methotrexate injections

[Guest guest]

Hi all

This is Kathy from Michigan

I was diagnosed with seronegative RA in August. I was on Methotrexate by

pill form till last week, which I started giving my own injections.

What my question is, that I feel worse every week. More stiffness,

weakness, and fatigue.

Does that mean my MTX is not working?

thanks so much for your input

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Welcome to the group, so sorry for the need though.

My guess is that either your rheummy is giving the MTX a little

longer, the dosage may still need to be adjusted or you may need

another medication added or to replace the MTX.

Someone else may have different thoughts on this, that's one of the

good things about the group.

Each drug that I have tried, my rheummy has given it a minimum of 4

months. Be sure to let your doctor know just how bad your symptoms

are and be sure that he is listening.

Shirley

>

>

> Hi all

>

> This is Kathy from Michigan

>

> I was diagnosed with seronegative RA in August. I was on

Methotrexate by

> pill form till last week, which I started giving my own injections.

>

> What my question is, that I feel worse every week. More stiffness,

> weakness, and fatigue.

>

> Does that mean my MTX is not working?

>

> thanks so much for your input

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy - I started on MTX injections last week as well. Currently my

Rheumy has me on 10mg Prednisone every morning too, so aside from some

additional fatigue - which I suspect will go away in time - I know the

injections are supposed to be more effective than the pills. Perhaps

you should contact your Rheumy - maybe you need a dose

adjustment?..........Doreen

--- In , " k_stepnitz " <stepnitzcandles@...>

wrote:

>

>

> Hi all

>

> This is Kathy from Michigan

>

> I was diagnosed with seronegative RA in August. I was on

> Methotrexate by pill form till last week, which I started giving my

> own injections.

>

> What my question is, that I feel worse every week. More stiffness,

> weakness, and fatigue.

>

> Does that mean my MTX is not working?

>

> thanks so much for your input

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathy:

I too, take the MTX in injection form.

What other meds. are you taking for your RA?

Wishing you better days ahead.

Hugs,

Barbara

--- In , " k_stepnitz " <stepnitzcandles@...>

wrote:

>

>

> Hi all

>

> This is Kathy from Michigan

>

> I was diagnosed with seronegative RA in August. I was on Methotrexate

by

> pill form till last week, which I started giving my own injections.

>

> What my question is, that I feel worse every week. More stiffness,

> weakness, and fatigue.

>

> Does that mean my MTX is not working?

>

> thanks so much for your input

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kathy and group;

 

I never heard of it making it worse unless you are having a flare..  My advise

is to let your doctor know.   I am sure there are a lot here who knows.  Welcome

to our humble group.  We are a caring group.  God bless and take care.

 

gentle hugs

CLora

 

From: k_stepnitz <stepnitzcandles@...>

Subject: [ ] methotrexate injections

Date: Monday, November 3, 2008, 6:18 PM

Hi all

This is Kathy from Michigan

I was diagnosed with seronegative RA in August. I was on Methotrexate by

pill form till last week, which I started giving my own injections.

What my question is, that I feel worse every week. More stiffness,

weakness, and fatigue.

Does that mean my MTX is not working?

thanks so much for your input

[Guest guest]

I have tried other meds, like Naporxen (other name) kills my tummy

and Tramadol, (does not work alot)

Kathy

Mi

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Did you say how much MTX you're injecting? I take 17.5 mg/wk subcutaneously

plus a Humira injection every other week. They don't give Humira (biological)

until they increase and double-check the effectiveness of MTX. I took MTX,

Azulfidine and Plaquenil for 10 years with great success -- no pain, no

symptoms. The MTX had to be increased gradually, until I was on the maximum

dose (25 mg/wk). After awhile it became ineffective, so that's why Humira was

added.

Question your dr about the dosage. It's a very good drug and one of the

first that they use to " modify " the disease and its damage. That's the key: get

it under control so that minimal joint damage takes place.

Good luck.

Joy

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Barbara. That's encouraging information.

What dosage do you take? Do you take folic acid as well?

