Guest guest Posted June 6, 2008 Report Share Posted June 6, 2008 I had surgery on my cervical spine on the 2nd of May and all I stopped was my naproxen for six months. Jere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 2008 Report Share Posted June 7, 2008 The antibiotics are because you have had hip and knee replacement. My dentist informed me that anyone who has had any kind of joint replacement must take anitbiotics. I had a finger joint replaces and I do not have to take antibiotics. So it is best to check with your doctor. > > From: Pam Hunt <pamhunt56@...> > Subject: [ ] Methotrexate > > Date: Friday, June 6, 2008, 3:34 PM > > > > > > > > I take Methotrexate and I'm supposed to have a root canal done on > Tuesday morning. Does anyone know if I'm supposed to quit taking the MTX > before I have the root canal done. I was thinking about having foot > surgery done at one time for a overlapping toe. My Reumy's PA told me > that I would have to go off the MTX for three weeks before the surgery > or my foot wouldn't heal properly. Would that apply to having dental > work done too? I asked the PA at the pain clinic yesterday but she said > she didn't know. My Reumy's office never answer the phone I would have > to leave a message and it's usually a day or two before they call me > back. Thanks a lot. > > Pam > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 2008 Report Share Posted June 11, 2008 Thanks for all the replies about taking the Methotrexate. My Reumy's office called me back Friday evening. But by then you had already answered my question. His nurse told me he said that I didn't have to quit taking the MTX before I had the root canal done. He said to tell me not to take a antibiotic while I was taking the MTX. I told her that I was taking a antibiotic about a month ago. She asked me if I was on a antibiotic now and I told her no. She said I'm not supposed to take MTX and a antibiotic at the same time. I did a search on " methotrexate and amoxicillin " , and this is one of the results. " The most serious drug-drug interaction is between amoxicillin and methotrexate. Amoxicillin and methotrexate compete for secretion into kidney tubules which decreases the renal clearance of methotrexate and can lead to toxic levels. If the two medications must both be used then the dose of methotrexate must be lowered accordingly. " I was sick for two weeks and couldn't understand what was wrong with me. Do you think this could be the cause of me being sick. My doctor thought it was a viral infection. I haven't been to the dentist in two years. I wasn't on MTX the last time I went to the dentist and they didn't ask me if I was on any new medications. I'm on 10 mg a week (4 pills). I put the root canal off until next Thursday since I needed to buy a tire for my truck. I don't usually have any problems with having a root canal done but I'm not looking forward to it either. Thanks. Pam > > > I take Methotrexate and I'm supposed to have a root canal done on > Tuesday morning. Does anyone know if I'm supposed to quit taking the MTX > before I have the root canal done. I was thinking about having foot > surgery done at one time for a overlapping toe. My Reumy's PA told me > that I would have to go off the MTX for three weeks before the surgery > or my foot wouldn't heal properly. Would that apply to having dental > work done too? I asked the PA at the pain clinic yesterday but she said > she didn't know. My Reumy's office never answer the phone I would have > to leave a message and it's usually a day or two before they call me > back. Thanks a lot. > > Pam > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Hi all, I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, a ----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Hi a: Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2 Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have. I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our group. Hugs, Barbara --- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...> wrote: > > Hi all, > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > a > ----- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 Barbara, thank you so much. I sure hope Im able to take pills, I have a real phobia about needles. Im going to try and take tonite before bed. Thanks again a [ ] Re: Methotrexate Hi a: Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2 Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have. I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our group. Hugs, Barbara > > Hi all, > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > a > ----- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 You're welcome a. I hate needles too, and knew I couldn't endure the pills and nausea any longer. My Rheumy taught me how to inject myself, and it is so much better doing this. The needle is very small, you don't feel it, and it doesn't bleed. I hope you will be successful with the MTX pills. I also hope you will be feeling so much better soon, and wishing you pain free days. Hugs, Barbara - -- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...