progress. MTX was

added to the Plaquenil and Motrin, that did not do the

trick, the Plaquenil was dropped, and Arava added to

the MTX and Motrin switched to Bextra.

I have been taking the MTX since last December. I was

also very reluctant to take this med because of the

possible side effects, especially problems with my

liver, but so far, so good. I get blood work done

every 8 weeks to keep track of liver function and have

not had any problems with that. I have also not had

any problems with nausea; I take 15 mg. every Friday

night and make sure to take them on a full stomach

before bed, and that way if there is any nausea I

sleep through it. I have noticed that I am more tired

the next two days but that goes away. I have not had

any mouth sores. My hair has always been baby fine

but I don't notice that I have been losing more than

usual. I take 3 400 mcg tabs of Folic Acid daily

which is supposed to help keep the side effects to a

minimum. I am waiting for the elusive Embrel to

accept new patients to switch to that, but who knows

when that will be.

Until then, the meds I am taking are working well

enough. Still have fatigue and pain, but it is

tolerable most of the time, still have flares, but I

am doing well. All the medications we have to take

for RA seem to have nasty side effects, especially

hard on the liver, but being able to cope with the

disease and continue to function in my life is

important and I will take what I need to. I worry

about the side effects but I can't let that deter me

from taking medications that help me. MTX is an old

drug, very long used for RA, and it has helped a lot

of people with this disease. There are other meds

available - Plaquenil has the least amount of side

effects, you might discuss that with your doctor - but

the final decision is up to you.

Congratulations on your baby and best wishes with your

RA treatment.

Kathe in CA

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

> Araminta

>

>Hello and Welcome to the group. I am 52 and have had RA for 15

years, I made it passed my child bearing years before I got RA. I am

on Methotrexate (27mg)injectable, I have been on methotrexate for a

number of years, part of the time I have taken pills. I have had no

side affects and it is the only thing that works for me, I have tried

everything else. I am faithful about getting my blood work done.

Even the Mtx is not working as well as it did, I have really sore

joints but I have very little damage to my joints even after 15yrs

with this not so fun disease. Everyone is different but I have done

pretty well on this medication.

There is a lot of information on this site.

in WA

[Guest guest]

Hi Araminta,

My name is Suzanne and I was diagnosed with RA this past January. I was

started on methotrexate and prednisone over the next 3 months. I have had

no side effects to speak of from the methotrexate (other than trying to stay

out of the sun). It took about 3 months to kick in and before I could wean

myself off the prednisone. I intially felt wonderful on the prednisone until

some of the side effects started up. The worst for me were the headaches.

They stopped when I was able to stop taking the prednisone. I began taking

Vioxx with the methotrexate after I stopped taking the prednisone. For the

most part I feel pretty good. I had a lot of fatigue in the beginning. I

don't notice it too much anymore. Just lately my right shoulder is starting

to act up at night. Makes it hard to sleep. During the day I feel quite good

and am very functional and able to

work. I haven't forgotten how bad I was before I started my current

medications and frequently remind myself of me then and me now when I start

to think I'm feeling bad. Yes my shoulder has been bothering me, but my

condition is still much improved from what it was.

I think you'll find that methotrexate is well tolerated by a large number of

people and if it works for you it will make a great improvement in how you

feel.

Good luck and nice meeting you!

Suzanne

[ ] Introduction and Methotrexate

> Hello everybody,

>

> I was diagnosed with RA just about five years ago. Now I have a

> six-month-old baby. While I was pregnant, the symptoms of my RA lessened

> considerably. I almost forgot that I had it! But just as my doctor

> predicted, I had a flare-up about five-to-six weeks post-partum. Now my

> doctor wants me to stop breastfeeding and begin taking Methotrexate.

> I've read about it, and MTX is very nasty stuff. It is *definitely* a

> no-no while breastfeeding. Also, according to my doctor, MTX only

> " works " in 60% of RA patients. I wish that others who have used MTX would

> share their experiences, both negative and positive, with me. What sort of

> side effects did people endure?? How did people know that it was or was

> not " working " ?? How long did it take before any change was seen or

> felt?? Did anybody have an allergic reaction, and if so, what was it

> like?? Thank you for any information or advice you can offer.

>

> Araminta

>

> " Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its

> tail. " --- Kinky Friedman