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Posted 10/25/2007 12:32 PM (GMT 0)
I will be starting Methotrexate in about a week here after I visit my Dr.  I know many of the possible side effects, but have any of you actually lost all of your hair?  That's not my biggest fear by far.  I would also like to know if its very possible to get sick alot easier on this medication?  I work with the public and I've arranged at my job to work in the back if I'm not feeling up to working around people, especially sick people who feel the need to go out and about and cough in your face.  I'm really nervous about trying this, but it just seems like the best thing to do at this time.  Thanks.
Posted 10/25/2007 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
No, I haven't lost my hair. It will go through phases of thinning, but my hair was falling out terribly right when I all my problems started so the thinning pales in comparison.

No, I don't get sick easier on MTX. In fact, DH and my son have had the sickies on and off and I haven't gotten it once. But since starting MTX I'm much more diligent about washing my hands.

Everyone reacts differently though. Good luck!
Posted 10/25/2007 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Firebabe . . . hair loss . . . I did have 'some', but not noticeable to others . . . just when I thought it was getting noticeably thin, I had an even layer of little 'spikes' coming up (new hair!!!). When my hair is falling out, I always run my fingers lightly over my scalp to feel for the reassuring little spikes. getting sick easier . . . I was waiting for that one too. I was trying to avoid the grands when they had a cold and whatever and then I decided that it was too often that others are coming down with something and I was fighting a losing battle . . . so I decided to be around them with just a bit of caution . . . I wasn't sick any more often than normal . . . in fact, I was able to be more active and I think that was huge in feeling better. For me, the name of it and hearing that it was mild "chemo" was the cause for my expectations to be nauseous and easily infected with germs. It turns out that this is a much safer drug than lots of other choices and if it helps, it keeps you away from the other big guns. My worst side affect was feeling sleepy the next day and a nap fixed that . . . so choose a time to take it when you'll be able rest a bit more . . . then, be prepared to feel better after a couple/few weeks. Blessings!
Posted 10/25/2007 8:33 PM (GMT 0)
I started methotrexate last week. I was scared to death to take a "chemo drug". I took it last Thursday in the evening - just in case I got sick. I didn't get sick - not even nauseated. In fact, Friday I was surprised to find I actually felt a little better. Over the weekend, I was becoming cautiously optimistic that perhaps this is a wonder drug!

By Monday I started feeling crappy again. Ditto Tuesday & Wednesday. Today, I took my second dose of methotrexate. Wasn't feeling too good before I took it. This afternoon - I'm feeling better.

So - I think I'm going to be anxious to take it next week if it keeps making me feel better!
Posted 10/25/2007 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, I forgot to mention to be sure and take folic acid with it. I take a Rx form called Metanx.
Posted 10/26/2007 1:50 AM (GMT 0)
Greetings Firebabe!

I did not notice any hair loss with my MTX. I started taking it in pill form and didn't notice much of anything. I still had joint pain and fatigue. My rhuemy had me give myself injections each week instead and it really helped me. I had no nausea or hair loss, either. I have taken the injections for about a year now and the only thing I notice is that I feel a bit sluggish the next day. After that, I have noticeable energy and almost feel like my old self on most days. For me, the MTX was a wonder drug. In July, I noticed that it was not as effective and my rhuemy upped my dose. The increase was just what I needed.

I wish you luck with the MTX. It is certainly worth a try!
Posted 10/26/2007 5:25 PM (GMT 0)

Dakota0917 said...
I started methotrexate last week. I was scared to death to take a "chemo drug". I took it last Thursday in the evening - just in case I got sick. I didn't get sick - not even nauseated. In fact, Friday I was surprised to find I actually felt a little better. Over the weekend, I was becoming cautiously optimistic that perhaps this is a wonder drug!

By Monday I started feeling crappy again. Ditto Tuesday & Wednesday. Today, I took my second dose of methotrexate. Wasn't feeling too good before I took it. This afternoon - I'm feeling better.

