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It's methotrexate time for me-:)

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 2/22/2012 8:08 PM (GMT 0)
So, I am not doing that well on plaquenil and when they take me down on prednisone, I am not doing well. My doc is bringing me in on Friday to talk about methotrexate. Somebody, please tell me they've done well on this drug! I am ragged out just from the prednisone. I've had a cold for 3 weeks. I also think my colitis might be flaring again too, so this is tough. I need something positive. Is there anybody on here with IBD and arthritis whose taken mtx?

Also, should I fill out FMLA forms b/c I have a chronic illness (well, actually, a few)? My boss has been harassing me about taking time off for Drs. appts.

Posted 2/22/2012 10:54 PM (GMT 0)
Jeanneac, I always remember having my knees so swollen I couldn't put my jeans on, I was shuffling around trying to walk, within weeks of going on mtx my swelling was way down. I think mtx really controls swelling. I hate it if I have to go off it for any reason.

But remember to drink lots of water when you take it, that whole day just keep up the fluids otherwise you can get a headache. I also had to increase my dose of mtx slowly as starting out at 20mg I felt really ill. so my dr started me again at 5 then after a few weeks increased it slowly until I reached my 20mg target. I have no side effects from it now but it is a heavy duty med and follow your pharmacists advice plus you need regular blood tests with it to check out how your liver is coping. Having said all that, I love this med, it really helps me.

Hope it works for you, best wishes, golitho

Posted 2/23/2012 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, I did well on the combo of MTX and Plaq! When I first started out on the MTX I didn't feel so well, it took some getting used to, but it does help.  Drink lots of water, lots!! If you find it zaps your energy, to the point you have difficulty getting out of bed, ask for a script of Leucovorin.  This is sometimes taken in conjunction with the MTX and can lessen the side effects until your body gets used the medication.
Posted 2/23/2012 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have RA myself, but my best friend does. She's been on Methotrexate for a few years now; she seems to do well on it.

:-)
Posted 2/29/2012 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
I've done very well with the combo of Methotrexate, Plaquenil and Folic Acid for about 4 years now. Recently, I had to add Enbrel to the mix but I attribute most of my "feeling better" to the Methotrexate over the years - that's becuase I often forget to take the Plaq and Folic Acid! - that's what happens when you start to feel better. Sending vibes for you to feel better soon!!!! :-)
Posted 3/1/2012 12:52 AM (GMT 0)
well, since I had some symptoms of IBD, the rheumy doesn't want to do anything too drastic since I have a colonoscopy coming up. Ugh! It was just one incident and things got better. Still, if you have bleeding, you have to get it looked into. Grrrrrrr............I love this roller coaster!!! NOT.
Posted 3/1/2012 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
In My experience Jeannac, everything always comes at once! If I get sick, I flare, if I get over tired I flare, if I exercise too much I flare... and the list goes on.

Drives us all batty.

Although sometimes I seem to sail through it all quite calmly and serenely.

Goodluck with your intestinal issues, but it makes sense to me if they are inflammed then you've probably got RA inflamming too or as well.

Thoughts are with you, its never easy. Just keep looking at the good things in life to keep your spirits up. Sun reflecting off water seems to make me happy when I'm feeling a bit down.

Best wishes, golitho

Posted 3/2/2012 12:58 AM (GMT 0)
I love the sun on the water too!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks golitho.... Yea, life's been crazy lately, very stressful and my health has gone down the tubes.
Posted 3/2/2012 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hope you can get on the methotrexate soon as it might help you...always good if a medicine can be of help....
due to my eye problems (Sjogren's) I can't watch the sun on the water anymore as its too bright, but it did always look nice,
what I like more than that is seeing rainbows after a good rain...so for me it's rainbows....they are beautiful, see
the world's not totally messed up....
Posted 3/2/2012 12:05 PM (GMT 0)
I took methotrexate for several years, with no harmful affects. The only drug that helped with my arthritis was prednisone, which made me so ill that I couldn't take it. I had diabetes and extremely high blood pressure with prednisone, the worst times were during tapering. I swelled horribly, also. My face was so swollen that most people did not even recognize me. I had no side-effects with methotrexate, though. I can't say I felt any better while taking it. I also have IBD, ulcerative colitis, and the only time I have been on prednisone is for severe bouts of uc bleeding that could not be controlled and were life-threatening.
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