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Methotrexate

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Rheumatoid Arthritis
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Posted 6/11/2012 10:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I'm posting this on behalf of my husband.
He's had arthritis for about 6 years now, he is currently in a flare up, he had an intermuscular steroid injection about 4 weeks ago, but it doesn't seem to of helped.
His consultant wants to start him on methotrexate in 3 weeks time, but he just wants to know a bit more about it (how do u get on with them, side effects, do they help?? etc)
Hope someone can help with his questions.

Thanks :-)
Posted 6/11/2012 3:15 PM (GMT 0)
Folic acid and plenty of it can help with most of the side effcts, but if
he gets very neaous then other meds can help counter thhaat, but he
should keephis doctor posted on any and all side effects. Make sure
he works with his doctor on this and should he not be able to
tolerate this there ar other medicins he can then try, but keep
in mind methotrexate cn help. Many well wishes and prayrs, hope
this medicine can help your husband. Keep us posted as we do care.
Posted 6/12/2012 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
The methotrexate (now 25mg) combined with plaquinel(400mg) and prednisone(5mg) has helped a decent amount. I started at 7.5mg of MTX, first two doses had me in bed for the weekend and a fog for the time in between. After that I was fine, no real side effects (make sure you eat a decent meal before taking it). I would get my dose upped each visit as it would help but then fade with time. After 8 weeks at 25mgs I am no longer chronicly exhausted from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed. It hasn't cause a remission by any stretch but it has made everything tolerable. Best wishes to your husband with taking the methotrexate.
Posted 6/13/2012 7:21 AM (GMT 0)
 

Hello and Welcome:

That's nice of you to do some research for your Hubby.  That certainly shows that you love him much.  :-)

The first time I used it, it did help along with the other drug.  I did experience the same side effects this time around such as nausea, fatigue, hair loss, ulcers on the left side of my tongue and muscle weakness.  Getting extra rest helps and taking the folic acid several hours before the Methotrexate does stop the nausea, for me anyways and food as mentioned. 

I presume you have a list of the side effects along with the list of side effects of other meds.  Keep it handy for him to compare what may be effecting him if it is from one specific drug.  He may  experience only minor side effects.  It is a good idea to try whatever meds are available to him to see which works best for him. 

I've had RA for 29 years as of next month.  I've had some Bad times indeed as others have but I'm still walking and complaining. smilewinkgrin  I hope that he is normally an upbeat type of Guy who loves to laugh.  That will help a lot in his journey with RA.  The best to you both.

 

Posted 6/13/2012 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
I take MTX and have for several years. Water, drink lots of water, if not the MTX will only make the joint pain seem worse. Also, sunscreen, if you go out in the sun, be prepared. When I was first on MTX, I developed a sunburn on the fronts of my legs while wearing pants. Other than that in the beginning if there is extreme fatigue, you can ask for a script of Leucovorin, this really, really, really helps counter act that drug out feeling. I took it for a short time because I had difficulty with fatigue, had a hard time even getting out of bed for a bit, I was so tired.
Posted 6/13/2012 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi i'm one of those people that has reactions to almost Every Drug they give me and i waited a long time before i finally agreed to try MTX and i was frankly Quite scared

and the first dose fulfilled my fears i was ill threw up all night long this continued and i just started to feel better and my next dose was due .  BUT i did Talk to my Rhumy and he Lowered the dose and added 5mg Every day of Folic Acid (Not taken on the Metheltrexate day) well this helped but Still Throwing up only not as long now So again i rang him so then he sugested to split the dose instead of taking one dose on monday i take half monday and half wednesday Bingo it Worked

i've Now been on it for about 2yrs now with No more Problems well Almost i am still Nauseous but only in the Mornings and i take Maxalon for that and it quickly settles

 MTX  has helped i had to stop it for a bout 2 weeks or so  and i really noticed the differance

So i guess im trying to say Don't Worry Keep in Contact with your Rhumy and if at first you don't succeed try another way.

 

Posted 6/13/2012 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
 

Oh yes Amz, Mom to 3 mentioned water.  I drink a lot of it also.

Incidently, I called my Rheumy this morning since he's back, about the ulcers on my tongue.  I used to only get one the other times on MTX and it would disappear in a week and not return for some time.  Unfortunately, this time there are more and they are not going away.  

My Rheumy said I can stop the MTX now since I only needed it for a while with this newer biologic that I am having infused.  It will be interesting to see if it makes a difference. 

Very sad to hear of your having had bad reactions to many medications BadDay.  Wondertful that you and your Rheumy figured something that works better for you with the Mtx. 

Posted 6/14/2012 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, first starting out on the MTX can really throw you for a loop, just like Bad day mentioned. My first several doses, I could hardly stay awake and felt almost as if I had the flu?! I felt horrid!! Now I try to take it at bedtime because it still makes me sleepy. I never really have reactions to meds, but the MTX was something else starting out!
Posted 6/15/2012 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
Ulcers on Tounge i Get that all the time would be interesting how many others do
Posted 6/15/2012 5:01 AM (GMT 0)
Ulcers on your tongue usually means you are not taking enough folic acid. I never had any GI trouble. I had horrible fatigue after the first two doses-I was going to pull myself off of the drug. Then I did some reading, found that lots of people need more than the 1 mg of folic acid that my doc originally prescribed. I upped my dose to 3 mgs a day on my own-saw my rhuemy 2 weeks later told her what I had done and that it completely stopped the side effects. She wrote a new script for the higher dose of folic acid and I have taken methotrexate and lots of folic acid ever since.
By the way-there is no reason for autoimmune people not to take folic acid on the methotrexate days.
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