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Posted 10/3/2013 5:17 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I have been reading the forum and have gotten some valuable information.  I am 52 and female.  I was diagnosed with Ra in May of this year and with type 2 diabetes four years ago.  I am controlling my diabetes without medication....yay....thru eating a good diet.  I do a low card, high fat diet and it works for me.  I started having stiffness and pain in my hands and arms in April.  He diagnosed me with vascular inflammation and some sort of autoimmune disease.  He referred me to a rheumatologist and after a couple of blood tests, I was diagnosed with RA.  I was prescribed prednisone by my pcp, which I had to stop taking due to my diabetes...not a good mix.  The rheumatologist prescribed me plaquenil, which I have been taking since late June.  After my last visit, 6 weeks ago, I have taken a blood test to make sure that I do not have Hep B or C, both were negative.  Next week the rheumatologist will be prescribing me Methodextrate.  I am very nervous about taking it, because of the side effects and what it will do to my immune system. 

Couple of questions:

1.  What can I do to keep my immune system healthy while taking mtx?

2.  How long after I take a dose will I begin to feel side effects?

3.  Should I take the mtx on a weekend so I have time to recover before going to work on Monday?

Any information will be very helpful. 

Thanks in advance for your support. turn

Posted 10/3/2013 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
Get some vitamins like centrum silver, or have your dr. prescribe some for you. I couldn't take methodrexate & my side affects showed 45-60mins. after I took it. I would take mine Fri. & would puke at least twice an hour every hour & broke out with a rash on my chest. I stayed sick 6 days & the 7th it was time to take it again. Good luck I hear it does a lot of good for people who can tolerate it & along with other meds. some have better good days then bad ones, I hope it works for you that way.
Posted 10/3/2013 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the information. I will begin taking the vitamins and keep my fingers crossed that I don't have to bad of a reaction to the medication.

I'll keep the forum updated.
Posted 10/5/2013 1:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Bluesky13, we have similar situations. I was diagnosed with RA 18 months ago when I was 52 and 3 years before that with Type II Diabetes although I am taking meds for the diabetes. I am now on a biological called ORENCIA (abatacept), by infusion every 4 weeks, Methotrexate + Prednislone. I am trying to taper off the prednislone and am at 5mgs now. It played havoc with my diabetes too but when I try to come off it I get bad flareups. I found the methotrexate very hard on my stomach when I started it. Extreme nausea and the runs as well as feeling even more wiped out than usual. The effects started about 4 hours after I took methotrexate. I lost a good bit of hair too. Both problems did improve a lot with time and when I started taking folic acid which is very important. My hair stays on my head now for the most part. I now take methotrexate in the evening so that the worst of the effects happen when I am asleep which has helped enormously. Your idea of taking it as the weekend is a good one. I have not had any more infections than normal since I started on this type of medication. Hang on in there it could be a bumpy ride but most people seem to be able to acclimatise given time. Neenaa
Posted 10/7/2013 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Neena.  I also am dealing with vascular inflammation, which I think is causing me to have low blood pressure.  It was 105/63 yesterday, blood sugar was 105.  This was a few hours after eating breakfast.  I go to see my RA dr tomorrow.....will let her know about the bp issue.  I don't think it is normal, but we shall see what she says.  I also started using a nicotine patch to help me quit smoking...maybe a combination of that with the vascular inflammation is causing the problem.  I will update tomorrow after my appointment.  tongue
Posted 10/9/2013 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody....hope you are all having a great day....:) I went to see my doctor yesterday and I will begin taking mtx this Friday. 4 pills weekly. She also precribed folic acid which I have already begun taking. I am no longer taking plaquenil. I go back in December after taking another blood test in late November. I will update on Monday and let you know how my first dose went. Thanks again to all of you for the information and support.
Posted 10/9/2013 7:01 PM (GMT 0)
I have a cast-iron stomach, so the mtx hasn't affected me too badly, other than being really tired. My rheumy had me break up my dose; I take half on Friday night with dinner and the other half Saturday morning with breakfast.

I read a suggestion on the RA Warrior site - she said a chemo nurse told her that green olives help with nausea. Also, my mom was on chemo and the cancer center told her to drink cold water if she felt nauseated. Apparently cold water causes the stomach to contract which makes it less likely that you'll vomit.

Good luck.
Carole
Posted 10/15/2013 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
turn  Good morning all,

I took my first dose of mtx on Friday night and did not experience any side effects....yay.  The only thing I did notice was that for the last two nights I have not been able to sleep very well.  I got 2.5 hours of sleep last night and about 5 the night before.  Is this a side effect of the medication?  Other than the lack of sleep, I feel ok.  Second dose this Friday...hopefully it will be the same. 

I hope everyone has a great day....... yeah

Posted 10/15/2013 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm glad to hear you didn't have any side effects. I remember taking the first dose, and it was scary. I don't really have problems sleeping unless I'm in pain, but mtx affects everyone differently of course.

Good luck with it all and thanks for checking in. I was wondering how you were doing this weekend.
Posted 10/15/2013 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Carole.  I will keep the forum updated on my progress. tongue
Posted 10/15/2013 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
By the way, as far as keeping the immune system healthy, I take Vitamin C every day. I also take calcium and I'm thinking about taking L-Lysine. I'll ask my rheumy what she thinks when I see her next week.

I buy the "gummy" vitamins. It's easier to remember them because they're like candy. Mmm. :-)
Posted 10/15/2013 4:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Carole.  I like the gummy vitamins too....they are very yummy.... smurf
Posted 10/22/2013 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Bluesky13,

One option you have with the methotrexate is that it is offered in the form of injections if it proves too hard on your stomach.  I took the pill form for many years but was not absorbing enough of it to make a difference.  When I switched to the injectables, it made a huge difference.  No more stomach issues, plus I absorb 100% if it is injected, whereas the average person (I think) only absorbs about 70% through the digestive tract.

I was scared to take methotrexate as well, but it was the best decision I ever made.

Elcamino

Posted 10/22/2013 3:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all.....Well, I made it thru my second dose of mtx with no side effects.  Makes me wonder if it is working.  I don't feel any different yet, but it is too soon to tell.  I will keep you updated on my progress.

Have a great day. tongue

Posted 1/15/2014 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

It's been awhile since I was last on....so here is the latest.

Have officially been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. Presented in my fingernails - pitting.
I am now taking Enbrel injections - once a week. So far, so good.
Have multiple cysts in my right hand. New rheumy (old one retired and closed his practice) said this not unusual and the the Enbrel should provide some relief.

Hope everyone is doing well.
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