Have you had any hair loss or thinning? I've colored my hair with highlights

for years, which I think tends to weaken the hair a bit, so I'm concerned about

being able to continue the color processing while on MTX.

Seven years seems like a long time. I had been expecting that once my immune

system calmed down from the drug and my RA symptoms eased up I would no longer

need to take it.

Jan

On Mar 4, 2011, at 5:38 PM, Barbara Creedon wrote:

> Hi Jan and Heidi.

>

> In the beginning I took the MTX pills and they made me so sick, plus 24 hour

nausea. After several weeks, I could not take it anymore. My Rheumy suggested

I inject my MTX and it would be easier on me. I was a wreck thinking about

injecting myself, but she showed me how to do it, and it is almost 7 years of

doing it myself each week. No more sickness or nausea. The injections have

worked well for me.

>

> I wish you success with the MTX injections. Much easier on our systems and

stomach.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

[Guest guest]

Jan, Heidi: I started on the oral methotrexate several months ago - low dose.

Had a little nausea at first but got over it. A few months ago, the NP at the

rheumie's office suggested I do injections because she said it was more

effective. Did injections for about 4 wks. and started having stomach pain all

the time. Went back to oral and no more stomach pain. I thought it was kind of

strange that I would not have stomach problems from the oral form (since it goes

right to the stomach). Yes, I am " self medicating " at this point but I don't

need a bad stomach on top of RA problems.

>

> I finally got in to see a rheumatologist yesterday and she wants me to start

on methotrexate. I've had RA symptoms for the past several months (came on very

suddenly one day, practically overnight). She advised that side effects from

the injections would be less than from oral administration, and also more

effective. Additionally, she recommended taking it with the B vitamin, folic

acid, to help lessen side effects.

>

[Guest guest]

Jan,

I've been permanently coloring my hair for 37 years now, I've been on

mtx pills for 11 years now, my hair has been thinning on top and I am

upset about it but I do not want to go off the mtx in favor of a

biologic to control the RA, I tried remicade before for a year and it

didn't agree with me. I expect/hope to be on mtx for the rest of my

life.

in PA

Sent from my iPod

On Mar 5, 2011, at 9:19 AM, Jan <jmas@...> wrote:

> Thank you, Barbara. That's encouraging information.

>

> What dosage do you take? Do you take folic acid as well?

>

> Have you had any hair loss or thinning? I've colored my hair with

> highlights for years, which I think tends to weaken the hair a bit,

> so I'm concerned about being able to continue the color processing

> while on MTX.

>

> Seven years seems like a long time. I had been expecting that once

> my immune system calmed down from the drug and my RA symptoms eased

> up I would no longer need to take it.

>

> Jan

>

> On Mar 4, 2011, at 5:38 PM, Barbara Creedon wrote:

>

> > Hi Jan and Heidi.

> >

> > In the beginning I took the MTX pills and they made me so sick,

> plus 24 hour nausea. After several weeks, I could not take it

> anymore. My Rheumy suggested I inject my MTX and it would be easier

> on me. I was a wreck thinking about injecting myself, but she showed

> me how to do it, and it is almost 7 years of doing it myself each

> week. No more sickness or nausea. The injections have worked well

> for me.

> >

> > I wish you success with the MTX injections. Much easier on our

> systems and stomach.

> >

> > Hugs,

> >

> > Barbara

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan.

 

I take .80  MTX in my needle.  I have been at this same does for quite

awhile.  I take 1 Leucovorin pill  { folic acid } 24 hours after I inject my

MTX.

 

I have baby fine hair, and yes, it has gotten a lot thinner.  I was always

blonde, and I did frost my hair lighter for many, many years.  I wear my hair

cut very, very short as this is the only way my hair looks good. 

UGH...........My hair in front and on the sides is silver right now.  The back

has never changed at all.  I keep waiting for it to do so.  When the silver

came in my hairdresser thought the silver looked wonderful, so I gave up my

blonde hair.  My hair is very fragile also.  I am fearful of going bald.  I

pray I do not.

