Guest guest Posted September 7, 2006 Report Share Posted September 7, 2006 Of course all of the meds affect us differently but I noticed the odd taste in my mouth, almost like blood taste, and my teeth seemed kinda achey (that was weird) aversion to light, headache, nausea (no vomiting), diarrhea and bone weary fatigue. Overall feeling ichy. It has improved over time, and I take my folic acid every day. It is common to start at a lower dose and go up gradually. I give myself injections at home. The worst of the side effects usually pass for me after a few days. Cassy --- In , " " <leslielick777@...> wrote: > > Hi all, > > I had my first Methotrexate shot today. Now I'm waiting to see what > side effects, if any I'll have. Did any of you have an odd taste in > your mouth from the shot? I have a hard time describing the taste, > but even after eating, it's still there. > > I had my shot around noon, and by 4:00 I could tell that I was quite > fatigued. Don't know if its the MTX or just RA that has me in such a > fatigued state. > > I guess tomorrow will be the tell tale sign of whether I'll be > throwing up or not. Tonight I just feel a bit odd in my stomach, not > nauseated yet, but close. It comes in waves. > > So, I return once a week for a shot and each visit the dose is > increased. Then on the 4th visit for shot, I'll see my rheumy and > discuss how things are going. > > I assume this is normal protocol for this med and treatment. Some > have said that they take folic acid along with MTX. This was never > brought up by the nurse as an option or that it was part of their plan > treatments. I guess maybe they are waiting to see how I do on the MTX > before introducing anything else. > > I'd appreciate input on this as to whether this sounds like normal MTX > protocal as well as side effects. > > Thanks, > > Les > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Hi Les, I have never had any bad taste in my mouth from Mtx, nor has it made me vomit. In the beginning, when I was on the pills, I got very sick from it, but it was flu-like symptoms. I ached all over, and felt like I had a fever. I don't know if I really did... I was too sick to get out of bed and check it. Adding Leucovorin cut down the side effects quite a bit, and switching to injectable took care of most of the rest, other than some residual fatigue. I'd be surprised if you had too much trouble with nausea with the injectable. I think most people who have problems with that are taking the pills. The injectable bypasses your stomach, so it isn't usually a problem. I am surprised that you have to go to the Dr's office to get the shots. I think most of us on injectable Mtx give ourselves the shots. It's not hard to do. As far as folic acid is concerned, while the specific WAY that people take it seems to vary somewhat, from what I have read, it is an important part of Mtx therapy for RA. Studies have shown that it does not reduce the effectiveness of the Mtx, but it reduces or eliminates many of the side effects, plus protecting you from Mtx toxicity. This is important because Mtx can be hard on your liver and can cause blood problems. Of course, your doc should be following you closely with regular blood work, so and liver or blood problems can be caught early, but it's better to avoid the problems to start with, and be able to remain on the medicine. Gine has posted some great articles on folic acid (and Leucovorin, which is folinic acid) use with Mtx in the past. Maybe she can provide a pointer to one of the artilces for you again. --- In , " " <leslielick777@...> wrote: > > Hi all, > > I had my first Methotrexate shot today. Now I'm waiting to see what > side effects, if any I'll have. Did any of you have an odd taste in > your mouth from the shot? I have a hard time describing the taste, > but even after eating, it's still there. > > I had my shot around noon, and by 4:00 I could tell that I was quite > fatigued. Don't know if its the MTX or just RA that has me in such a > fatigued state. > > I guess tomorrow will be the tell tale sign of whether I'll be > throwing up or not. Tonight I just feel a bit odd in my stomach, not > nauseated yet, but close. It comes in waves. > > So, I return once a week for a shot and each visit the dose is > increased. Then on the 4th visit for shot, I'll see my rheumy and > discuss how things are going. > > I assume this is normal protocol for this med and treatment. Some > have said that they take folic acid along with MTX. This was never > brought up by the nurse as an option or that it was part of their plan > treatments. I guess maybe they are waiting to see how I do on the MTX > before introducing anything else. > > I'd appreciate input on this as to whether this sounds like normal MTX > protocal as well as side effects. > > Thanks, > > Les > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Thanks Cassy, I'm glad you answered this post. I was afraid I was a bit crazy and conjuring up the strange taste in my mouth in my head just because I was looking for possible side effects. Now I feel better about that. I haven't vomited yet, but have had the headache and the overall feel of just ichy. No diarrhea yet, but I just woke up too, so that may change. Glad that the symptoms subside after a few days. Probably just in time to start the next dose. ))) Take care and thanks again. Les > Of course all of the meds affect us differently but I noticed the > odd taste in my mouth, almost like blood taste, and my teeth seemed > kinda achey (that was weird) aversion to light, headache, nausea (no > vomiting), diarrhea and bone weary fatigue. Overall feeling ichy. > It has improved over time, and I take my folic acid every day. It > is common