> wrote: > > Barbara, thank you so much. I sure hope Im able to take pills, I have a real phobia about needles. Im going to try and take tonite before bed. Thanks again a > [ ] Re: Methotrexate > > > > Hi a: > > Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very > informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every > week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I > couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started > with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how > to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I > was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take > my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2 > Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have. > I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I > hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases > to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our > group. > > Hugs, > > Barbara > > > > > Hi all, > > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in > January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said > that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and > knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to > reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose > you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? > Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > > a > > ----- > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 4, 2008 Report Share Posted July 4, 2008 -Hi a: I've been taking methotrexate for a couple of years now. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I started with this drug, and although I had to stop it at one point about a year ago because my liver became toxic, I was able to resume after 4 mos. My doctor started me with 3, increased to 5 to 7 to 10. At 10 my blood work started coming back with elevated ast and alt levels. SO I changed rhemys and I am on 5 now, doing great. I take mine on Fri. evening...never had any side effects other than liver. I hope this helps you. My best to you! -- In , " Barbara " <bcreedon@...> wrote: > > > Hi a: > > Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very > informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every > week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I > couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started > with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how > to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I > was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take > my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2 > Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have. > I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I > hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases > to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our > group. > > Hugs, > > Barbara > > > > > Hi all, > > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in > January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said > that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and > knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to > reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose > you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? > Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > > a > > ----- > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Welcome a, I can't help with many questions but I can this one. I have been on mtx for over a year. I started off with 10 MG weekly. My rheummy told me to take it on Fridays because of the side effects. I take it around 8:30pm. It was increase up to 15 MG but my liver levels went up. Backed down to 12.5 MG then the 10 MG. I would get nausea every morning around 7am but I did not throw up. I never got over the fatigue and the RA is still active. This week she knocked it down to 5 MG and added Arava 20 MG daily. She dosen't think this will help but my insurance is a POS (point of service and it is a p_o_s_) and will not approve the more expeseive drugs unless I try 2 others drugs that did not worked first. She also wants me to apply for disability. I didn't see that coming yet. I thought that I would have to be in pretty much constant pain before she would suggest that. I am going to try to work until next May. I will have 35yrs in March and another bithday in May that will greatly add to my retirement and then I guess I start jumping the SSI hoops. I wish you luck with the mtx. Some people do have results with it. Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Thanks Lana, I appreciate your kind words. I am definitely planning to take this slow, because I am already on Pred and trying to get off of it. Everytime I reduce the Pred I become bedridden with the pain. I took the MTX last nite and so far this morning dont feel sick or anything, but also dont feel any less pain. Im sure this takes a while to kick in. Thanks again, a [ ] Re: Methotrexate -Hi a: I've been taking methotrexate for a couple of years now. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I started with this drug, and although I had to stop it at one point about a year ago because my liver became toxic, I was able to resume after 4 mos. My doctor started me with 3, increased to 5 to 7 to 10. At 10 my blood work started coming back with elevated ast and alt levels. SO I changed rhemys and I am on 5 now, doing great. I take mine on Fri. evening...never had any side effects other than liver. I hope this helps you. My best to you! -- In , " Barbara " <bcreedon@...