Re: Is anyone taking Methotrexate?

[Guest guest]

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

________________________________

From: Christa <loveyouhun@...>

Sent: Fri, October 9, 2009 3:19:54 PM

Subject: [ ] Is anyone taking Methotrexate?

Hi,

I'm new to the grouup.  My name is Christa Dondero and I went to the

Rheumatologist. First he put me on Pencillin but that upset my stomach and I had

to stop taking that.  I was put on Methotrexate with Folic Acid as well.  I'm

seem to being doing well with that one.  I'm concern about this medication.  It

can affect the immune system and I once had gotten sick (with a cold) and took

me 2 weeks to get over it.  I'm not in much favor of this medication. 

  I asked my Dr if I can cut down on the Methotrexate and he said it take 12-18

months to get in my system and not have inflammation and flares.  I feel fine

and I would like to cut down.  I'm taking 2.5 mg (6 of them) weekly. Is anyone

taking this medication and having side effect.  I'm having thin hair (it's run

in my family) and feeling tired after taking the medication.  I would like some

feedback.

                                                Christa

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Christa:  Welcome to our wonderful group.  I am 69, and have had RA for 6 1/2

years.  I have been on MTX since day one.  I inject my MTX 1x a week, as the

pills made me so sick to my stomach 24/7.  I take 2 Leucovorin pills 12 hours

after I inject my MTX.  Leucovorin is folic acid.

 

I have been in  a total medicine induced remission from all symptons of RA.

since last November.  It came as quite a surprise, and it feels truly

wonderful.  I have no pain or swelling anywhere.  It has been a miracle for me.

 

I have been sick with Bronchits for almost 2 weeks with a horrible cough.  I am

getting better, but slowly.  I have a wonderful PCP and Rheumy.  They take such

good care of me.

 

As far as hair, mine was baby fine to start with.  It is very fine, but I wear

it very, very short, and that helps.

 

I am one that does not concern myself with the side effects of all the meds. I

am on.  I just do what I have to do, to try and stay well and have a life.  Yes,

there are some things I can't do anymore, but that is alright, as I do things

other ways.  I have made concessions, so I can have a quality life while dealing

with my RA.  As everyone here knows, I just take one day at a time, as I can't

handle anymore than that.

 

The best day of my life was finding this wonderful group, of caring, loving,

friends.  And friends they are indeed.  They have been so supportive of me since

the day I joined.  I love each and everyone here.  It is an extrodinary feeling

to belong here.  You will find that out soon.

 

It was hard when I was first diagnosed as I had never heard of it before.  I

have finally come to accepting I have it, and just do the best I can each day. 

The hard part was for me to learn how to pace myself.  It took quite awhile to

do this, but it has simplyfied my life.  I had to teach friends and family what

I could do and what I can't do.  It was very hard at first for them to get it. 

 

My advice is to rest when you can, and don't ever feel guilty about it.  The

only people who know how damn tired we get, is everyone here with RA.  Period. 

No one else can.  I don't appoligize for napping or passing up lunch or movie

dates with my friends.  If I can't go, I can't go.  This was hard for me to do,

but I did it.

 

Again, welcome here.

 

Hugs,

 

Barbara

From: Melynda Gamez <melyndagamez@...>

Subject: Re: [ ] Is anyone taking Methotrexate?

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009, 12:20 AM

 

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

____________ _________ _________ __

From: Christa <loveyouhun (DOT) com>

@gro ups.com

Sent: Fri, October 9, 2009 3:19:54 PM

Subject: [ ] Is anyone taking Methotrexate?

Hi,

I'm new to the grouup.  My name is Christa Dondero and I went to the

Rheumatologist. First he put me on Pencillin but that upset my stomach and I had

to stop taking that.  I was put on Methotrexate with Folic Acid as well.  I'm

seem to being doing well with that one.  I'm concern about this medication.  It

can affect the immune system and I once had gotten sick (with a cold) and took

me 2 weeks to get over it.  I'm not in much favor of this medication. 

  I asked my Dr if I can cut down on the Methotrexate and he said it take 12-18

months to get in my system and not have inflammation and flares.  I feel fine

and I would like to cut down.  I'm taking 2.5 mg (6 of them) weekly. Is anyone

taking this medication and having side effect.  I'm having thin hair (it's run

in my family) and feeling tired after taking the medication.  I would like some

feedback.

                                                Christa

------------ --------- --------- ------

[Guest guest]

Hi Christa,

Welcome to the group[?] I was diagnosed with seronegative RA two and a half

years ago. I have a wonderful rheumatologist that prescribed methotrexate

and folic acid. It has been a miracle drug for me and has given me my life

back. Because I take folic acid daily, I have not experienced any

significant hair loss. The only side effect that I experience is some

fatigue and some digestive problems. But, the benefits for me far outweigh

the risks. There have also been several studies completed that show that

methotrexate is safe for long term use. I'm just thankful that my RA was

diagnosed early before too much damage was done to my joints. For people

that don't know my diagnosis, they would not know that I have RA. I go to

the gym three days a week for an hour....(I didn't do that before my

diagnosis!) So, life goes on and it can be good with RA. Don't let the

diagnosis take over your life.

As for how it affects the immune system... It is true that methotrexate

lowers your immunity, which is why it helps your RA. So, you just have to

focus on keeping your body as healthy as possible. I try to eat nutritious

meals, take a product called Juice Plus, exercise, and use lots of hand

sanitizer! I just took the flu and pneumonia vaccine, but am concerned

about H1N1....it seems to have already started in my area. RA patients are

advised not to use the mist, which is the only thing available right now.

So, I'm just trying to be extra cautious and pray that it stays away!

Have a good week!

-Jackie

On Fri, Oct 9, 2009 at 3:19 PM, Christa <loveyouhun@...> wrote:

>

>

> Hi,

> I'm new to the grouup. My name is Christa Dondero and I went to the

> Rheumatologist. First he put me on Pencillin but that upset my stomach and I

> had to stop taking that. I was put on Methotrexate with Folic Acid as well.

> I'm seem to being doing well with that one. I'm concern about this

> medication. It can affect the immune system and I once had gotten sick (with

> a cold) and took me 2 weeks to get over it. I'm not in much favor of this

> medication.

> I asked my Dr if I can cut down on the Methotrexate and he said it take

> 12-18 months to get in my system and not have inflammation and flares. I

> feel fine and I would like to cut down. I'm taking 2.5 mg (6 of them)

> weekly. Is anyone taking this medication and having side effect. I'm having

> thin hair (it's run in my family) and feeling tired after taking the

> medication. I would like some feedback.

>

> Christa

>

>

>