Re: Starting Methotrexate soon, suggestions? Holly

[Guest guest]

Hi Holly:

Yes, Methotrexate is used for cancer treatment also,

but at much, much higher doses thant it is used for RA

treatment. Yes, it is scary to think of using

something that is toxic, but we use it in much lower

doses, so the toxicity is not so much of an issue.

All medications are toxic, actually, and put more

stress on your liver, but without them, where would we

as RA sufferers be? I choose to medicate rather than

be taken over by RA, pain, and disability.

How high a dose is your doctor talking about?

Usually, you start at the lowest dose and then work up

if you are not getting benefit from it. The highest

dose I was on was 20 mg. weekly, but now, with the

addition of Enbrel, I am on only 10 mg. weekly. I

take it after dinner on Friday, with a full stomach,

and then the hope is to sleep through the nausea. I

have only had nausea on a very few occasions, and

sometimes a headache, the biggest thing is that I am

very tired the next day, extra fatigued. I have had

some hair thinning, and thinning of my skin so that

when I get a scrape or cut I do bleed more easily, or

bruise more easily with bumps into things. That is

about it with the Mtx. I started on oral, then went

to injectible, and then when the injectible was hard

to find, went back to the oral. So, I have tried it

all. If you find you are very nauseated with the

oral, try the injectible and you should avoid the

nausea. Also, do not forget to take Folic Acid with

it, very important, and I also take Milk Thistle for

extra liver protection. Hope this has helped. Best

of luck to you -

Kathe in CA

--- Holly <hollybgroovin2003@...> wrote:

> Hi guys, I will be starting methotrexate soon. I

> wus supposed to be

> in a study for MRA, but because I am in more pain

> than I have ever

> been in and the study doesn't start for another 5

> weeks, I've decided

> to go the methotrexate route. I am currently using

> arthritis gloves,

> shoe inserts, and a cane to help keep weight off of

> my right foot that

> always feels broken, and I am 26. I am taking 3

> Loratabs a day which

> is a joke for pain. I've heard that methotrexate is

> great for RA.

> CAn anyone tell me what good and bad experiences

> they had with metho.

> How do you take it? Is it a pill, injection?

> Since I started

> Plaquenil, prednisone, salfalazine, and voltaren 4

> months ago my sed

> rate has tripled. I also have Lupus which I know

> doesn't help with my

> sed rate. My doctor said I would start on a high

> dosage at first.

> My company has offered to let me take short term

> diability or a

> medical leave until I find out how it will effect

> me. I can't hardly

> work now, will I be able to work with the

> methotrexate. Has anyone

> experienced hair loss? I have quite a bit from my

> lupus and meds,

> will it get worse with the methotrexate.I'm sorry

> for asking so many

> questions, but I have learned more about this

> disease from you guys

> than I have from anything else. My husband is

> worried about me taking

> the methotrexate because his uncle, who is a doctor,

> told him that

> this medication is very toxic. I, on the other hand

> am very hopeful.

> I have spent the last 2 years of my life getting

> progressively worse.

> I spent one year of that with a misdiagnosis of

> MS. This disease

> ended my life as a court reporter as many of my

> fingers on both hands

> wont bend due to swelling that has never gone away.

> You guys are so

> optimistic. I am learnig to not take things for

> granted and

> appreciate what I can do. Thanks for all your time.

> Any info on

> metho, or advice in general is greatly apprciated.

> Holly

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

try to find another medication.

Kathe Sabetzadeh <lv2ryd@...> wrote:

Hi Holly:

Yes, Methotrexate is used for cancer treatment also,

but at much, much higher doses thant it is used for RA

treatment. Yes, it is scary to think of using

something that is toxic, but we use it in much lower

doses, so the toxicity is not so much of an issue.

All medications are toxic, actually, and put more

stress on your liver, but without them, where would we

as RA sufferers be? I choose to medicate rather than

be taken over by RA, pain, and disability.

How high a dose is your doctor talking about?