> wrote: > > > Hi a: > > Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very > informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every > week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I > couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started > with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how > to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I > was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take > my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2 > Leucovorin pills. That helps with the slight case of nausea I have. > I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I > hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases > to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our > group. > > Hugs, > > Barbara > > > > > Hi all, > > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in > January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said > that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and > knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to > reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose > you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? > Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > > a > > ----- > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Thank you so much, Shirley. I took it last nite and dont feel sick yet, but I only took three pills instead of the four prescribed. I know I am a chicken about these drugs, but I have had so much pain trying to get off the pred. I havent heard of Arava, will have to research it. I cant take pain pills like Darvocet or Tramadol, they make me really sick. Thank you again for your kind words. a [ ] Re: Methotrexate Welcome a, I can't help with many questions but I can this one. I have been on mtx for over a year. I started off with 10 MG weekly. My rheummy told me to take it on Fridays because of the side effects. I take it around 8:30pm. It was increase up to 15 MG but my liver levels went up. Backed down to 12.5 MG then the 10 MG. I would get nausea every morning around 7am but I did not throw up. I never got over the fatigue and the RA is still active. This week she knocked it down to 5 MG and added Arava 20 MG daily. She dosen't think this will help but my insurance is a POS (point of service and it is a p_o_s_) and will not approve the more expeseive drugs unless I try 2 others drugs that did not worked first. She also wants me to apply for disability. I didn't see that coming yet. I thought that I would have to be in pretty much constant pain before she would suggest that. I am going to try to work until next May. I will have 35yrs in March and another bithday in May that will greatly add to my retirement and then I guess I start jumping the SSI hoops. I wish you luck with the mtx. Some people do have results with it. Shirley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Hi, sorry to be so late responding to you. I was dx'ed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica 4 years ago, had had symptoms for months before the dx. My rheumy wanted to get my pred down, and added a dx of " unspecified auto-immune disoder " , so I started MTX in Sep 2005. 20 mgs a week, pills, Fri. before bed, Leucovorin the next AM. I never had any stomach problems, and it helped so much! Had to get the blood work for liver function done regularly, and no alcohol, but again, I never had any of those problems. Then, last summer, I started having tremors in my right hand. A round of testing by a neurologist, and she determined the MTX was the problem. We tried reducing the dose, but that didn't help. I quit taking the MTX around the first of the year; the tremors have mostly gone away - but so has the relief. I also take Humira (have found that the injections really aren't a big deal), but can't get lower of the pred than 5 mg a day without the MTX. On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM, patandpaula <patandpaula@...> wrote: > Hi all, > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in > January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that > I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and > ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the > pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started > with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be > appreciated. Thank you, > a > ----- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 5, 2008 Report Share Posted July 5, 2008 Hi a I'm on methotrexate to and have been off and on over the last 8 years. I've been on this course for 2 years now. As I take sulphasalazine as well, I'm not on a high mtx dose - just 10 mg (4x 2.5mg pills). The usual starting dose I believe is 7.5 mg and they increase it slowly if necessary, up to a max of 25mg. My tip would be to take it on a Friday or Saturday night (as someone else who replies also does). That way you sleep through the worst of it (if you have any side-effects that is) and have the next day to rest up if necessary. I always feel sick for the first few weeks while my body gets used to it but then that disappears. I always eat something bland on Friday nights though - nothing spicy I often feel a bit tired the next day which I think is also fairly common. On a positive note, mtx has put two major flares into remission for me, so I am very grateful for it!! in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thank you . I took three pills Friday nite and so far no bad side effects. Thanks for your help a [ ] Re: Methotrexate Hi a I'm on methotrexate to and have been off and on over the last 8 years. I've been on this course for 2 years now. As I take sulphasalazine as well, I'm not on a high mtx dose - just 10 mg (4x 2.5mg pills). The usual starting dose I believe is 7.5 mg and they increase it slowly if necessary, up to a max of 25mg. My tip would be to take it on a Friday or Saturday night (as someone else who replies also does). That way you sleep through the worst of it (if you have any side-effects that is) and have the next day to rest up if necessary. I always