MTX question

March 9, 2005

Hi ,

Here's the deal. With the 2ml (50mg) preservative-free vials, you

can draw up your first batch, and immediately draw up a second

syringe that you then cap off and refrigerate for the next week. So

you should be able to get 2 full doses from each 2ml vial for

Aundrea. This what our rheumy recommended.

It is no problem to just throw the used vials into the trash.

For the needles, you can get a Sharpies hazardous medical waste

container, like the ones you see at the doctor and hospitals, and

dispose the needles in that container. When it is full, you need to

find a place that accepts haz. med. waste to dump it. Personally, I

just break off the end of the needle and wrap it in a wad of paper

towel and throw it in our trash compacter. There ain't nothin'

that's going to accidentally come in contact with that crushed

needle after it's been compacted with other trash all week. Each

city probably has their own way of handling this issue.

Stacia and Hunter 8 systemic, iritis

May 23, 2005

Hi,. It sounds like arthritis that is not being controlled

really well. Now that could be because he still needs the steroid and

the taper is not quite working or the MTX is not kicked in yet. Have you

talked with the dr about the fact he is having symptoms? The dr may want

you to hold off on any more tapering for now. Or the dr may want to try

another DMARD rather than the MTX, but I don't think the dr would change

that after only 12 weeks. I am curious about one thing - what med is he

chewing before bed? I have never heard of chewable MTX or steroid

(although it has been a few years since last took prednisone). If

a med is supposed to be swallowed, you should not chew it as that does

something to the absorption and thus the effectiveness of the drug. I

could be wrong - maybe there is chewable MTX, but if it is not, I would

try to get him swallow it, as he may not be getting all the medicine, or

try the injections. Many kids on the list use that and have great

results. I hope Joe is doing better soon, Michele ( 18, pauci &

spondy)

MTX question

Joe was started on Steriods and MTX on March 1st and now we are

tapering the steriod and the MTX 7.5 mg (for a 4 y/o) has been on

board for close to 12 weeks. He takes pills he chews before bed. The

last two weekends he has complained of his R knee and ankle hurting.

A week ago, he was better on Monday when I was going to take him to

the doctor. Bt that weekend he wanted to be carried and he did not

bear weight on his R knee Sunday morning and Sunday he said his

ankle hurt. By the afternoon both days he was back to running

around. Today, he was crabby this morning and laid around for a few

hours and we gave him ibuprofen. His Right knee seemed warm. Once he

got going he was better.

I don't know what to correlate this with the steriod are down to 7mg

last tapered 1mg two weeks ago. weather (alway changing in Iowa -

warm cold, rainy) or MTX being due and needing to kick in. Or being

4 y/o boy that is active

Thanks for listing-

This group has lots of insight- any advice/ suggestions are

appreciated?

- Joe 4 systemic JRA

May 24, 2005

Michele,

Thanks for the response. Joe is chewing the MTX tablet that would be ideal to

swallow whole. Injections is an idea or I think I have heard discussion

drinking the injection. (correct me if I am wrong.) Joe's steriod is being

taper 2.5 mg a month right now. The last two weekends have been the only times I

have seen him appear to limp around. Otherwise, he has had no obvious joint

concerns.

We meet with the rheumatologist the beginning of June, it will make a calendar

and discuss things.

Thanks for the advice

- Joe age 4, systemic JRA