Methotrexate via injection

November 22, 2006

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today was my return visit to my rheumatologist, having been diagnosed with RA

two

weeks ago and recently completed a two week course of Prednisone. I told her

with four

days of using Prednisone, the swelling in my hands went down, my pain was

reduced and I

felt a surge or energy. I relayed that when I tapered the Prednisone, most of

my

symptoms returned.

We discussed options and she recommended Methotrexate. Nothing surprising

there.

When we discussed that I have chronic gastritis (from years of taking NSAIDS),

she offered

me the option of injecting the Methotrexate weekly. Bypassing my stomach is an

attractive option so I learned how to give myself a shot today.

I have a couple of questions for those who take this medication.

1. Within several hours of the injection, I felt an almost crushing fatigue and

pain in my

joints. Coincidence? Also, I live in the Northeast and we're having nasty cold

and wet

weather this evening. So...

2. I don't drink, primarily because I'm generally on pain medication. I was

going to forego

the pain meds tomorrow to have a glass of wine with Thanksgiving Dinner. Then I

read

that one should never drink with Methotrexate. Is this a hard and fast rule?

I didn't ask

my doctor because I didn't put the two together.

3. My doctor said that the Methotrexate could take up to a month to work. She

gave me a

script for 5 mg. Prednisone to take daily in the event the pain gets really bad

again. How

long did it take for your Methotrexate to take effect?

Many thanks!

Paige

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