/regarding methotrexate

[Guest guest]

,

I understand what you're saying about MTX and i realise that of all

the RA drugs, it's the most proven to be safe in the long term ... my

thoughts are that no drug is a good one. No drug helps your body

heal itself properly... it can only mask the symptoms. Drugs force

some chemical reaction which appropriates healing, and there's always

side effects that you don't want. The bottom line is that we know

it's not good, but we take it anyway because we want to live in

freedom without pain. If some people want to think it really is good,

because it cures them, then good luck to them. Who am i to make them

think otherwise ? Maybe it's not such a bad idea to put aside

labelling anything in life with the judgement " good " or " bad " . It can

only lead to confusion.

And some ppl even suspend their judgement because they know it's

possible to create one's own reality with the power of one's mind.

If you think it's bad, then IT IS ! etc ...

Leonie (I'm not an MD either)

>

> ,

>

> Methotrexate (MTX) is a good, good drug. Generally speaking, the

> benefits of using MTX to treat RA far outweigh the risks. Its

benefit

> to risk ratio is one of the best, and MTX is relatively inexpensive.

> MTX is the gold standard treatment for RA today.

>

> MTX was first used as a cancer therapy, but the doses given to those

> with RA are but a fraction of the amount given to cancer patients.

>

> For those with stomach issues, taking MTX by injection is usually

not

> problematic.

>

> The jury is still out on whether DMARDs, including MTX, increase the

> risk for lymphoma or it is the nature of the disease itself which

puts

> patients at higher risk. Very active disease is associated with the

> development of lymphoma.

>

> There are some members here who see rheumatologists who have RA.

> Perhaps they will read your message and offer what they know about

> their rheumatologists.

>

> Untreated or undertreated RA can lead to a shortened life span

> (perhaps as much as 7 to 10 years less than average), job loss,

> reduced quality of life, the need for joint replacements,

vasculitis,

> amyloidosis, lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and severe

> disability.

>

>

>

> Not an MD

>

>

>

> On Mon, Oct 13, 2008 at 10:48 AM, musiclvr3237 <musiclvr3237@...>

wrote:

> >

> > Hi Kathy,

> >

> > Methotrexate is a bad - bad - drug. A drug that 3 Rheumatologists

have

> > tried to put me on, and call me stubborn, but I would rather have

the

> > pain of RA than the side effects of methotrexate. I must admit, I

did

> > try it twice, but the stomach pain that it caused was not worth

it. My

> > body said no to it, and I agreed, and I am so glad I did.

> > I can not believe that any doctor would put a person on

methotrexate and

> > as an RA survivor, I would say STOP, find any alternative.

> > Methotrexate is a cancer drug. A Chemo Drug. It can cause liver

> > damage, lung damage, kidney damage. It can decrease the number of

blood

> > cells made by your bone marrow. I can damage your intenstines,

cause

> > stomach ulcers, cause severe rashes, and increase the risk of

lymphoma.

> > You said your stomach feels like someone is stabbing you. Listen

to

> > YOUR BODY. Not your Doctor.

> > My doctor(s) have not liked me much. I have had severe RA for 17+

years

> > and I am still here, and have been under a doctor's care for less

than 5

> > of those years because I have refused to take many, if not most

of the

> > drugs prescribed.

> > I have my own beliefs when it comes to RA and in no way want to

force my

> > opinion on any of you, but I feel your pain on a daily basis and

want

> > you all to know that doctors aren't always right. I would love to

find

> > a Rheumatologist who has RA and would actually ingest the drugs

they

> > prescribe on a daily basis. Until that time, I am going to listen

to MY

> > BODY.

>

> > Thank you for your time,

>

> >

>