Re: Melynda/Christa/was Is anyone taking Methotrexate?

October 10, 2009

Hi Melynda & Christa, first Christa, mtx is indeed a rather horrible med.BUT

other than the biologics, it's the best out there. I've been on it since

1987. I sometimes have some of the side effects. But after being on it for

so long, they don't bother me. A word of advice - do not stop taking it

unless you and your doc have agreed. It's not like taking aspirin that you

can stop taking when the symptoms go away. It must stay in your system to do

what's it's designed to do and that is to get your RA in check & stop the

crippling effects. It's like taking high BP meds. You can't stop them just

b/c your bp was normal one day. I don't mean to sound crass (is that a word?

=) but RA is a disease you must be aggressive with in order to keep it under

control. So, please, please listen to your doc & the kind people here =))

Melynda, I was SO excited to read your post telling of how long you've had

JRA/RA! And not excited that you've got it, of course! But the length of

time & the age. I had symptoms very early on, major ones when I was 13 & dxd

at 16. I'm now 66. You are the first one in all these years that has known

that they had JRA. Waaaaaay back when I first had symptoms, they didn't have

a clue what JRA was. Specially where I lived - in a very rural town miles

away from the nearest city. Anyway, I'd love to hear more about your

experience over these years. Like you, I've taken every single thing out

there also =)) Hugs, Nae

Re: [ ] Is anyone taking Methotrexate?

HI CHRISTA,WELCOME 2 THE GROUP.I'M 39YRS.OF AGE & HAVE HAD JRA SINCE I WAS

5YRS.OLD.I'M TAKING MTX 7PILLS EVERY FRIDAY WITHOUT THE FOLIC ACID.MY

RHEUMMY SAYS IT'S BETTER TO TAKE W/O THE FOLIC ACID JUST ON THAT DAY.

IT SEEMS TO HELP ME BUT I'VE BEEN ON IT FOR AT LEAST A COUPLE OF YRS.U NAME

IT I'VE BEEN ON IT,NOW THAT'S SAD!!

YES IT DOES AFFECT UR IMMUNE SYST.HOWEVER,WHEN UR SICK WITH A COLD OR FEEL

LIKE UR COMING DOWN WITH SOMETHING,

" DON'T TAKE MTX " & CALL UR RHEUMMY.....

YES CHRISTA I DO LOOSE MY HAIR BUT I'M ON SO MANY MEDS.LIKE I MENTIONED

B4.SO IN REALITY I DON'T NO WHICH MED IT IS...

IF U HAVE ANY OTHER CONCERNS JUST E-MAIL ME TO THE RA GROUP?MY MOTTO: NO

QUESTIONS R 2 DUMB 2 ASK CUZ W/O ?'S

HOW CAN ANYBODY HELP US ESP; OUR DR'S....................

GOD BLESS,MELYNDA GAMEZ 11:20P.M.CDT

October 11, 2009

Melynda,

I will call my rhemmy tomorrow and see if I need to take more Folic Acid or

what. I'm feeling a little better today but still drowsy and coughing a

little.

I was diagnosis with JRA when I was young too. I remember the Dr drawing

blood but don't remember what the heck I took for it. It's hereditary. My Dad

had it when he was alive. My brother and I think my sisters have it too.

Well I heard Methotrexate can suppress your immune system. Yes it's working

for me and my Mom think I should get off it since I'm on too many medications

for several problem I have. I wish I could. The Dr said it take 12-18 month to

get the inflammation and flares down. I wonder if that is true. I also read

that you shouldn't drink Apple, Grapefruit, and Orange juice when you take the

medications. It's absorb the medication.

I always ask the Dr questions and tell him about things I learn either on the

Internet or on line at www.arthritis.org. That is the Arthritis Foundation and

they have good information about medications and what to do when you get flares

up etc.

I heard that Tai Chi is good to do and doesn't put much pressure on your

joint. I did get the DVD through the Arthritis Foundation.

\

Christa

October 12, 2009

christa,

so u do take mtx? what's the dose?they drew blood out of me to like u would not

believe.i was on so many meds back then as well.then my mom took me off 2,i

can't remember the names it was over 20yrs. ago.......i do remember they messed

up my isight & my heart......so my mom i think made the right choice!!i had a

friend a year younger than i,her mom continued her on the same meds that i was

taking & she had 2wear bi-focals & her heart failed her......amy died the year

of graduation,it was the hardest thing 4me 2c cuz we went through soo much

2gether & i was still LIVING..................

yes mtx affects your immune system,so it's not wise 2b around anybody who is

sick with a cold or anything else 4that matter..

in my opinion,i would not get off the mtx just like that cuz u will have a MAJOR

FLARE UP!!!!! i no it's hard cuz we take & take all these meds & we really don't

no which ones r really helping us.i take my mtx w/water....

if u don't mind me asking what other drugs ru on?i'm 39yrs.old how old ru?

well i HOPE i HELPED u out a lil...............

god bless,melynda

________________________________

From: Christa Dondero <loveyouhun@...>

Sent: Sun, October 11, 2009 3:01:43 PM

Subject: Re: [ ]Melynda/Christa/was Is anyone taking Methotrexate?