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Posted 2/16/2008 10:31 AM (GMT -8)
Hey everyone, just wanted to let you all know I took my first dose of Mtx last night and so far I am feeling ok. I am a little tired but no nausea, etc. yeah Hopefully I will be able to tell a difference in my joint pain after another dose or two. I really hope it works well for me.

I hope everyone is having a pain free day! Hugs to all
Posted 2/16/2008 4:25 PM (GMT -8)
Yeahhh!!! No nausea is always a relief!! I remember, before taking mtx for the first time, cleaning the toilets and the bathroom in anticipation of nausea! *phewwwwww!!* Thanks for the update Stacie. You might be sleepy tomorrow, but, hey! its Sunday . . . the good Lord made Sundays for resting!! Blessings!
Posted 2/16/2008 6:11 PM (GMT -8)
LOL Rosie, it's funny you said that......... I just cleaned my bathroom yesterday.... not anticipating the nausea it was just a coincidence!!!! I've not done much today but I had already warned my family, so they've pretty much left me alone! I won't be doing much tomorrow except for sunday school and church. I may get out and go to the store or something.

I'll keep you updated. Do you remember how long it was before you could tell a difference in your joint pain?
Posted 2/17/2008 6:58 AM (GMT -8)
Stacie I hope you continue to tollerate the mtx well and I really hope it helps you feel a lot better. It seems like a pretty good number of the people who have taken it on the forum had pretty good results with it. I'll be eager to hear how it works for you. Take care
Posted 2/17/2008 8:29 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Stacie,

   I just wanted to wish you well with the MTX. I hope it kicks in quickly and helps. When I took it about 12 years ago, I felt great and had no nausea either but, it did raise my liver enzymes and my doctor took me off it.

   Take care and keep us updated. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

                                                        Babs

Posted 2/17/2008 3:37 PM (GMT -8)
Hi.  I'm in my 4th month of taking methotrexate and I'm thinking about a month into it I wasn't feeling too much pain anymore.  However, when I first started it I was beginning to taper off of prednisone.  I am always really tired on Sundays.  I was supposed to work today, but thanks to the weather in Wisconsin the business decided not to open up, so I did a lot of sleeping today.  My tummy usually feels yucky after taking it and the next day, so I eat alot of bland foods after taking it.  I'm enjoying some applesauce right now-it was the only thing in my cupboard that looked good and I really don't want to run to the store in this weather crap for some yogurt.  

 

Hope you have good results with MTX!

Posted 2/29/2008 12:47 AM (GMT -8)

Hi! Good luck with your Methotrexate :) I never vomited either when I took the pills. I was switched to injectable Methotrexate on Nov.30 of last year, so I give myself a weekly injection. I usually feel a bit funny and not quite with it for about 3 days. I do think it has helped me some though. I have been sick for so long that even just a bit of help is GREAT in my book:)

Hugs! and Bless You

Cathy

Posted 2/29/2008 7:27 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Stacie,

Congratulations on your first dose of mtx!  I know it was a big decision.  It was for me too--it did take a bit longer,though, for the drug to actually kick in.  For me, it took about 2 months or so to feel different.  I experienced nausea and fatigue for the first few doses of mtx (just for a few days after the weekly dose), but after that, nothing.  No nausea, no fatigue.  I have no side effects whatsoever from the mtx.  I do take the folic acid faithfully.  Even when I run out of the prescription folic acid (which is a higher dose), I keep generic OTC folic acid around to supplement until the prescription is filled.  My rheumy told me you can't take too much folic acid. 

Overall, mtx has been a great drug for me, and I hope it is for you as well.

Elcamino

Posted 2/29/2008 7:08 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you Hippi, Babs, I took my 3rd dose tonight and had my 2 weeks labs done yesterday. I am hoping all is well with them as my las labs my liver enzymes were up too, not sure if it's my muscles or meds. I hope to start seeing some results soon!

Firebabe, I know what you mean about eating bland foods, I noticed last week my tummy didn't feel so good for a couple of days... I ate really light.

