HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Starting MTX - need help choosing the right day

Support Forums
>
Rheumatoid Arthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 6/13/2007 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all, 

Went to the Rheumy today - starting MTX.  Will be working evenings this Sat Sun and Mon 3-11:30.  Then I will begin Fri and Sat night 7P - 7A for one year.

I have learned from all of you that it is easier to take @ night and hopefully sleep through the really crappy part, but how many days can I expect to feel bad?  What part of the week do you experience maximal effect? 

Any experience or advise would be appreciated.  Also currently on Prednisone 10mg, Mobic 15mg, folic acid and Ultram as needed.

Thank you so much for any advice.

 

Posted 6/13/2007 10:12 PM (GMT 0)
I have been on mtx for two weeks. i notice no side effects at all. I am in a little less pain though. I am building up the dose slowly. I take it with plaaquanill. i resisted it for 1.6 years however the pain has been so bad i just gave in to it. i keep forgetting the folic stuff. I must remember it.
Posted 6/14/2007 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
hi marzz and louie,
marzz each of us is different but for me i am maybe tired for a day? i would try and sleep off the mtx. take it when u know u can relax the next day? and louie i too keep forgettin that folic acid but they do say it is important and helps with the side effects.
what does are you both starting on? i wish you both luck and hope it works!
Posted 6/14/2007 2:56 AM (GMT 0)
thanks louis and yalinda,

Starting with 4 pills (10 mg). Plans to increase dose in a month to 8 pills. Also need to wean prednisone down to 5 mg over the next 6 weeks. At least this is the plan at the moment.
Posted 6/14/2007 3:42 AM (GMT 0)
iMarzz hi,

Does your Rheumy have you taked the pill or the shot?I know when I was on methotrexate I gave my self a shot I just flat our refussed to take the puill because my father was on methotrexate as well and he was started on the pill and there for about two day's after taking the pill form my dad would be sick from it.So when my Rheumy wanted to put me on it I told her that I would takw the shot if she would show me what I needed to do and the shot form did not make me sick.I will say this though it did make me tired for a few day's but that was it.
Posted 6/14/2007 11:46 AM (GMT 0)
I'm taking the pills and will see how it goes.

After reading your responses I figured why delay treatment the hopfully will help so I took the pills at bedtime. Didn't sleep well and had lots of weird dreams but I don't feel too bad - a mild headache and some nausea.

thanks everyone.
Posted 6/14/2007 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'm now up to six pills (2.5 mg each) and I had to go back on my plaquenil full dose, could not go off as my doctor has wanted me to so the MTX just doesn't do it for me alone as I had hoped. I think I am just one of those that needs a cocktail of meds in order to be pain free.

As someone suggested try sleeping it off, the majority do not have too many problems from the MTX, although my first two weeks were a nightmare, I have adjusted, and may go up a bit more in dose.

Good luck to you!
Posted 6/14/2007 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there,
Hope you are doing ok. I was glad to see your post, have been wondering how you have been doing....
I'm doing week 6 this Saturday (sounds a bit like those prilosec commercials on tv..,,"what day are you on)..
I started small, and my doc had me split the dose, half with breakfast, the other half with dinner. Just got up to a total of 6. My first week was a little rough with stomach, nausea, etc,for a couple of days. But each dose has gotten easier and easier to deal with, and last week, didn't notice any effects at all. The doc did tell me it would take 6-8 weeks to see benefits, but have already been able to stop Celebrex, and just take ibuprophen or tylenol if I need it. Never did get started on prednisone.
Let us know how you do!
Take care,
jody
Posted 6/15/2007 12:22 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone you make this so much easier - just having a place to go and be able to ask anything at anytime.

Mary
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply