going to start Methotrexate, what can I expect?

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!

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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

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

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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!

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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

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

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