to start at a lower dose and go up gradually. I give > myself injections at home. The worst of the side effects usually > pass for me after a few days. Cassy > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Hi , Thanks for the input. I didn't realize that the injection over pills left very different side effects. That's very good to know. I think that the reason I'm not giving myself injections is because this being my first treatment, they are working me up gradually to what every my final dosage will be and then possibly she will allow me to treat myself at home. She had me wait 10 minutes after my injection to be sure I was ok, and also took my blood pressure and temperature. Don't know if that is important or not. I'll ask the doctor about folic acid next week when I see her for my 2nd treatment. Thanks so much for all your help. You are a world of knowledge and I look forward to learning from you. Take care, Les > > Hi Les, > > I have never had any bad taste in my mouth from Mtx, nor has it made > me vomit. In the beginning, when I was on the pills, I got very > sick from it, but it was flu-like symptoms. I ached all over, and > felt like I had a fever. I don't know if I really did... I was too > sick to get out of bed and check it. Adding Leucovorin cut down the > side effects quite a bit, and switching to injectable took care of > most of the rest, other than some residual fatigue. > > I'd be surprised if you had too much trouble with nausea with the > injectable. I think most people who have problems with that are > taking the pills. The injectable bypasses your stomach, so it isn't > usually a problem. > > I am surprised that you have to go to the Dr's office to get the > shots. I think most of us on injectable Mtx give ourselves the > shots. It's not hard to do. > > As far as folic acid is concerned, while the specific WAY that > people take it seems to vary somewhat, from what I have read, it is > an important part of Mtx therapy for RA. Studies have shown that it > does not reduce the effectiveness of the Mtx, but it reduces or > eliminates many of the side effects, plus protecting you from Mtx > toxicity. This is important because Mtx can be hard on your liver > and can cause blood problems. Of course, your doc should be > following you closely with regular blood work, so and liver or blood > problems can be caught early, but it's better to avoid the problems > to start with, and be able to remain on the medicine. > > Gine has posted some great articles on folic acid (and Leucovorin, > which is folinic acid) use with Mtx in the past. Maybe she can > provide a pointer to one of the artilces for you again. > > > > > > > > Hi all, > > > > I had my first Methotrexate shot today. Now I'm waiting to see > what > > side effects, if any I'll have. Did any of you have an odd taste > in > > your mouth from the shot? I have a hard time describing the taste, > > but even after eating, it's still there. > > > > I had my shot around noon, and by 4:00 I could tell that I was > quite > > fatigued. Don't know if its the MTX or just RA that has me in > such a > > fatigued state. > > > > I guess tomorrow will be the tell tale sign of whether I'll be > > throwing up or not. Tonight I just feel a bit odd in my stomach, > not > > nauseated yet, but close. It comes in waves. > > > > So, I return once a week for a shot and each visit the dose is > > increased. Then on the 4th visit for shot, I'll see my rheumy and > > discuss how things are going. > > > > I assume this is normal protocol for this med and treatment. Some > > have said that they take folic acid along with MTX. This was never > > brought up by the nurse as an option or that it was part of their > plan > > treatments. I guess maybe they are waiting to see how I do on the > MTX > > before introducing anything else. > > > > I'd appreciate input on this as to whether this sounds like normal > MTX > > protocal as well as side effects. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Les > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 I've had lots of Cortisone shots but was made to stay for 20 minutes only once. It has to be a doctor thing, not necessarily the rules. When I changed from MTX pills to liquid to shots, I only received verbal instructions at most. My doctors knew I was knowledgeable so they didn't worry about something going wrong that I wouldn't notice. Maybe that's the way it is. Dennis in Eastexas " It's not Rocket Surgery " [ ] Re: 1st MTX shot > Hi , > > Thanks for the input. I didn't realize that the injection over pills > left very different side effects. That's very good to know. I think > that the reason I'm not giving myself injections is because this being > my first treatment, they are working me up gradually to what every my > final dosage will be and then possibly she will allow me to treat > myself at home. She had me wait 10 minutes after my injection to be > sure I was ok, and also took my blood pressure and temperature. Don't > know if that is important or not. > > I'll ask the doctor about folic acid next week when I see her for my > 2nd treatment. > Thanks so much for all your help. You are a world of knowledge and I > look forward to learning from you. > > Take care, > Les > > > >> >> Hi Les, >> >> I have never had any bad taste in my mouth from Mtx, nor has it made >> me vomit. In the beginning, when I was on the pills, I got very >> sick from it, but it was flu-like symptoms. I ached all over, and >> felt like I had a fever. I don't know if I really did... I was too >> sick to get out of bed and check it. Adding Leucovorin cut down the >> side effects quite a bit, and switching to injectable took care of >> most of the rest, other than