Cathy, thank you, I sure hope I do well with the pills as I don't know if I could give myself shots. Well, I'm sure I would if I had to, but I wouldn't like it nono I hope it continues to work for you.

Elcamino, thank you, this was a HUGE decision for me, it took me almost a year to make it. I was really nervous about taking it with the Imuran, plaq and everything else but the joint pain has gotten so bad I am willing to try anything. I have been on folic acid for a while to help with the mouth sores, I take 3 mg a day (I can take up to 5-1mg tabs) and I take extra for a couple of days around the time I take the MTX, usually 4 tabs.

It's great to hear so many people have had good results with this med, gives me some hope. Thank again guys, you're all the best! Hugs
Posted 2/29/2008 7:57 PM (GMT -8)
Good Luck Sweetie and make sure you take the folic acid everyday :) By the way the shots aren't bad I just use a teeny tiny TB syringe and needle :)
Posted 6/28/2009 5:58 PM (GMT -8)
I'm not sure if the thread is still going on .But I'm currently thinking about MTX for the joint pains that I get. I'm on remicade for Crohn's. I did some research and it might be because of antibody from remicade. Has anyone started a family after taking this med? I truly want a kid in my futur, as I am only 24 and getting married soon. It seems so scary. any insight would be great!
Posted 6/29/2009 7:38 AM (GMT -8)

Hi RA & CD,

I understand that methotrexate is NOT a drug you want to be on if you're trying to get pregnant.  Although, it is common for women and men to stop mtx for a couple of cycles prior to trying to get pregnant.  The pregnancy issue was a big one for me, as I wasn't sure if my family was complete (I have twin 6-year-old daughters).  I've since decided that my family is perfect and I had a tubal ligation done shortly after starting mtx.  I was warned about pregnancy and mtx by 3 doctors prior to making my decision for a tubal ligation. 

You certainly wouldn't have to do something so permanent though.  If you plan on children in your future, I understand you simply stop taking mtx for a couple of months or so before trying.  once the drug is out of your system, there is no danger to the baby (ies).

Elcamino

Posted 6/29/2009 9:24 AM (GMT -8)
The reason you don't want to take Methotrexate when pregnant is it depletes your folic acid which is vital to an embryo/unborn baby. My doc has recommended that I should be off MTX for 6 months prior to conceiving (even though she knows I'm done :)

This is extremely important though. My doc asked me about 3 times if I was pregnant or planning before I started taking it.
Posted 6/30/2009 2:46 AM (GMT -8)
I wish you luck. I will be following this thread... :)
Posted 6/30/2009 2:06 PM (GMT -8)

christine,dbad,

Thank you so much for your reply's. I'm in so much pain with the arthritis,seriously unable to walk.So right now I'll be putting having a baby on the side for at least another 2 years.. try to get everything under control(Crohn's and arthritis). Is it true with the mtx you can't sun tan? or even have a glass of wine once in awhile? I love travelling when able to,and I just love siting by the ocean in the sun. Having a cocktail (I clearly don't do this often, but I'll be having my wedding in Jamaica,I would like to have some fun!) There is allot of factor's for me to conisder MTX mixing it with remicade. I'M SO CONFUSED and my GI is such a busy docter,she doesn't really have time to sit with me for an hour and explain everthing to me. I should change docs but that could take up to a year to do here in Montreal.

Thanks again for your reply's i'll keep you updated I have a doc apt on Friday, will have to make my decision then.

Posted 6/30/2009 8:02 PM (GMT -8)
Hi RA&CD,

MTX makes you extremely sun sensitive. This was not a major adjustment for me anyway because I can't be in the sun due to my lupus so that was not something I had to give up. (although I do miss it at times from when I wasn't sick)

The alcohol thing... I've heard different things on this. Some say that their docs will let them have a drink every once in a while and some say none at all. Believe it or not, my doc never said anything about it. I did give up drinking though completely when I started taking it because I just didn't want to chance messing up my liver. When on MTX you need to get regular blood panels to test your liver enzymes because it can be toxic to your liver. My doc DID say no to Tylenol (acetaminophen) so I'm sure she would not want me to drink. I do miss an occasional drink now and then but for me its not worth my liver or giving up a med that is really helping. I can see though in your situation with the wedding, your dealing with a different situation.