So - I think I'm going to be anxious to take it next week if it keeps making me feel better!

When you say you felt crappy again, did you mean fevers, or diahhrea, or aches and pains or sick to your stomach. 

I'm thankful for everyone contributing to this question.  I'm trying to stay optimistic, but I'm also too anxious to know how I could possibly feel.  Hopefully I will be as lucky as most of you on here and feel great a few days later.  Thanks.

Posted 10/28/2007 6:23 PM (GMT 0)
I've been having a real problem with excrutiating headaches.  No fevers, nausea, diahhrea, etc.  Just that the headaches came back to hang around.  But - took the meth this past Thursday and have been feeling semi-normal again. All I know is that, for at least a few days, I feel better.  I'll be anxious to see how long it lasts this week.  So far, so good.

firebabe said...

Dakota0917 said...
I started methotrexate last week. I was scared to death to take a "chemo drug". I took it last Thursday in the evening - just in case I got sick. I didn't get sick - not even nauseated. In fact, Friday I was surprised to find I actually felt a little better. Over the weekend, I was becoming cautiously optimistic that perhaps this is a wonder drug!

By Monday I started feeling crappy again. Ditto Tuesday & Wednesday. Today, I took my second dose of methotrexate. Wasn't feeling too good before I took it. This afternoon - I'm feeling better.

So - I think I'm going to be anxious to take it next week if it keeps making me feel better!

When you say you felt crappy again, did you mean fevers, or diahhrea, or aches and pains or sick to your stomach. 

I'm thankful for everyone contributing to this question.  I'm trying to stay optimistic, but I'm also too anxious to know how I could possibly feel.  Hopefully I will be as lucky as most of you on here and feel great a few days later.  Thanks.

Posted 10/28/2007 8:26 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks, like I said, I'm nervous about starting to take the MTX.  I've been getting some pretty bad headaches lately as it is.  I do go to the chiropractor monthly and he said my neck was pretty bad this last time.  I'm sure you probably know what it's like to change meds often because something isn't working.  It's so frustrating, but I really appreciate anything I can learn before trying something new.  Take care.

Posted 10/29/2007 1:57 AM (GMT 0)

I've been getting these headaches that feel like someone was pounding a railroad spike in my temple.  After doing some research on this site - I learned there is something called a lupus headache that acts like a migraine - but none of the migraine meds will help it - only prednisone.  My PCP upped my prednisone to 30 mg / day.  That seemed to make them go away.  A week later, my rheumy added methotrexate to the mix, but lowered my prednisone (gradually) down to 20 mg/day.  (Which, I'm glad because it seemed that at 30 mg/day I started turning into turbo-B****).  So, I really don't think the methotrexate made the headaches return.  I really do feel better after the methotrexate.  I have seriously had no adverse reactions to it other than being perhaps a little more tired.  I stopped taking my asacol (for irritable bowel) because I re-read the side effects of that and it can cause headaches.  My first day without it was Friday and I've not had a headache for two days...so I'm wondering if the asacol wasn't playing nice with my other meds.  We'll find out tomorrow...I'm going to go back on it and see what happens.

This Thursday I'm headed into the neurologist.  They will probably schedule an MRI, CT and spinal tap to see if I have "neuro/cerebral involvement".

Right now - I'm just hoping for a headache free week.

Sometimes I feel like a mad scientist...what triggers my flares?  Besides the sun...stress?  lack of sleep?  What exact dose of medicine is going to be "the one"?  What combination of meds will be "the one"?

Hope this helps...

firebabe said...

Thanks, like I said, I'm nervous about starting to take the MTX.  I've been getting some pretty bad headaches lately as it is.  I do go to the chiropractor monthly and he said my neck was pretty bad this last time.  I'm sure you probably know what it's like to change meds often because something isn't working.  It's so frustrating, but I really appreciate anything I can learn before trying something new.  Take care.


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