feel sick for the first few weeks while my body gets used to it but then that disappears. I always eat something bland on Friday nights though - nothing spicy I often feel a bit tired the next day which I think is also fairly common. On a positive note, mtx has put two major flares into remission for me, so I am very grateful for it!! in NZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thanks . SOrry about your tremors; that is good to know about that side effect. I hope I can get off the pred somehow with this MTX before any side effects set in. I wonder if anyone ever gets totally off pred? thanks again, a Re: [ ] Re: Methotrexate Hi, sorry to be so late responding to you. I was dx'ed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica 4 years ago, had had symptoms for months before the dx. My rheumy wanted to get my pred down, and added a dx of " unspecified auto-immune disoder " , so I started MTX in Sep 2005. 20 mgs a week, pills, Fri. before bed, Leucovorin the next AM. I never had any stomach problems, and it helped so much! Had to get the blood work for liver function done regularly, and no alcohol, but again, I never had any of those problems. Then, last summer, I started having tremors in my right hand. A round of testing by a neurologist, and she determined the MTX was the problem. We tried reducing the dose, but that didn't help. I quit taking the MTX around the first of the year; the tremors have mostly gone away - but so has the relief. I also take Humira (have found that the injections really aren't a big deal), but can't get lower of the pred than 5 mg a day without the MTX. On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 3:49 PM, patandpaula <patandpaula@...> wrote: > Hi all, > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in > January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that > I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and > ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the > pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started > with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be > appreciated. Thank you, > a > ----- > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 I was diagnosed with RA in december and am now on mtx for several months. I started with 3 pills a week and was raised to 5. Originally my rheummy wanted to go up to 8, but I responded so well that he changed his mind. I was told that they up the dose to what is needed, then after symptoms are in check (if that happens!) they will often come down to the lowest dose needed to maintain the effect. We upped to 5 becasue clionical trials have indicated that is the lowest dose that will maintain the effect, my doc told me. I take it right before going to bed Sat night. At first I had a LOT of sleeping on Sun/mon morning but I have gradually outgrown that and usually don't have any side effects any more. I work retail but have an understanding with my boss not to schedule me on Sun or mon mornigs, just in case. Sometimes a dose will make me feel blechy just out of the blue, then the next dose i am fine. Most of the RA fatigue has left me and I have no morning stiffness, rarely any joint pain of any kind so it has been a real miracle drug for me. I am hoping it will cotinue to keep this in check for a long time! Good luck with your treatment and don't forget the folic acid! --- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...> wrote: > > Hi all, > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 --- In , " patandpaula " <patandpaula@...> wrote: > > Thanks Lana, I appreciate your kind words. I am definitely planning to take this slow, because I am already on Pred and trying to get off of it. Everytime I reduce the Pred I become bedridden with the pain. I took the MTX last nite and so far this morning dont feel sick or anything, but also dont feel any less pain. Im sure this takes a while to kick in. Thanks again, a Oh, another thing - it took a couple weeks for me to feel noticable relief, but really a couple months to REALLY feel the improvement. So, hang in there! Good that you seem to have tolerated the first dose pretty well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 I've only had mild relief from the MTX. I take 15 mg per week (6 tablets) and get really nauseated, tired and a nice headache from it. It was adding the Humira which really helped me to see some great improvement. I can walk without limping now! My doctor lowered my dosage down from 8 pills to 6 because of the fatigue. I also have to take 2 mg of Folic acid every day, or my hair starts falling out. Lori http://home.comcast.net/~queenstitcher/ http://stitchingqueen.multiply.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 I did. But then I took a low dose only for a few months. Then I learned about all of the terrible side effects, and weaned myself off of it. Sue On Sunday, July 6, 2008, at 08:46 AM, patandpaula wrote: > Thanks . SOrry about your tremors; that is good to know about > that side effect. I hope I can get off the pred somehow with this MTX > before any side effects set in. I wonder if anyone ever gets totally > off pred? thanks again, a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Hi again a Just to add, mtx takes several weeks to months to work, so you need to be patient Also, it is not a pain killer but works by helping to suppress the disease activity (inflammation) in your body. When the disease is successfully suppressed the pain is reduced. All the best, in NZ P.S: My last flare, the mtx took 4 months before it 'kicked in' but then it did so dramatically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Ok thanks . Having a really bad time with my hands and arms today; hope it kicks in quick for me. a [ ] Re: Methotrexate Hi again a Just to add, mtx takes several weeks to months to work, so you need to be patient Also, it is not a pain killer but works by helping to suppress the disease activity (inflammation) in your body. When the disease is successfully suppressed the pain is reduced. All the best, in NZ P.S: My last flare, the mtx took 4 months before it 'kicked in' but then it did so dramatically. