Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 Yes I am taking the folic acid 1mg a day. Thanks for asking Havent started the plaq. Im a chicken I hated and would never take meds before this not even tylenol for a headache. Just a bit of info for you and the group. echinacea I used to take to support my immune system and melentonin for help sleeping. On the bottle of these 2 herbs says that you are not to take IF you have an auto immune diease. Its in the fine print. Please pass this along for everyone plus do you know of any good herbal websites to help with issues like this taht are pretty detailed so that we can all look up stuff like this. I study herbs and read alot of books but info seems scarce still. Thanks again. Latisha <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:Are you taking folic acid, too, Latisha? Most rheumatologists believe and research shows that it should be taken with MTX to prevent or lessen side effects. Good luck! I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Plaquinel/ Mtx???? > > Hi all I just started taking MTX injections only .3 dose I feel ok but only have 1 shot under my belt so far. Do side affects usually start right away or build up slowly or what? Also my doc wants me to start taking plaquinel I havent yet he told me to wait a few days and then start. What problems do all of you have with it and do you have any ideas or tips to help with side affects. Thanks alot. Latisha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 11, 2004 Report Share Posted September 11, 2004 Yes I am taking the folic acid 1mg a day. Thanks for asking Havent started the plaq. Im a chicken I hated and would never take meds before this not even tylenol for a headache. Just a bit of info for you and the group. echinacea I used to take to support my immune system and melentonin for help sleeping. On the bottle of these 2 herbs says that you are not to take IF you have an auto immune diease. Its in the fine print. Please pass this along for everyone plus do you know of any good herbal websites to help with issues like this taht are pretty detailed so that we can all look up stuff like this. I study herbs and read alot of books but info seems scarce still. Thanks again. Latisha <Matsumura_Clan@...> wrote:Are you taking folic acid, too, Latisha? Most rheumatologists believe and research shows that it should be taken with MTX to prevent or lessen side effects. Good luck! I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Plaquinel/ Mtx???? > > Hi all I just started taking MTX injections only .3 dose I feel ok but only have 1 shot under my belt so far. Do side affects usually start right away or build up slowly or what? Also my doc wants me to start taking plaquinel I havent yet he told me to wait a few days and then start. What problems do all of you have with it and do you have any ideas or tips to help with side affects. Thanks alot. Latisha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Glad to hear that you are taking folic acid, Latisha. It's OK that you are a little afraid to take the Plaquenil. That's normal. I know you'll find the courage soon. I like this site for looking up information on herbs and other supplements: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center " About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products " : http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Plaquinel/ Mtx? > Yes I am taking the folic acid 1mg a day. Thanks for asking Havent started the plaq. Im a chicken I hated and would never take meds before this not even tylenol for a headache. Just a bit of info for you and the group. echinacea I used to take to support my immune system and melentonin for help sleeping. On the bottle of these 2 herbs says that you are not to take IF you have an auto immune diease. Its in the fine print. Please pass this along for everyone plus do you know of any good herbal websites to help with issues like this taht are pretty detailed so that we can all look up stuff like this. I study herbs and read alot of books but info seems scarce still. Thanks again. Latisha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Glad to hear that you are taking folic acid, Latisha. It's OK that you are a little afraid to take the Plaquenil. That's normal. I know you'll find the courage soon. I like this site for looking up information on herbs and other supplements: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center " About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products " : http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org Re: [ ] Plaquinel/ Mtx? > Yes I am taking the folic acid 1mg a day. Thanks for asking Havent started the plaq. Im a chicken I hated and would never take meds before this not even tylenol for a headache. Just a bit of info for you and the group. echinacea I used to take to support my immune system and melentonin for help sleeping. On the bottle of these 2 herbs says that you are not to take IF you have an auto immune diease. Its in the fine print. Please pass this along for everyone plus do you know of any good herbal websites to help with issues like this taht are pretty detailed so that we can all look up stuff like this. I study herbs and read alot of books but info seems scarce still. Thanks again. Latisha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 I hated and would never take meds before this not even tylenol for a headache. That's true for a lot of us. echinacea I used to take to support my immune system and melentonin for help sleeping. Just pretend the meds you'll be taking are herbs! Actually, when you think about it, prescription meds are subject to rigorous saftey testing and quality controls. If you get a good doctor working with you on dosage and other adjustments, and monitoring your body for side effects, there's not so much to fear. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 I hated and would never take meds before this not even tylenol for a headache. That's true for a lot of us. echinacea I used to take to support my immune system and melentonin for help sleeping. Just pretend the meds you'll be taking are herbs! Actually, when you think about it, prescription meds are subject to rigorous saftey testing and quality controls. If you get a good doctor working with you on dosage and other adjustments, and monitoring your body for side effects, there's not so much to fear. S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 I've noticed quite a few people now taking Plaquinel and/or Mtx. Just in case your physicians have not advised you, there are a few precautions that need to be taken with those drugs. When taking Plaquinel it is important to have regular, complete eye exams by an opthamologist. There is a rare but possible risk for damage to the eyes. With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before starting to take Mtx. If you are taking it and haven't had the baseline chest x-ray done, please ask your doctor for that ASAP. If you develop a respiratory infection that seems to settle in your chest, see a doctor immediately. I'm not trying to scare anyone. Both are excellent drugs and I'm glad to see more doctors again prescribing them. For awhile I didn't hear of many patients taking plaquinel especially, yet I know of many people who have had great success with it. But like every drug, there are precautions to be taken. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 I've noticed quite a few people now taking Plaquinel and/or Mtx. Just in case your physicians have not advised you, there are a few precautions that need to be taken with those drugs. When taking Plaquinel it is important to have regular, complete eye exams by an opthamologist. There is a rare but possible risk for damage to the eyes. With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before starting to take Mtx. If you are taking it and haven't had the baseline chest x-ray done, please ask your doctor for that ASAP. If you develop a respiratory infection that seems to settle in your chest, see a doctor immediately. I'm not trying to scare anyone. Both are excellent drugs and I'm glad to see more doctors again prescribing them. For awhile I didn't hear of many patients taking plaquinel especially, yet I know of many people who have had great success with it. But like every drug, there are precautions to be taken. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 > With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before > starting to take Mtx. Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a smoker or if other risk factors are present. S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 > With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before > starting to take Mtx. Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a smoker or if other risk factors are present. S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Because who will develop MTX pneumonitis can't be predicted with certainty, and since a person may have lung disease and not be aware of it, the American College of Rheumatology recommends that a baseline chest X-ray no older than one year be examined prior to beginning MTX therapy. Here is their statement on the matter: " Pneumonitis is an uncommon complication of long-term MTX therapy, with a frequency on the order of 2-6% (42). Precise risk factors for the development of pneumonitis are unknown. However, patients with preexisting lung damage have reduced pulmonary reserve and therefore have a greater likelihood of severe morbidity should this complication occur (47). Pneumonitis due to MTX can occur at any time during a course of therapy and at any dosage. Review of a radiograph obtained within 1 year prior to the initiation of MTX therapy is recommended to determine if preexisting lung disease is present and to provide a baseline for future comparison (42,48). If evidence of significant lung disease is present, therapy with MTX should be reconsidered. Monitoring consists of assessing symptoms of pneumonitis, such as cough, dyspnea on exertion, or shortness of breath, at each followup visit. " American College of Rheumatology " Guidelines for Monitoring Drug Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis " : http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/ra-drug/ra-drug.asp?aud=mem I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Re: Plaquinel/ Mtx? > > > > With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before > > starting to take Mtx. > > Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a > smoker or if other risk factors are present. > > S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 12, 2004 Report Share Posted September 12, 2004 Because who will develop MTX pneumonitis can't be predicted with certainty, and since a person may have lung disease and not be aware of it, the American College of Rheumatology recommends that a baseline chest X-ray no older than one year be examined prior to beginning MTX therapy. Here is their statement on the matter: " Pneumonitis is an uncommon complication of long-term MTX therapy, with a frequency on the order of 2-6% (42). Precise risk factors for the development of pneumonitis are unknown. However, patients with preexisting lung damage have reduced pulmonary reserve and therefore have a greater likelihood of severe morbidity should this complication occur (47). Pneumonitis due to MTX can occur at any time during a course of therapy and at any dosage. Review of a radiograph obtained within 1 year prior to the initiation of MTX therapy is recommended to determine if preexisting lung disease is present and to provide a baseline for future comparison (42,48). If evidence of significant lung disease is present, therapy with MTX should be reconsidered. Monitoring consists of assessing symptoms of pneumonitis, such as cough, dyspnea on exertion, or shortness of breath, at each followup visit. " American College of Rheumatology " Guidelines for Monitoring Drug Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis " : http://www.rheumatology.org/publications/guidelines/ra-drug/ra-drug.asp?aud=mem I'll tell you where to go! Mayo Clinic in Rochester http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester s Hopkins Medicine http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org [ ] Re: Plaquinel/ Mtx? > > > > With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before > > starting to take Mtx. > > Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a > smoker or if other risk factors are present. > > S. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Your rheumy may not follow the guidelines set by the American College of Rheumatology. There are quite a few that don't, which I don't understand. It seems like a simple, non-invasive way to monitor potential lung side effects of mtx. Maybe he hasn't had any patients that have had lung side effects so he doesn't realize the value. a > > >> With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before >> starting to take Mtx. > > Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a > smoker or if other risk factors are present. > > S. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 Your rheumy may not follow the guidelines set by the American College of Rheumatology. There are quite a few that don't, which I don't understand. It seems like a simple, non-invasive way to monitor potential lung side effects of mtx. Maybe he hasn't had any patients that have had lung side effects so he doesn't realize the value. a > > >> With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before >> starting to take Mtx. > > Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a > smoker or if other risk factors are present. > > S. > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 She teaches at the U of M med school... S > > > >> With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before > >> starting to take Mtx. > > > > Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a > > smoker or if other risk factors are present. > > > > S. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 13, 2004 Report Share Posted September 13, 2004 She teaches at the U of M med school... S > > > >> With Mtx it is crucial to have a baseline chest x-ray done before > >> starting to take Mtx. > > > > Not according to my rheumy--she says she does them if the person is a > > smoker or if other risk factors are present. > > > > S. > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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