Guest guest Posted August 25, 2003 Report Share Posted August 25, 2003 Hi Keri, How have you been feeling taking the combo of meds you are presently on? Do you feel that your present combo of meds are helping you fight the " dragon " on a daily basis? If so, please don't feel stressed. I know easy for me to say. Try to not even think about your body " possibly " rejecting the mtx. *If,* and when that might happen, you will find that there will be another med that will work. Are you satisfied with your doctor? Do you trust him/her? If so, put it in their hands so to speak, and know that if you ever do need a different med. they will know what to put you on. I would have to say that as far as one's body " rejecting " the Methotrexate, depends on the person. Some have real problems with their body accepting *any* meds. (like myself) where others can take just about anything for years and years with no real problems. I took the pill form of mtx for about a year, and then the side effects got to be too overwhelming, so then was switched to the injections which I was on for almost a year (off & on) until finally my body said " no way " to that too. For myself though, I was put on many different NSAIDS over the years along with the steroids. Folks who are diagnosed sooner nowadays are started on the more aggresive meds such as mtx and the Biologics. This is good to hopefully prevent joint damage, and to get the Stills under control and into a remission as soon as possible. As far as the steroids go...our bodies make different steroids on a dailly basis anyway, and I wonder if that isn't why they are usually more tolerable If you don't feel any bothersome side effects from the low dose of Prednisone that you are currently taking, and your doctor says it's okay, why not relax and stay on it.4 mg. is a very low dose. I have been on 8 mg. of Medrol, which is like 10 mg. of Prednisone since 1979. I have gotten down to as low as 2 mg. But, then I have more problems with the chest inflammation. (Costochondritis) As far as side effects....I don't seem to be bothered by anything that I can t live with. Good to hear from you Keri! Your Wisconsin friend, tricia ***************************************************************************** ****************** -- MTX Questions Hi everyone- Just a couple ?'s about MTX. Has everyone pretty much started off on MTX? Besides Prednisone. I guess what I mean is, is MTX the stepping stone before IV meds? Everyone that has switched off MTX to another drug, had your body basically rejected MTX ? how long were you taking MTX?? It just seems that everyone I've talked to about MTX, their body has rejected it right around the 2 year mark. Has anyone gone longer then 2 years? I am getting nerves, I've been taking MTX (pill form) for a little over 2 years. Everything seems to be going fine. Well,as fine as it can be, I guess. But my body doesn't seem to be rejecting it yet. I am starting to stress out that it is going to soon. Does our bodys reject all of the other forms of medication, i.e. Remicade, etc.., after long periods of taking them? Prednisone doesn't though, right?? And why would that be?? I am on 4mg prednisone and I am just itching to get off it. I know that I have very minimal side effects on 4mg, but I just hate prednisone. And every time I try to go down to 3mg, I get pericardis (??spelling, inflammation around the heart) I do like to breath w/o pain so I will stay on 4mg as long as I have too. Anyway I appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks and I hope that all are feeling good. My thoughts and prayers are always with my Stilligan family. Love & Support, Keri In CA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2008 Report Share Posted December 31, 2008 I hope everyone has a wonderful New Year! I started the MTX 3 weeks ago tomorrow. And the folic acid. What is the purpose of the folic acid, anyway? I don't know if the MTX is working yet. The P is still there and itching like crazy. I feel like I have somewhat invisible chicken pox! The pain in my bones is still there. I go to the rheumy Friday for bloodwork to see if it is helping, I think. Tami in Kansas City Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Sherry, I take 1 mg of folic acid daily and 6 2.5 mg tabs of MTX every week. I see the doc again tomorrow, so I guess he may increase it then. Thank you for the information! Tami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Jo: you should check it out on the web before deciding not to take it any longer. Folic acid helps reduce the potential for liver damage from MTX, i.e. reduces the toxicity of the drug; it aids in preventing the stomach from reacting to the drug; and it also helps prevent heart problems because patients who take MTX without folic acid see reductions in plasma hymocysteine in the blood. Joanna Hoelscher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 MTX depletes folic acid in your body pills restore what is lost. Ralphe > I'm not sure what the folic acid does I think its supposed to help > with side effects. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2009 Report Share Posted January 1, 2009 Oh I'm not stopping taking it no way. It works great for me. Jolene -- Re: [ ] MTX questions Jo: you should check it out on the web before deciding not to take it any longer. Folic acid helps reduce the potential for liver damage from MTX, ie. reduces the toxicity of the drug; .... Joanna Hoelscher Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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