some residual fatigue. >> >> I'd be surprised if you had too much trouble with nausea with the >> injectable. I think most people who have problems with that are >> taking the pills. The injectable bypasses your stomach, so it isn't >> usually a problem. >> >> I am surprised that you have to go to the Dr's office to get the >> shots. I think most of us on injectable Mtx give ourselves the >> shots. It's not hard to do. >> >> As far as folic acid is concerned, while the specific WAY that >> people take it seems to vary somewhat, from what I have read, it is >> an important part of Mtx therapy for RA. Studies have shown that it >> does not reduce the effectiveness of the Mtx, but it reduces or >> eliminates many of the side effects, plus protecting you from Mtx >> toxicity. This is important because Mtx can be hard on your liver >> and can cause blood problems. Of course, your doc should be >> following you closely with regular blood work, so and liver or blood >> problems can be caught early, but it's better to avoid the problems >> to start with, and be able to remain on the medicine. >> >> Gine has posted some great articles on folic acid (and Leucovorin, >> which is folinic acid) use with Mtx in the past. Maybe she can >> provide a pointer to one of the artilces for you again. >> >> >> >> >> > >> > Hi all, >> > >> > I had my first Methotrexate shot today. Now I'm waiting to see >> what >> > side effects, if any I'll have. Did any of you have an odd taste >> in >> > your mouth from the shot? I have a hard time describing the taste, >> > but even after eating, it's still there. >> > >> > I had my shot around noon, and by 4:00 I could tell that I was >> quite >> > fatigued. Don't know if its the MTX or just RA that has me in >> such a >> > fatigued state. >> > >> > I guess tomorrow will be the tell tale sign of whether I'll be >> > throwing up or not. Tonight I just feel a bit odd in my stomach, >> not >> > nauseated yet, but close. It comes in waves. >> > >> > So, I return once a week for a shot and each visit the dose is >> > increased. Then on the 4th visit for shot, I'll see my rheumy and >> > discuss how things are going. >> > >> > I assume this is normal protocol for this med and treatment. Some >> > have said that they take folic acid along with MTX. This was never >> > brought up by the nurse as an option or that it was part of their >> plan >> > treatments. I guess maybe they are waiting to see how I do on the >> MTX >> > before introducing anything else. >> > >> > I'd appreciate input on this as to whether this sounds like normal >> MTX >> > protocal as well as side effects. >> > >> > Thanks, >> > >> > Les >> > >> > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 8, 2006 Report Share Posted September 8, 2006 Your welcome and while I am not totally " used " to it now, it is a little better with an increase of folic acid, helps with the side effects. Your about right, I try to take mine on tues or wed so my weekends with the kids are not totally ruined. LOL. Cassy > > Thanks Cassy, > > I'm glad you answered this post. I was afraid I was a bit crazy and > conjuring up the strange taste in my mouth in my head just because I > was looking for possible side effects. Now I feel better about that. I > haven't vomited yet, but have had the headache and the overall feel of > just ichy. No diarrhea yet, but I just woke up too, so that may change. > > Glad that the symptoms subside after a few days. Probably just in time > to start the next dose. ))) > > Take care and thanks again. > > Les > > > > > > Of course all of the meds affect us differently but I noticed the > > odd taste in my mouth, almost like blood taste, and my teeth seemed > > kinda achey (that was weird) aversion to light, headache, nausea (no > > vomiting), diarrhea and bone weary fatigue. Overall feeling ichy. > > It has improved over time, and I take my folic acid every day. It > > is common to start at a lower dose and go up gradually. I give > > myself injections at home. The worst of the side effects usually > > pass for me after a few days. Cassy > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi Les, Do remember that lots of people get no side effects at all, and people rarely get ALL the possible side effects of a drug. It's good to be aware of the possible side effects so you know which ones are just troublesome, and which could be dangerous, but also try not to " borrow trouble " , waiting for side effects to hit you. If you get side effects, talk to your doc about them. Many can be dealt with in various ways. --- In , " " <leslielick777@...> wrote: > > Thanks Cassy, > > I'm glad you answered this post. I was afraid I was a bit crazy and > conjuring up the strange taste in my mouth in my head just because I > was looking for possible side effects. Now I feel better about that. I > haven't vomited yet, but have had the headache and the overall feel of > just ichy. No diarrhea yet, but I just woke up too, so that may change. > > Glad that the symptoms subside after a few days. Probably just in time > to start the next dose. ))) > > Take care and thanks again. > > Les > > > > > > Of course all of the meds affect us differently but I noticed the > > odd taste in my mouth, almost like blood taste, and my teeth seemed > > kinda achey (that was weird) aversion to light, headache, nausea (no > > vomiting), diarrhea and bone weary fatigue. Overall feeling ichy. > > It has improved over time, and I take my folic acid every day. It > > is common to start at a lower dose and go up gradually. I give > > myself injections at home. The worst of the side effects usually > > pass for me after a few days. Cassy > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Hi , I'm glad to share what I've learned with you, but PLEASE don't get the idea that I'm any sort of expert... I've only been dealing with this since January, myself! Unfortunately, I've had to learn about a lot of different drugs already, because my RA seems to be particularly resistant to treament. I saw my rheumatologist yesterday, and she told me I was a " very frustrating case " . Gee, made my day!