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Methotrexate?

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 5/18/2010 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone:
I am slowly running out of meds to try before I have to get my colon removed. I am seriously considering starting Methotrexate.  I am very concerned about hair loss, among other things. I am curious about others response to it ... if it worked / how long it took / adverse reactions / hair loss?

Thank you.  

Posted 5/18/2010 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I was on methotrexate for about five months. It worked quickly. I think I began to notice improvement after around six weeks. For me, it was also great for my hair! I lose a lot of hair, but that stopped after beginning methotrexate. I don't remember exactly how long it took, but I think I saw improvement within a couple of months. Unfortunately, I had to stop the methotrexate because of a rare side effect, and I started having have the hair loss again within two or three months of discontinuing it, after the beneficial effects wore off. I was sorry I couldn't stay on methotrexate.
Posted 5/18/2010 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I started methotrexate in January having tapered Prednisolone down to 10mg per day and still having cramps and d. To be honest apart from feeling a bit under the weather the next day I have had no effect from it at all, I have had to go up to 15mg Pred and that really isn't enough. I am now waiting to start on Remicade. I haven't noticed any hair loss, I have felt more tired but my GI says its because the Crohns is active. I was told it takes about 8 weeks to kick in but no luck for me. I am still taking it and maybe if Remicade gets me into remission it will be answer for me, for now I just have to wait and see. Sorry this isn't more positive for you.
Posted 5/18/2010 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
I take mtx and folic acid with it
for me it has helped
hair loss nope actually grew lol
it took a good 6 weeks to feel benefits but it has helped me
tk care
lyn
Posted 5/19/2010 3:27 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you everyone. I have my doctor's appt tomorrow so will discuss with him.
Posted 5/19/2010 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
LET us know how you mk out kk
tk care
lyn
Posted 5/19/2010 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
I got on it for arthritis and we started with the pills, but they hurt my stomach, so we switched to injections.  It worked better than anything else but it raised my liver enzymes and we had to stop it. =(  Still can't get the flare under control now.  I didn't have any hair loss (took folic acid with it) or any other side effects, other than the liver enzymes. But, a lot of meds raise my enzymes, so I guess I'm just "special" (in a bad way). 

Posted 5/19/2010 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
The injections are the only thing that has even remotely worked for me.
Posted 5/20/2010 12:20 AM (GMT 0)
I've been really concerned about hair loss too, so it's good to see that mtx actually brought enough health for the hair to grow for some. I've lost so much hair, my hair is a quarter what it was a year ago.

I'm also taking mtx, weekly injections 25mg. I've been on it about 4 months. It seems like I'm a little better but my sed rate is still 70 (as of yesterday) and my white blood cell count is 14.5. So, I'm not sure it's really working for me. (I'm also on Cimzia and just finished a month of steroids...)

But! I really have no noticeable side effects whatsoever. The shot doesn't hurt at all, no nausea, no fatigue (aside from what i normally feel), etc, etc. They order lab work every 4 weeks (every 2 weeks in the beginning) and check liver levels.
Posted 5/20/2010 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
It took me six months to really see a difference in my sed rate I am still fairly high for my age but at least I am not 3 times my age. That being said I do take 5 MG of folic acid daily. I lost about half of the diameter of my pony tail. But found using damage remedy from aveda is really helping with the damage my hair has, because it got to the point it was like straw.
Posted 5/20/2010 5:33 PM (GMT 0)
I always appreciate your reminders for patience, Navy. We're doing a scope at 6 months to actually see if the mtx is helping. That way we aren't relying on sed rate.

dietcoke - did you decide to try cyclosporine before mtx? I'm curious to hear how things go for you. Good luck!
Posted 5/21/2010 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on the injections, and have been since....February (I think -- it's been a long year already!) I didn't have any issues with hair loss UNTIL I had my resection in April -- however, I doubt it's due to the MTX. I do get nauseated from the shot's, but I use either QueaseEase or Zofran to work with that. I wasn't thrilled to get on it, but decided it was worth a try as nearly everything else was not effective.  It took about 6 weeks for me to actually notice a difference, and I get bloodwork every 3-4 weeks to watch for any adverse reactions.
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