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Methotrexate question

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Posted 10/16/2010 9:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I am currently taking humira and sulfasalazine. My doctor says that if the sulfasalazine doesn't work, my next step is methotexate with the humira. I am a little scared of this durg. Can everyone out there that is taking it, please could you post your experiences with this. Good or bad. Thanks
Posted 10/17/2010 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
There is an old thread-Starting methotrexate and I 'm scared-that follows about four of us as we started this med. I was one of them-scared to death to take the stuff. Had one week of bad reactions, then no side effects ever again. I started taking extra folic acid when I had the side effects and that took care of them completely. When I told my rhuemy a month later that I had increased my folic acid she said it was a good idea and wrote a script at the higher dose-I still take 3 mgs per day.
Posted 10/17/2010 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
I forgot to add, after 6 weeks on MTX I was able to completly wean off prednisone. I tried to cut down to 5 mgs prior to starting the mtx and was to sick and in too much pain. My rhuemy said my response to MTX was quicker than most peoples.
Posted 10/17/2010 9:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your responce. I will search for the thread
Posted 10/18/2010 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
mtx took at least 2 months to kick in with the prednisone. I'm completely off of prednisone now and the MTX is doing a good job. I have never had tummy troubles from it but drink lots of water and eat a big meal before taking my weekly dose. All the best to you.
Posted 10/22/2010 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
anyone here have RA as a child?
Posted 1/22/2011 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
I also did not have any major side effects but I think it was due to me missunderstanding the doctor when he told me to start taking the meth with the folic acid I started the folic acid 2 weeks before I started the Meth, ( oops oh my bad) I just felt a lil run down, and I agree with wearyRAsufferer I take mine with the biggest meal of the day and plently of water, and I have been on the meth for about 7 months so far so good, I have taken other things that have given me worse side effects so this is a walk in the park, good luck to you!

Kat
Posted 1/26/2011 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
I don't think you have anything to worry about, as long as you take enough folic acid daily to offset the MTX side effects. I was on 1mg folic acid/daily when I started taking MTX weekly, and had terrible side effects until I found this forum, wrote about it here, and learned that more folic acid would help immensely with the MTX side effects. After getting the OK from my rheumy, I went up to 4mg/daily of folic acid (kinda overkill-2mgs/daily works fine for me now) and my regular weekly MTX dose. I still had some side effects (mainly being very tired and feeling weak for a couple days), but I rested alot, drank tons of water, and got through them just fine. After a while, I quit having any noticeable side effects at all. That's been my experience, so I hope it helps. Try not to worry ; )
Posted 1/26/2011 4:09 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you, you all made me feel better about taking this.
Posted 1/28/2011 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
I take folic acid for 2 days after my injections of humira and methotrexate and been on those now for about a year with no problems apart from the humira injection stinging lol. But no big deal at all. Good luck
Doreen
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