BTW... Congrats on your upcoming wedding :)
Posted 7/1/2009 4:04 PM (GMT -8)
Thank you so much for everything. I'm wondering now after everything you said, to switch to humira and do IMURAN.. or maybe just doing Humira would better my RA. If worse comes to worse, my health is more important than having a drink and tanning once and awhile. I'll keep this thread posted with my up coming doc apt Friday, see what the GI thinks! Thanks again xox
Posted 7/1/2009 6:48 PM (GMT -8)
Stacie== I hear it helps alot. I can't take it because of my liver, so be sure to check your own liver labs. Some meds cause what docs call an "incidental" seemingly non damaging rise in enzymes but not that one my doc told me but the docs do sometimes get confused on the drugs. I think every patient on a lot of drugs should always get copies of liver enzyme labs because, after all, its your liver. What one doc may not think is high, another may have a fit over. At least you can find out what their cutoff point is and discuss it. For me, they said three times high abnormal and I had to quit the TB drug. That is extremely high. But it is reversible and the TB was a real problem for me. Other drugs are different, if I get a rise at all they may switch me. I'm sorry to be on a liver soapbox, I worry for people because I don't want anyone to endup with what I have with the liver. I'm just so glad the MTX is working and you are doing well and lots of people take it a long time and have no problem. I'm so glad it is an option for you and wll pray you can take it with no side effects. I take zofran for nausea, have to break them in half but they work good, don't mke you sleepy.
Posted 7/16/2009 3:51 PM (GMT -8)
Hi

 

I'm new to this. I had been on Methotrexatre since i was 13 so about 5 years when mid last year i had to get taken off due to it effecting my liver.

 

when i first took it, it was great, i didn't like the tablets but it was making me better, then after a few months i started to feel sick each time i took it so my doctors gave me folic acid. then after that i was get dizzy and light headed and then at differnt time in the week, i would start feeling very sick and nervous at the same time and it felt like i was travelling back in time to a moment of my life and not always good moments of my life. i no this sounds very strange. just wondered if anyone else felt like this.

 

Neil

Posted 7/16/2009 7:27 PM (GMT -8)
I have personally never taken the MTX. My brother took it for Chrohn's and has 3 beautiful healthy babies! Judy
Posted 9/4/2009 7:01 PM (GMT -8)
I'm wondering if Flexeril is Ok to take while on Mtx? My doctor told me not to take any nsaids or asa while on mtx, but I can take Apap (acetaminophen) if needed for pain and I am on Vicodin as needed (which, of course, contains acetaminophen). Now I'm a little confused, because I see dbab's doctor said no tylenol. However, you are also on hydrocodone prn (which is usually not administered alone, but in combination with acetaminiphen = vicodin). This is my first visit to this particular forum. I found it because I did a google search to try to determine if flexeril and mtx are safe together. Thanks for any advise! Best wishes and prayers to all :)
Posted 9/4/2009 7:44 PM (GMT -8)
Hi and welcome to the forum. I don't feel comfortable answering your question since I am not a doctor. A pharmacist would be a good place to start. You could call your pharmacist (or any pharmacist) and they should be able to tell you. I am starting methotrexate tomorrow and I also have a prescription for vicodin and my rheumy wrote scripts for both at my visit on Monday. I think the issue of concern is potential problems with the liver. There are some websites where you can check drug interactions. I think one of them is drugs.com. Good luck and I hope you'll let us know what you find out.
Posted 9/5/2009 4:49 AM (GMT -8)
hey There! Welcome to HW. This probably also depends on what other meds you are taking. For about a day (found out kidney problems) I was going to take methotrexate and I too take Flexeril...I asked my rhuemy if I could still take my other meds and she said I could. I would def sill check with a pharamist.
Posted 9/8/2009 12:47 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Oakey, I take Flexerill and an NSAID with my MTX but I think you should call your doctor to make sure it's ok for you.
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