 

In the beginning with RA, I did not know how long it would take for me to feel

better. I tell you, I was mighty sick of being sick and in so much pain and

suffering.  Some days I could not get out of bed or stand on these painful feet

of mine.  I just wanted to scream at the top of my lungs until I could not

scream anymore.  I moved from Cape Cod to Florida because my Dr. told me I

would really feel good here.  He was certainly right about that.  I am just

starting my 7th year here.  For almost 2 years now, I have been in a medicine

induced RA remission.  It is hard to believe I am pain free etc.  I did have

more issues with my feet, being diagnosed with Neuropathy.  My foot surgeon has

me taking B12 vitamin, and my Rheumy has me on Lyrica.  I never thought I would

see the day that my feet did not hurt anymore.  Between the B12 and the Lyrica,

my feet feel normal and I have no pain or anything else in my feet.  I did have

tingling and

numbness in them before the Lyrica.  I have a wonderful Rheumy and she takes

such good care of me.  I see her every 2-3 months, and a blood test before each

visit.  She goes over everything with me each time I see her.  She never

rushes me, and takes her time with me.  She always goes over the blood work

too.  My liver levels have always been perfect.  I am happy about that.

 

I hope my information helps you.  I wish you good luck if you decide to inject

your MTX.  It is a very good medicine for our RA.  I know I will be on all the

RA medicine I take for the rest of my life.  Prednisone so agrees with me.  I

try periodically to get off it but so far, I have been unsuccessful.  I will

try again soon.

 

Please take care of yourself, rest as much as you can and don;t feel guilty if

you do.  Our bodies work hard 24/7 fighting our RA.

 

I wish you many pain free days ahead.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Jan <jmas@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Methotrexate injections

Date: Saturday, March 5, 2011, 9:19 AM

 

Thank you, Barbara. That's encouraging information.

What dosage do you take? Do you take folic acid as well?

Have you had any hair loss or thinning? I've colored my hair with highlights for

years, which I think tends to weaken the hair a bit, so I'm concerned about

being able to continue the color processing while on MTX.

Seven years seems like a long time. I had been expecting that once my immune

system calmed down from the drug and my RA symptoms eased up I would no longer

need to take it.

Jan

On Mar 4, 2011, at 5:38 PM, Barbara Creedon wrote:

> Hi Jan and Heidi.

>

> In the beginning I took the MTX pills and they made me so sick, plus 24 hour

nausea. After several weeks, I could not take it anymore. My Rheumy suggested I

inject my MTX and it would be easier on me. I was a wreck thinking about

injecting myself, but she showed me how to do it, and it is almost 7 years of

doing it myself each week. No more sickness or nausea. The injections have

worked well for me.

>

> I wish you success with the MTX injections. Much easier on our systems and

stomach.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Barbara

[Guest guest]

What my old PA told me was that the MTX pills and the injectable are not the

same thing and that many people take both and that each has a specific purpose.

That may account for the differences that people note about each.

 

Thought I'd throw that in there-

 

in SC

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure exactly what your old PA told you, but whether one takes

methotrexate orally or by injection, the active ingredient -

methotrexate - is the same in both formulations.

http://www.bedfordlabs.com/products/inserts/MTX-LYO-P00.pdf

http://www.rheumatrex.info/pdf/RheumatrexPackageInsert.pdf

http://www.drugs.com/monograph/methotrexate.html

It would be unusual, perhaps even risky (because of the possibility of

dosing errors/overdose), for a person with RA to take both

formulations simultaneously.

Many people in our group have reported that taking MTX by injection

has resulted in fewer side effects. Some studies have also shown MTX

by injection to be more effective.

Not an MD

On Sun, Mar 6, 2011 at 1:55 PM, phyllis crubaugh

<phylliscrubaugh@...> wrote:

> What my old PA told me was that the MTX pills and the injectable are not the

same thing and that many people take both and that each has a specific purpose.

That may account for the differences that people note about each.

>

> Thought I'd throw that in there-

>

> in SC

[Guest guest]

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I guess she's my " old " PA for a reason.

Heheeh.

 

in SC

[Guest guest]

,

Ok, this is probably a dumb question, but I'm going to ask anyway. I picked up

my Methotrexate along with 30 syringes. The instructions say to inject 0.8 MLS

subcutaneously once week. I have a 250 mg bottle of Methotrexate and not sure

how to administer this. I've only used pre-filled syringes in the past

(Cimzia). The syringe itself goes up to 1.0ml , so I'm assuming I fill up to .8

ml of the syringe. How and where do you inject? My pharmacist wasn't much

help.

Thanks,

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: mbdomby <mbdomby@...>

Sent: Sat, March 5, 2011 7:21:27 AM

Subject: [ ] Re: Methotrexate injections

Jan, Heidi: I started on the oral methotrexate several months ago - low dose.

Had a little nausea at first but got over it. A few months ago, the NP at the

rheumie's office suggested I do injections because she said it was more

effective. Did injections for about 4 wks. and started having stomach pain all

the time. Went back to oral and no more stomach pain. I thought it was kind of

strange that I would not have stomach problems from the oral form (since it goes

right to the stomach). Yes, I am " self medicating " at this point but I don't

need a bad stomach on top of RA problems.

[Guest guest]

Jan,

My side effects from Methotrexate have been pretty severe. I have GI upset for

at least three days after taking my 20mg dose each week. I take at night on a

full stomach and sleep through most of the nausea. However, fatigue is a huge

problem. I'm always tired, no matter how much I sleep. I've experienced hair

loss, but thank god I have a lot of hair and it hasn't been noticeable to

anybody but me. Unfortunately, it hasn't worked well enough to keep me in

remission. I still have morning stiffness for at least 4-6 hours and am in pain

the majority of the time. If I have a good day and do anything physical, I pay

for it the next day. My weekly grocery shopping (about 1.5 hrs of walking wears

me out). I've grown nodules on my elbow and have some sort of growth on my

index finger. Prednisone did help, but made me feel crazy. I couldn't tolerate

it. I have severe night sweats that wreak havoc on my sleep, as I get very

little. I did try Cimzia for little while, but it did very little for me. I'm

not quite sure what to try at this point. Good Luck!

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: Jan <jmas@...>

Sent: Fri, March 4, 2011 12:59:32 PM

Subject: [ ] Methotrexate injections

I finally got in to see a rheumatologist yesterday and she wants me to start on

methotrexate. I've had RA symptoms for the past several months (came on very

suddenly one day, practically overnight). She advised that side effects from

the injections would be less than from oral administration, and also more

effective. Additionally, she recommended taking it with the B vitamin, folic

acid, to help lessen side effects.

Heidi, what side effects did you experience? I'm still trying to decide what

to do. I tend to agree with Ros when she said that the cause or trigger of

autoimmune disorders seems to be a " stealth bacteria. " (I had a tooth abscess

back in 2009, at which time I started to have symptoms of Sjogren's, and now

RA.) So I'm thinking that taking minocycline might be the better way to go.

It's all so confusing.

Jan

[Guest guest]

yes, you fill it to .08 on the syringe. I inject Sunday evenings every week,

and I do it in my stomach, alternating sides.

~~

On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 8:14 AM, Heidi Kimball <hkimball48@...> wrote:

>

>

> ,

>

> Ok, this is probably a dumb question, but I'm going to ask anyway. I picked

> up

> my Methotrexate along with 30 syringes. The instructions say to inject 0.8

> MLS

> subcutaneously once week. I have a 250 mg bottle of Methotrexate and not

> sure

> how to administer this. I've only used pre-filled syringes in the past

> (Cimzia). The syringe itself goes up to 1.0ml , so I'm assuming I fill up

> to .8

> ml of the syringe. How and where do you inject? My pharmacist wasn't much

> help.

