MTX

[Guest guest]

Thought I would pass on my MTX experience with you. I've been on it

now for 16 months. When the doctor first prescribed it to me I was

really scared to take it so I filled the script and put it in the

kitchen cupboard where it sat for about 6 months. Right ? I

endured 6 months of constant, severe, RP flares and vasculitis

rather than take that medicine because I was afraid of all the side

effects that I had read about. With the encouragement of members in

this group, and when I could not stand it any longer and I started

to take the medication. I started with 5 pills rather than the 6 my

doctor told me to take. I continued to have flares till I finally

went to the 6 pills. To my surprise, I began to feel better, the

flare on my ear and the vasculitis began to subside. So too did the

redness, swelling and pain in the joints of my feet and knees. When

I think back on this now I realize what a mistake I made by not

starting the MTX when I was supposed to, I would have saved myself

so much grief. Since then I have never missed a week of it.

Believe it has literally saved my life.

Yes, I still get nausea and I am tired for several days after I take

it, but to me that seems like a small price to pay for what I had

been going through before I took it. There are even days when I

think about throwing it in the garbage can rather than feel so icky

for two days, but I know now if I don't take it I would probably be

real sick again with the RP and that's a chance I don't want to take.

It's possible that MTX won't work for everybody, but it worked for

me. I was able to decrease the pred down to 3 mgs. and have stayed

on that dose for the past year. Better yet, I have had no severe

flares in that length of time.

Didn't mean to make this so long, but thought it might ease some of

the worries of those who are just starting to take the medication.

If you experience severe side effects from the MTX be sure and let

your doctor know. Drink lots of water and try eating a high protein

diet the day after you take the medication. Things will get better

over time.

Love and hugs, Marilyn