<g> The good thing is that I really like her, and we do have a game plan. I just wish we could find that " magic bullet " for me. > > > > > > Hi all, > > > > > > I had my first Methotrexate shot today. Now I'm waiting to see > > what > > > side effects, if any I'll have. Did any of you have an odd taste > > in > > > your mouth from the shot? I have a hard time describing the taste, > > > but even after eating, it's still there. > > > > > > I had my shot around noon, and by 4:00 I could tell that I was > > quite > > > fatigued. Don't know if its the MTX or just RA that has me in > > such a > > > fatigued state. > > > > > > I guess tomorrow will be the tell tale sign of whether I'll be > > > throwing up or not. Tonight I just feel a bit odd in my stomach, > > not > > > nauseated yet, but close. It comes in waves. > > > > > > So, I return once a week for a shot and each visit the dose is > > > increased. Then on the 4th visit for shot, I'll see my rheumy and > > > discuss how things are going. > > > > > > I assume this is normal protocol for this med and treatment. Some > > > have said that they take folic acid along with MTX. This was never > > > brought up by the nurse as an option or that it was part of their > > plan > > > treatments. I guess maybe they are waiting to see how I do on the > > MTX > > > before introducing anything else. > > > > > > I'd appreciate input on this as to whether this sounds like normal > > MTX > > > protocal as well as side effects. > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Les > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Thanks everyone who responded to my post. This is kind of a blanket reply as my wrists and fingers are in pretty bad shape right now, so I'm thanking everyone who responded in one fell swoop. )) It's good to have a place to ask questions, and I'm sure I will be among many who do. This is all so new to me and I just haven't gotten enough facts yet to fully understand how RA works and how to manage it. I'm just so glad to have this place to ask quetions and learn as much as I can from others who have much more knowledge to share. All my best, Les > > Hi , > > I'm glad to share what I've learned with you, but PLEASE don't get > the idea that I'm any sort of expert... I've only been dealing with > this since January, myself! Unfortunately, I've had to learn about > a lot of different drugs already, because my RA seems to be > particularly resistant to treament. I saw my rheumatologist > yesterday, and she told me I was a " very frustrating case " . Gee, > made my day!<g> > > The good thing is that I really like her, and we do have a game > plan. I just wish we could find that " magic bullet " for me. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 10, 2006 Report Share Posted September 10, 2006 Oh, ou are entirely welcome! Remember, every one of us was new to RA at one point or another, some of us more recently than others! <g> We _ALL_ know how scary it is in the beginning. And while it is important to learn as much as you can and educate yourself, that in itself can be pretty scary as you pick through various bits and pieces. You will hear a " horror story " about every single med and treatment, and you will hear abouut people whose RA is not well controlled at all. But remember, that for each of those, there are many people who have NOT had intolerable side effects from the meds, and many people whose RA is well controlled. It's hard to put things in perspective when you are being flooded with new information. I can't say that my RA is under great control yet, but at least I have learned enough to feel very comfortable that I have found a rheumatologist that I really trust to help me get things under control as well as well as possible. The frustrating thing is that it can take a LONG time to find meds that work well, because you have to be on most meds for 2-3 months before you know for sure whether they are going to work or not. --- In , " " <leslielick777@...> wrote: > > Thanks everyone who responded to my post. > > This is kind of a blanket reply as my wrists and fingers are in pretty > bad shape right now, so I'm thanking everyone who responded in one > fell swoop. )) > > It's good to have a place to ask questions, and I'm sure I will be > among many who do. This is all so new to me and I just haven't gotten > enough facts yet to fully understand how RA works and how to manage it. > > I'm just so glad to have this place to ask quetions and learn as much > as I can from others who have much more knowledge to share. > > All my best, > > Les > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi , > > > > I'm glad to share what I've learned with you, but PLEASE don't get > > the idea that I'm any sort of expert... I've only been dealing with > > this since January, myself! Unfortunately, I've had to learn about > > a lot of different drugs already, because my RA seems to be > > particularly resistant to treament. I saw my rheumatologist > > yesterday, and she told me I was a " very frustrating case " . Gee, > > made my day!<g> > > > > The good thing is that I really like her, and we do have a game > > plan. I just wish we could find that " magic bullet " for me. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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