>

> Thanks,

>

> Heidi in Denver

[Guest guest]

Girl, don't sit there thinking about it too long or you will just freak

yourself out more. I did that at first too and then once I did a couple of

doses I was like what was I so freaked out about this really isn't that bad.

lol

Ok, you asked about my dog bite.lol The first thing you have to understand

about my household is that we are affectionately know as the Brand Family

Zoo. My daughter that's 12 has 2 ferrets, my son who is 10 has an iguana, my

husband has a dog that is 3 years old that's a white boxer/pit mix, then my

baby girl (dog) we have had for 17 years is a basset/shar pei mix.

I guess it's been almost 4 weeks now since the melt down occurred. My older

girl dog we were getting ready to have put down due to bad back hips,poor

eye sight and hearing problems. I just hadn't been able to bring myself to

do it emotionally or financially. One night my old girl was walking down the

hallway on her way to the den and the best I can figure is that my other dog

came down the hall behind her and she didn't know it and got spooked and

started growling at the bigger dog. The big dog in turned jumped her and the

fight was on. We got them apart but my old girl was badly hurt. When I tried

to reach down to try and help her onto her feet she was still stunned and in

pain so she snapped at me. I managed to pull back but she managed to graze

the tops of my fingers on my left hand with her teeth. One of her teeth

managed to make a cut just to the side of my middle knuckle on my middle

finger. I immediately treated my hand with peroxide and neosporine and

bandaged it. The cut was a bit deep but I wasn't convinced it needed

stitches so I wrapped it and went back to worrying about my baby girl. This

happened around 9 pm on a Thursday. I spent the night sleeping beside her on

the floor to help sooth her and to help her readjust when need be as she

couldn't move herself. By morning we knew we couldn't let her suffer with

the pain of an injury like that even if she could recover so I had to take

her and have her put to sleep. By the time I finished with the vet my doctor

had left for the day because he is only open till noon on Fridays. Then on

Sunday my hand was so swollen and starting to become infected that I went to

the ER. They gave me a mega shot of penicillin and tetanus and a script for

antibiotics and to follow up with my doctor if it didn't get better. They

didn't bother doing anything to my wound other than mash on it and take a

sample of the discharge. They did absolutely nothing but cause me more pain

and I was pissed. Well, I called my rhuemy on Monday and explained and was

told to stop both my Arava and my Embrel and that until I got it totally

cleared up there was nothing they would give me for the RA. ( By now I'm

thinking oh great let's see how high my pain threshold can get lol) I made

an appointment with my pcp and 2 days later he ex-rayed it to check things

inside the joint because the swelling by this time makes it feel like it is

dislocated. The drainage is worse also so he gives me a different shot of

antibiotic and a new script for 875 mg of amoxiciline 2x a day and an

antibiotic ointment. He tells me to keep soaking it and to make sure that at

least 2x a day after soaking it I smash on it as hard as I can till nothing

comes out of the cut ( oh great more pain). It has now been 12 days since

the visit and I thought it was healing and I would be able to restart my RA

meds that I have been without for almost a month now. My whole body is

screaming at me in a flared state right now but I just keep taking the Aleve

and my Hydrocodone and pray all will get back to normal soon. I finished the

scripted 3 days ago and once I stopped taking the antibiotics my finger is

swelling again and becoming discolored and I still can't bend it totally.

At this point I'm not sure how much of the swelling is due to me flaring or

from infection. I go back to my pcp tomorrow and see what he thinks. I'm

about ready to cry uncle and have him prescribe some prednisone just to stop

the flares and try and figure out if that may be what's happening with my

finger. right now half of my fingers on both hands won't bend so it's hard

to tell what is really causing the swelling in that one finger.

I will let ya know what he says and say a prayer for me that this will all

end soon before I lose what little mind I had before all this started. lol

Zoo Keeper

Jeanette Brand in Houston,TX LOL

[Guest guest]

I take mine Sunday evenings, because I need to feel my best during the week,

to get my kids to school. Weekends I can just stay home if I feel crappy,

which I usually do the couple of days before my injection...