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 6, 2008 Report Share Posted July 6, 2008 Thank you . I am hoping this helps, boy, my hands are killing me! thanks again a [ ] Re: Methotrexate I was diagnosed with RA in december and am now on mtx for several months. I started with 3 pills a week and was raised to 5. Originally my rheummy wanted to go up to 8, but I responded so well that he changed his mind. I was told that they up the dose to what is needed, then after symptoms are in check (if that happens!) they will often come down to the lowest dose needed to maintain the effect. We upped to 5 becasue clionical trials have indicated that is the lowest dose that will maintain the effect, my doc told me. I take it right before going to bed Sat night. At first I had a LOT of sleeping on Sun/mon morning but I have gradually outgrown that and usually don't have any side effects any more. I work retail but have an understanding with my boss not to schedule me on Sun or mon mornigs, just in case. Sometimes a dose will make me feel blechy just out of the blue, then the next dose i am fine. Most of the RA fatigue has left me and I have no morning stiffness, rarely any joint pain of any kind so it has been a real miracle drug for me. I am hoping it will cotinue to keep this in check for a long time! Good luck with your treatment and don't forget the folic acid! > > Hi all, > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > a Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 hi paula, i started on 4 mtx. now i'm on 7 pills every friday, & don't take folic acid if you're on it. HOPE IT WORKS 4 U!! god bless, melyndagamez 7/7/08 6:45p.m.central [ ] Re: Methotrexate Hi all,  I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you,       a  ----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 hi lanae, i just started to read the posts again. i have to ask a question, if u don't mind? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE FOR U TO NOTICE YOUR LIVER WAS BECOMING TOXIC BY TAKING THE MTX? i 2 take it 7 pills every friday. i hate it!! but u got back on it, r u o.k.? god bless,melyndagamez 7/7/08 6:55p.m.central [ ] Re: Methotrexate -Hi a: I've been taking methotrexate for a couple of years now. I was diagnosed with RA 2 years ago. I started with this drug, and although I had to stop it at one point about a year ago because my liver became toxic, I was able to resume after 4 mos. My doctor started me with 3, increased to 5 to 7 to 10. At 10 my blood work started coming back with elevated ast and alt levels. SO I changed rhemys and I am on 5 now, doing great. I take mine on Fri. evening...never had any side effects other than liver. I hope this helps you. My best to you! -- In , " Barbara " <bcreedon@...> wrote: > > > Hi a: > > Welcome to this wonderful group of caring, supportive, helpful, and very > informative people. I have had RA for 5 1/2 years, and take MTX every > week. I stated with the pills, but they gave me so much nausea I > couldn't take them. I have a bad stomach plus GERD. I then started > with injections, which solved my nausea problem. My Rheumy taught me how > to give myself the injection, and have been doing it all this time. I > was a wreck to do this, but I knew I needed this med. for my RA. I take > my shot, .8 on the needle, every Sun. night, and 12 hrs. later I take 2 > Leucovorin pills.  That helps with the slight case of nausea I have. > I take my MTX at night, before bedtime. This works very well for me. I > hope this info. helps you. Sorry to hear you have 2 autoimmune diseases > to deal with. Wishing you pain free days, and again, welcome to our > group. > > Hugs, > > Barbara > > > > > Hi all, > > I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in > January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said > that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and > knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to > reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose > you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? > Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, > > a > > ----- > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 7, 2008 Report Share Posted July 7, 2008 Melynda, did you mean to say do not take folic acid? Cause I have been doubling up on folic acid since I started the MTX. Is it helping you? Were you ever on pred? thanks paula [ ] Re: Methotrexate Hi all, I am new to the group. I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica in January and have been on Prednisone since then. Now my rheumy has said that I have Reumatoid Arthritis also because my hands and wrists and knee and ankle have been swelling and hurting so bad since I tried to reduce the pred. He wants me to take MTX. Could anyone tell me what dose you started with and what time of day it is best to take starting out? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you, a ----- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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