Re: Methotrexate, how long does it take?

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Typically, you can feel results with MTX around 6 weeks. Some feel it

earlier than that. When do you see the rheumatologist again? I'd definitely

let

him/her know that after 12 weeks, your daughter is not showing any

improvements. Perhaps a biologic can be added, or another medication can be

added.

Poor thing. I hate to see anyone so young hurt. Best of luck and keep us

posted, OK?

Heidi in very windy Mass.

_

In a message dated 2/12/2009 9:26:28 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

alley5@... writes:

For those that have had success with methotrexate, how long did it take

before you saw any improvement? My daughter, 13yo, has been taking this for

12 weeks (she takes seven pills, 17.5mcg, and she is just under 100lb) and

so far has had absolutely no improvements or changes at all. I'm thinking

maybe it is time to discontinue and try something else. Thank you for any

feedback.

Sharon

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy

Awards. AOL Music takes you there.

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[Guest guest]

Hi...

My Rhematologist told me it to six to eight weeks to fully metabolize the drug,

I felt effects after three to four weeks. She should be feeling some

improvement, but I'm certainly not a doctor. I have been taking it since late

August 2008 and I am finally beginning to feel the full effect of improvement.

We've have increased the does just about every six weeks. I would also think she

would be feeling some of the side effects like a bit a fatigue but I haven't got

a clue how a 13 year old would react. That's my experience with it. Hope it's

helpful.

Stan,

Seattle, Cloudy.

[ ] Methotrexate, how long does it take?

For those that have had success with methotrexate, how long did it take

before you saw any improvement? My daughter, 13yo, has been taking this for

12 weeks (she takes seven pills, 17.5mcg, and she is just under 100lb) and

so far has had absolutely no improvements or changes at all. I'm thinking

maybe it is time to discontinue and try something else. Thank you for any

feedback.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

We just saw the rheumatologist recently and he suggested taking 8 pills

although he also said, " I have a feeling we just aren't going to see results

with this, in her case. " I'm beginning to suspect from many things that

were said that he is really just doing this for insurance purposes to get to

try Enbrel (which I am far from excited about). apparently you have to have

tried something and had it fail before you can even get Enbrel (or so the

people at Enbrel have informed me), if not for that I have the feeling he

would've just given up on the methotrexate at this point -that is the

impression I've gotten. I didn't want her to stop if there was still a

chance it might work, though.

Thanks for the input, Stan and Heidi. your comments are further confirming

my feelings on this.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Morning Sharon,

That is exactly what your Dr. is doing. He's got to submit what he's tried

on your daughter before any biologic will be approved. They are very

expensive. I am on Enbrel and together with the mtx there is a great

improvement.

I had muscle stiffness the first injection, then a headache, and now no side

effects at all after I inject. I know that the side effects are scary, but

Enbrel really works. Your daughter will also need to do a TB test before she

can take it.

I know that this is a lot to take in, but the results with the 2 together,

should be positive! RA has to be treated aggressively in order to stop the

progression. I hope that everything works out well, and again, please keep us

posted. Hugs to you and your daughter!

Heidi in Mass.

(still very windy!)

_

In a message dated 2/13/2009 6:48:14 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

alley5@... writes:

We just saw the rheumatologist recently and he suggested taking 8 pills

although he also said, " I have a feeling we just aren't going to see results

with this, in her case. " I'm beginning to suspect from many things that

were said that he is really just doing this for insurance purposes to get to

try Enbrel (which I am far from excited about). apparently you have to have

tried something and had it fail before you can even get Enbrel (or so the

people at Enbrel have informed me), if not for that I have the feeling he

would've just given up on the methotrexate at this point -that is the

impression I've gotten. I didn't want her to stop if there was still a

chance it might work, though.

Thanks for the input, Stan and Heidi. your comments are further confirming

my feelings on this.

Sharon

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

**************The year's hottest artists on the red carpet at the Grammy

Awards. AOL Music takes you there.

(http://music.aol.com/grammys?ncid=emlcntusmusi00000004)

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon:

I have been taking MTX for almost 6 years. In the beginning my Rheumy

had to increase the dose until I felt some relief. I also couldn't take

the pills as they made me too sick to my stomach 24 hrs. a day. I now

take the needle with the max dose, plus she added Placquenil, and

Azulfasalazine. This combo really works well for me, and have taken

this combo. for 4 years. I also take 10 mg. of Prednisone a day. My

flares are longer apart, and shorter in duration.

I hope this info. helps you for your daughter. I do find the MTX shot

lasts about 5 days, and then I become very tired, and need to rest more.

I am so thankful that these meds. are working for me. It does take each

person time to find the right meds. and right combination that works for

them

Wishing you both pain free days ahead.

Hugs,

Barbara

>

>

>

> Hi...

>

>

>

> My Rhematologist told me it to six to eight weeks to fully metabolize

the drug, I felt effects after three to four weeks. She should be

feeling some improvement, but I'm certainly not a doctor. I have been

taking it since late August 2008 and I am finally beginning to feel the

full effect of improvement. We've have increased the does just about

every six weeks. I would also think she would be feeling some of the

side effects like a bit a fatigue but I haven't got a clue how a 13 year

old would react. That's my experience with it. Hope it's helpful.

>

>

>

> Stan,

>

> Seattle, Cloudy.

>

>

>

>

>

> [ ] Methotrexate, how long does it take?

>

>

>

>

>

>

> For those that have had success with methotrexate, how long did it

take

> before you saw any improvement? My daughter, 13yo, has been taking

this for

> 12 weeks (she takes seven pills, 17.5mcg, and she is just under 100lb)

and

> so far has had absolutely no improvements or changes at all. I'm

thinking

> maybe it is time to discontinue and try something else. Thank you for

any

> feedback.

>

> Sharon

>

>

[Guest guest]

What you are saying is very true, the insurance companies have a very strict

protocol before they approve the next step in treatment because it's so

expensive. Physicians are very aware of that and know if they do not follow all

the steps the insurance company will not pay for it. In my case they won't even

pay for x-rays or scans if they think it is too soon. My heart is all a glow

when I think about the fact that it's actually an insurance adjuster who is

determining my next step in treatment.

Stan,

Seattle, Hazy.

RE: [ ] Methotrexate, how long does it take?

We just saw the rheumatologist recently and he suggested taking 8 pills

although he also said, " I have a feeling we just aren't going to see results

with this, in her case. " I'm beginning to suspect from many things that

were said that he is really just doing this for insurance purposes to get to

try Enbrel (which I am far from excited about). apparently you have to have

tried something and had it fail before you can even get Enbrel (or so the

people at Enbrel have informed me), if not for that I have the feeling he

would've just given up on the methotrexate at this point -that is the

impression I've gotten. I didn't want her to stop if there was still a

chance it might work, though.

Thanks for the input, Stan and Heidi. your comments are further confirming

my feelings on this.

Sharon

[Guest guest]

Ain't that the truth, Stan!!! And the worst part of it is the

insurance adjusters do NOT have any kind of a medical degree. Go

figure!!!.....Doreen :|

What you are saying is very true, the insurance companies have a very

strict protocol before they approve the next step in treatment because

it's so expensive. Physicians are very aware of that and know if they

do not follow all the steps the insurance company will not pay for it.

In my case they won't even pay for x-rays or scans if they think it is

too soon. My heart is all a glow when I think about the fact that it's

actually an insurance adjuster who is determining my next step in

treatment.

Stan,