~ in SLC~

On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 10:36 AM, tcroteau32 <tcroteau@...> wrote:

>

>

> > I was told when I talked to my Rheumy last week to let her know the

> terrible experience that I was having with the Sulfasalazene, that when I

> come in Friday she is going to explain and put me on Methotrexate. I am

> curious Heidi if you do it Thurs. because that is a week out from your first

> injections (maybe first injection was at Dr.?) or if there is a reason that

> Thurs. is best for you. i have read a few things about when to take it. When

> do you all take it and why is that the day you do it?

>

> Theresa

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks for letting me know that. I think my spouse and I are actually going to

ask her about pill vs. injection Friday. She said it would be pill over the

phone, but from what I am reading here and from the horrible GI/Fatigue/mouth

and throat ulcers I got from the Sulfasalazene, I am wondering if injection

might decrease the GI issue. I will also ask her about taking it at night, as

that seems wise. So, does that mean I will feel bad a few days each week, or

does that not happen to most people? I hope your is working out weel for you

Heidi and that you feel only peace when you inject Thurs.

Theresa

[Guest guest]

Hi Theresa.

 

I have no issues with my MTX injections.  Nothing like I had with the pills. 

I take  2 Prilosec each day for GERD.  The shots never make me sick etc.  I

have no bad days from any of my RA meds.  My RA meds are working perfect for

me, and I have been in a medicine induced remisson now for 2 years.  I do not

feel like I have RA at all.  I truly never thought I would see the day.  My

Rheumy is wonderful, and finally I have a RX for Lyrica which has taken all the

neuropathy pain away from my feet.  That was the last thing I needed pain

relief for.  I thank God for my " cocktail " of meds. that are working so well

for me.

 

I think you will find the injections will work well for you and no more stomach

issues.

 

Good luck.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Theresa Croteau <tcroteau@...>

Subject: [ ] Re: Methotrexate injections

Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011, 1:59 PM

 

Thanks for letting me know that. I think my spouse and I are actually going to

ask her about pill vs. injection Friday. She said it would be pill over the

phone, but from what I am reading here and from the horrible GI/Fatigue/mouth

and throat ulcers I got from the Sulfasalazene, I am wondering if injection

might decrease the GI issue. I will also ask her about taking it at night, as

that seems wise. So, does that mean I will feel bad a few days each week, or

does that not happen to most people? I hope your is working out weel for you

Heidi and that you feel only peace when you inject Thurs.

Theresa

[Guest guest]

Wow, your life sounds just like mine at home; a zoo, for sure. I like having

animals around me, they are very good listeners. I have one little girl that is

a Schipperke and she is so intuitive, she always knows when I hurt the most. I

feel for you having to put your girl down. I had a beautiful Dalmatian for

almost 14 yrs and I held on to her a lot longer than I should have. I couldn't

bring myself to let her go, even though I knew it was past time. It's amazing

what bonds I've had with my animals over the years, sometimes, more than humans.

Sorry, to hear about your finger and not being able to take your meds. I hope

it heals quickly and you can get some relief soon. I am such a chicken when it

comes to needles, my daughter watched the video and read the directions posted

here by members and she will inject tomorrow night. She's my angel. A big

thanks to all who offered advise and instructions, I really appreciate it.

Heidi in Denver

________________________________

From: Jeanette <nettbrand@...>

Sent: Tue, March 8, 2011 11:21:50 AM

Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Methotrexate injections

Girl, don't sit there thinking about it too long or you will just freak

yourself out more. I did that at first too and then once I did a couple of

doses I was like what was I so freaked out about this really isn't that bad.

lol

Ok, you asked about my dog bite.lol The first thing you have to understand

about my household is that we are affectionately know as the Brand Family

Zoo. My daughter that's 12 has 2 ferrets, my son who is 10 has an iguana, my

husband has a dog that is 3 years old that's a white boxer/pit mix, then my

baby girl (dog) we have had for 17 years is a basset/shar pei mix.