Usually, you start at the lowest dose and then work up

if you are not getting benefit from it. The highest

dose I was on was 20 mg. weekly, but now, with the

addition of Enbrel, I am on only 10 mg. weekly. I

take it after dinner on Friday, with a full stomach,

and then the hope is to sleep through the nausea. I

have only had nausea on a very few occasions, and

sometimes a headache, the biggest thing is that I am

very tired the next day, extra fatigued. I have had

some hair thinning, and thinning of my skin so that

when I get a scrape or cut I do bleed more easily, or

bruise more easily with bumps into things. That is

about it with the Mtx. I started on oral, then went

to injectible, and then when the injectible was hard

to find, went back to the oral. So, I have tried it

all. If you find you are very nauseated with the

oral, try the injectible and you should avoid the

nausea. Also, do not forget to take Folic Acid with

it, very important, and I also take Milk Thistle for

extra liver protection. Hope this has helped. Best

of luck to you -

Kathe in CA

--- Holly <hollybgroovin2003@...> wrote:

> Hi guys, I will be starting methotrexate soon. I

> wus supposed to be

> in a study for MRA, but because I am in more pain

> than I have ever

> been in and the study doesn't start for another 5

> weeks, I've decided

> to go the methotrexate route. I am currently using

> arthritis gloves,

> shoe inserts, and a cane to help keep weight off of

> my right foot that

> always feels broken, and I am 26. I am taking 3

> Loratabs a day which

> is a joke for pain. I've heard that methotrexate is

> great for RA.

> CAn anyone tell me what good and bad experiences

> they had with metho.

> How do you take it? Is it a pill, injection?

> Since I started

> Plaquenil, prednisone, salfalazine, and voltaren 4

> months ago my sed

> rate has tripled. I also have Lupus which I know

> doesn't help with my

> sed rate. My doctor said I would start on a high

> dosage at first.

> My company has offered to let me take short term

> diability or a

> medical leave until I find out how it will effect

> me. I can't hardly

> work now, will I be able to work with the

> methotrexate. Has anyone

> experienced hair loss? I have quite a bit from my

> lupus and meds,

> will it get worse with the methotrexate.I'm sorry

> for asking so many

> questions, but I have learned more about this

> disease from you guys

> than I have from anything else. My husband is

> worried about me taking

> the methotrexate because his uncle, who is a doctor,

> told him that

> this medication is very toxic. I, on the other hand

> am very hopeful.

> I have spent the last 2 years of my life getting

> progressively worse.

> I spent one year of that with a misdiagnosis of

> MS. This disease

> ended my life as a court reporter as many of my

> fingers on both hands

> wont bend due to swelling that has never gone away.

> You guys are so

> optimistic. I am learnig to not take things for

> granted and

> appreciate what I can do. Thanks for all your time.

> Any info on

> metho, or advice in general is greatly apprciated.

> Holly

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Let me echo a few sentiments...folic acid, folic acid, folic acid.

I was reduce to my bed all last week after being introduced back on MTX. Since

my insurance/money situation is as such I cannot afford the more costly meds

which leads me to MTX AGAIN. I hated the feeling and asked for help from my

fellow listmates.

I pumped myself full of folic acid, taking 2400units of it this week, each day.

I also took Prevacid earlier in the evening before I took the MTX. Mind you I

don't know which one helped but aside from some mild nausea about midnight I

have been good to go today.

Just playing sick so I can get downtime while hubby is off

Shandi

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/28/2006 12:38:14 PM Central Standard Time,

lv2ryd@... writes:

How high a dose is your doctor talking about?

Usually, you start at the lowest dose and then work up

if you are not getting benefit from it. The highest

dose I was on was 20 mg. weekly, but now, with the

addition of Enbrel, I am on only 10 mg. weekly. I

take it after dinner on Friday, with a full stomach,

and then the hope is to sleep through the nausea.

Kathe trhanks for the info. Did you ever have the shakes along with nausea?

Its no big deal i was just wondering. I am currently on 15mg Mtx weekly.

Folic Acid? I'll have to go get some ASAP. HUGS

from PA