going to start Methotrexate, what can I expect?

firebabe

Regular Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 206

Posted 10/16/2007 11:47 AM (GMT -7)

In a few weeks, I am going to my Dr. and we are going to start methotrexate. We discussed doing this a few months ago, but I can't remember all the details. I know that it will be at least a 15 mg dose once a week. I was thinking he said that I would maybe feel a little ill the following day after having the dose. I'm also looking for a good place to find out what the side effects are or could be. I'm going to need to let my employer know that I may not be feeling as wonderful as I have been on my prednisone. Also, does anybody know if you do the metho, can you still take pred until the other kicks in. I was told by my nurse that I probably wouldn't feel much of the effects of the metho until about 6 weeks.

Thanks for everybodys help. I appreciate it everytime.

~Firebabe~

"Challenges make you discover things about yourself you never really knew."

SLE and Class II Lupus Nephritis

AlwaysRosie

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2005

Posts : 8616

Posted 10/16/2007 1:40 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Firebabe, I took MTX for a good long time. It actually helped with my fatigue. It seems each of us have a different experience with some these drugs. I timed mine on a day of the week where I could sleep more the next day if I needed to. You get to pick one day a week to take it. I took mine on Friday night just before bed. The first few weeks my only side affect was a sleepy feeling (not fatigue, but sleepy. . . to me, fatigue was more like everything was a huge effort). That's it!! I didn't have nausea (Yeah!!!!). Lots do really well with this drug. I think I've seen both pred and MTX in other people's signatures, so maybe you can . . .your doc would know more about how it would interact with ALL your drugs. He will also start you on some type of folic acid supplement or Metanex. This is really important to protect your heart. He should also warn you that you can't consume alcohol on MTX as it is just too hard on the liver to do both. I hope it really helps you sis!! Keep us posted! Blessings! In His Grip AlwaysRosie " We can't control the waves, but we can learn how to surf!! " Psalms 139 Co-Moderator - Lupus Forum UCTD, Hashimotos, Inflammatory Bowel, Inflammatory Arthritis Clickable Links: Lupus Resources Lupous.Org Lupus Criteria (4 of 11) Lupus Chapter Locator

NanaBee

Veteran Member

Joined : Jun 2005

Posts : 541

Posted 10/16/2007 4:20 PM (GMT -7)

Hi Firebabe,

I have been on MTX for almost a year now. I take it just like Rosie said she took it. Friday nights... on Saturday I feel more tired than usual but by Monday I feel better and am able to work fulltime.

Thinking back to the first time I took it is funny. I prepared for the worst. I bought Pepto Bismal, talked to the pharmacist about the side effects, bought ginger cookies (for nausea) and made sure my bathroom was real clean in case I needed to spend the weekend in there. Well, thankfully, I didn't need any of that. I haven't really felt any side effects, except for fatigue and occasional slight nausear. Otherwise, it has helped me to function this past year. I started out taking 6 pills at a time, but about 4 months ago, we upped it to 8. I really think it has helped me to continue working fulltime.

I hope this helps ease some of your anxiety. Let us know how you do.

Mary Ann

**Diagnosed MCTD(doctor now says it is Lupus),Fibromyalgia,Raynaud's June 2005

**Sleep Apnea - February 2006

**Congenital Heart condition-Pulmonary stenosis, High blood pressure, IBS, degenerative disc disease, vertigo

**Meds: Plaquenil, MTX, Limbrel, Folic Acid, Metoprolol, Lotrel, Alprazolam, Cymbalta, Vicodin

"No matter what happens, God is in control. He is God, I am not, what a relief!"

AlwaysRosie

Veteran Member

Joined : Jan 2005

Posts : 8616

Posted 10/16/2007 4:29 PM (GMT -7)

LOL Mary Ann . . . I scoured the bathroom too!! and prepared for the possible nausea . . . I was SO relieved when it didn't make me sick. Yes, I started at 15 mg too and then up to 20 mg. Its great that it helped you so much. I found that it helped too. Blessings! In His Grip AlwaysRosie " We can't control the waves, but we can learn how to surf!! " Psalms 139 Co-Moderator - Lupus Forum UCTD, Hashimotos, Inflammatory Bowel, Inflammatory Arthritis Clickable Links: Lupus Resources Lupous.Org Lupus Criteria (4 of 11) Lupus Chapter Locator

Butterflake

Veteran Member

Joined : Jun 2006

Posts : 1650

Posted 10/17/2007 10:57 AM (GMT -7)

Hi Firebabe. I've been taking mtrx for over one year. I take it on Friday morning and for many months I had diarhea during the day Friday (hence taking it in the AM instead of PM). That has finally run its' course (pun intended tee hee), but I continue to sleep most of the day Saturday. I've taken prednisone off and on the entire time I've been on mtrx. The mtrx has been a great help over all. Good luck Sis!

Love, Butterflake

Dx: SLE diagnosed 2005, major depressive disorder, diabetes, fibromyalgia, gerd, sleep apnea (use a CPAP), hypertension, IBS

Tx: plaquenil, methotrexate, Imuran, prednisone, prozac, celebrex, lisinopril, actos, lipitor, nexeum, seroquel, arthritis tylenol PRN: ambien, neurontin, promethazine, xanax

supplements: multi vitamin, C, flaxseed oil, calcium/D

Better living through chemistry :D Donna

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