I guess it's been almost 4 weeks now since the melt down occurred. My older

girl dog we were getting ready to have put down due to bad back hips,poor

eye sight and hearing problems. I just hadn't been able to bring myself to

do it emotionally or financially. One night my old girl was walking down the

hallway on her way to the den and the best I can figure is that my other dog

came down the hall behind her and she didn't know it and got spooked and

started growling at the bigger dog. The big dog in turned jumped her and the

fight was on. We got them apart but my old girl was badly hurt. When I tried

to reach down to try and help her onto her feet she was still stunned and in

pain so she snapped at me. I managed to pull back but she managed to graze

the tops of my fingers on my left hand with her teeth. One of her teeth

managed to make a cut just to the side of my middle knuckle on my middle

finger. I immediately treated my hand with peroxide and neosporine and

bandaged it. The cut was a bit deep but I wasn't convinced it needed

stitches so I wrapped it and went back to worrying about my baby girl. This

happened around 9 pm on a Thursday. I spent the night sleeping beside her on

the floor to help sooth her and to help her readjust when need be as she

couldn't move herself. By morning we knew we couldn't let her suffer with

the pain of an injury like that even if she could recover so I had to take

her and have her put to sleep. By the time I finished with the vet my doctor

had left for the day because he is only open till noon on Fridays. Then on

Sunday my hand was so swollen and starting to become infected that I went to

the ER. They gave me a mega shot of penicillin and tetanus and a script for

antibiotics and to follow up with my doctor if it didn't get better. They

didn't bother doing anything to my wound other than mash on it and take a

sample of the discharge. They did absolutely nothing but cause me more pain

and I was pissed. Well, I called my rhuemy on Monday and explained and was

told to stop both my Arava and my Embrel and that until I got it totally

cleared up there was nothing they would give me for the RA. ( By now I'm

thinking oh great let's see how high my pain threshold can get lol) I made

an appointment with my pcp and 2 days later he ex-rayed it to check things

inside the joint because the swelling by this time makes it feel like it is

dislocated. The drainage is worse also so he gives me a different shot of

antibiotic and a new script for 875 mg of amoxiciline 2x a day and an

antibiotic ointment. He tells me to keep soaking it and to make sure that at

least 2x a day after soaking it I smash on it as hard as I can till nothing

comes out of the cut ( oh great more pain). It has now been 12 days since

the visit and I thought it was healing and I would be able to restart my RA

meds that I have been without for almost a month now. My whole body is

screaming at me in a flared state right now but I just keep taking the Aleve

and my Hydrocodone and pray all will get back to normal soon. I finished the

scripted 3 days ago and once I stopped taking the antibiotics my finger is

swelling again and becoming discolored and I still can't bend it totally.

At this point I'm not sure how much of the swelling is due to me flaring or

from infection. I go back to my pcp tomorrow and see what he thinks. I'm

about ready to cry uncle and have him prescribe some prednisone just to stop

the flares and try and figure out if that may be what's happening with my

finger. right now half of my fingers on both hands won't bend so it's hard

to tell what is really causing the swelling in that one finger.

I will let ya know what he says and say a prayer for me that this will all

end soon before I lose what little mind I had before all this started. lol

Zoo Keeper

Jeanette Brand in Houston,TX LOL

[Guest guest]

Jan, my first RA med was MTX, and the side effects did sound very

scary. I was more afraid of what RA could do to me, however. I was

also in so much pain that I mustered up my courage and started the

drug. The thing is, if the side effects are too bad, your rheumy can

stop it and switch you to something else. They have to list every

single possible effect that anybody has had after taking the drug.

That doesn't mean that you'll get any of these side effects. So give

it a shot. (pun intended, LOL)

Sue

On Mar 10, 2011, at 3:55 PM, Jan wrote:

> , that's interesting. So you can really notice a difference

> in the way you feel soon after taking the injection? I would have

> thought it would be just the opposite - that you would feel worse

> immediately afterwards due to possible side effects.

>

> How long were you taking MTX before you noticed this difference

> before and after the injections?

>

> I haven't started mine yet. Still trying to work up the courage -

> not in giving myself the shots, but in overcoming the fear of side

> effects of the drug.