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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/23/2011 7:51 PM (GMT 0)
Did my first ever Injection of MTX, all by myself...did the top of my left leg
where the muscle is, I let the alcohol dry first...Last week the nurse gave me instructions
and did the injection in my arm, but I can't do the arm one by myself, so I decided to do the
top of my left leg and it wasn't so bad, but my doc has me on a very low dose for now
.2 ...and he will up it slowly so if I should have a bad reaction...
I am on a B-12 supplement which has folic acid and I take a folic acid once a week and I'm
going to add a 1,000 mcg of biotin, as biotin supplement is for hair and so I'm hoping for low
hair loss with all that... yeah
wishing everyone a good week, wow surprised myself by being able to do an injection shocked
Posted 6/23/2011 8:52 PM (GMT 0)
You're a brave soul! I don't know if I could inject myself. I'm scared of needles.
Posted 6/24/2011 12:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Chartreux! I hope this works well for you. Great job on the shot issue. I am going to start taking MTX again next Friday. I only had one elevated liver enzyme and it wasn't that bad, so my rheumy is going to have me start it again at a reduced dose...three pills, instead of five. I am happy about that, because it was starting to work. What is the equivalent in pills of the amount you are injecting? I asked my rheumy about injections, but she said it was hard to find the injectible MTX. Is that true? Keeping my fingers crossed this works for you!

V
Posted 6/24/2011 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you couchtater/Joy...I'm always afraid of needles, but this give you some control...

Vannie, I don't use the pre filled syringes, those might be hard to find, but no the injectible solution
is not hard to find, I got mine from Kroger's here in the USA...but insurance did
not cover it, but it was only $11.00, the syringes are and extra 5.00/for 20 and the needles are small...
and I'm doing a low amount .20 for a month till my doctor up's it...sorry about the typo's had new eye
plugs put in my tear ducts...and he used bigger ones and he really pushed them in hard on my left eye..
(for the sjogren's) eye plugs keeps the eye moist, my eye we're very crusty, red and dry today..
he did 3 plugs as I still had one in...two upper and one lower
hope you do better on the 3 pills, your doc should've started you at a low dose to work up...wonder
about that doctor of yours...well wishes to you
Posted 6/24/2011 1:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi again, fellow MTX person! So sorry to hear you have that issue with your eyes. What are eye plugs and how do they work? My rheumy didn't prescribe folic acid, Chartreux. Should I call and ask about that?
Posted 6/24/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
No, for folic acid just go to a local health food store and you can buy it, Walgreen's has a buy one get one free, this week...
I would suggest biotin as that helps with hair...the lowest doseage of biotin is 1,000mcg...someone else here recommended biotin

Eye plug are put in the tear ducts and help give my eye's extra moisture which they need
to keep bacterias out...(the Sjogrens dry my eyes out very bad and dry eyes let in bacteria,
which for me would almost mean another eye surgery in 2006 I had 4 eye surgeries, which my
current eye doctor believes is linked to the sjogrens, dryness)...
Posted 6/25/2011 12:08 PM (GMT 0)
Geez, Chartreux, you have really been thru it, and yet you take the time to answer my questions about MTX and liver enzymes, and all that. You are a special person! Hope the MTX does the job for you. I start it again next Friday. When I was first on it, I dreaded it and was scared. Now that I know it brings some relief, I am anxious ot get started again. I think you are right about the dosage. I am going to start taking three pills a week, which I think should have been my starting dose. The five pills a week she started me out on were just too much to start with. Who knows why rheumys do what they do. LOL I do like her though. She is the first rheumy I have seen who takes me seriously and who cares. Peace, V
Posted 6/26/2011 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
The first couple of injections are the worst! After that...you'll be an old pro!

When I first started taking Enbrel, they came in these stupid kits, that had to be assembled! Tiny, little put-together parts of a syringe, and they know you have arthritis! I often thought they were doing it for spite...knowing how hard it was to put together with big, swollen fingers.

Good luck.
Posted 6/27/2011 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, De La Rosa, I'm a rookie yet...

Vannie, Thank You...will send well wishes to you for your MTX...maybe the 3 pills will be better for you to start on...
Posted 6/30/2011 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
well, I've been having stomach pain and black tarry stools, so I think my bleeding ulcer is back
so I checked on line and Zantac is okay to use so, back to taking Zantac, bummer...
I was so hoping this would not happen...
Posted 6/30/2011 1:01 AM (GMT 0)
So sorry! Can you take carafate (sp?) ?
Posted 6/30/2011 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Chartreux,

My friend had to stop MTX because of black tarry stools, but she was taking the MTX pills. I guess it might be one of your other meds irritating your stomach. So, so sorry! Hope it settles down soon. Be careful, Chartreux. Sending you you a virtual hug.
Posted 7/1/2011 2:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Vannie, I'm not feeling good this morning, and will try to get an appointment to see
my pcp for next Tuesday..will need some more Zantac...some stomach meds do interact
with MTX but Zantac does not...well wishes to you today on your new lower dose mtx...keep
us posted on that...
Posted 7/4/2011 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Chartreux,

I am really sorry you are having stomach issues. I can't take proton pump inhibitors like Prevacid...they make my throat swell shut. I do take Zantac...150 mg a day. On MTX day, I take on in the morning and one at night, and I don't take a Celebrex that day either. If I don't do this, acid comes up in my mouth and out my nose. Not pleasant! I sure hope you get some help for your stomach soon, sweetie. You are such a kind person. I hate to hear you are suffering.

Blessings,
V
Posted 7/6/2011 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
So tired, have a low grade fever, pcp took a strep test and had blood testing done to check liver and
kidneys...took about 4 vials of blood...sure hope to find out soon and he put me on protonics (sp?)
for now, for possible ulcer(s)...sure hope everyone else is doing good...well wishes
Posted 7/7/2011 12:44 AM (GMT 0)
((((((((((((((((((((gentle hug))))))))))))))))))))))

Sorry you're under the weather. Get well soon.
Posted 7/7/2011 11:17 AM (GMT 0)
Chartreux,

I hope you get some answers soon, and start feeling better. Praying for you, sweetie! Take care and let us know how you are doing.

V
Posted 7/12/2011 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Got put on an antibotic and it's helping along with the protonix...called RA doctor and
I'm to stop the once a week mtx (methotrexate) injections...and I got some sleep last night
finally...so I'm feeling a bit better, still have pain on my left side that goes around to the back,
but it's not as bad...it's my 25th Anniversary today...wow..
Thanks everyone...
Posted 7/14/2011 1:30 AM (GMT 0)
25 years ia a big anniversary! Congratulations to you and your husband, Chartreux. Hope you feel a lot better soon!
Posted 7/14/2011 12:10 PM (GMT 0)
I hope my doctor would never ask me to inject something by myself. I hate syringes and their needles, specially the long ones.

God bless us!
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