Just the lil information the my Rheumy gave me on this medicine scares me. I tried Sulfidine... I had an allergy to sulfer that i was not even aware of... Then I started the Plaquil, It helped at first then just kinda stopped. Now he wants me to combine the Plaquil and MTX. He told me about the Lung and Liver damage it can cause and it did really scare me. And this may be petty but he said I can never have alcohol again... Well crap... Im only 33 and Im not a drinker by any means... But if I go out I like to have a drink now and again. He also said he would have me to take all 7 pills at once, and his reason was the liver damage... He said "Think of it like this, If you drink alot and get drunk one day it is better than drinking every day as far as the effects on your Liver... Can anyone make me feel better about this? I see most of yall are on it. Im gonna get a second opinion..... I kinda figure he will tell me the same thing... But I need a different Rheumy anyways because the one I have now is kinda a jerk... Can yall tell me if you have had any problems while taking this??
Linda
Hi Linda. I've been on mtx and plaq for 18+ yrs. I take 7 pills every Wednesday. Throughout the 18 yrs I've alternated during the pills and shots but I prefer the pills. I was told to watch my alcohol inake a few years ago, bascially once I got to college because I wasn't exactly going to drink when I started on it at age 5. I go out and drink with friends about once a week but it's 2 drinks max. My liver function tests are always still completely normal. I think the rheumys tell their patients the horror stories about mtx and the liver just to make sure the point gets across that it can indeed mess up your liver if you drink heavily. For me mtx has worked wonders. When I was little I referred to it as "my magic yellow pills" because it helped me so much and still does. Personally I would say try it. It works pretty quickly so you should know within a few months if it's going to help you. Oh and the pills are really tiny so taking 7 isn't difficult at all.
Hiya, Linda!!
You know, there are a barrage of side effects with every medication we take for RA. Heck, that usually goes for anything you take. The side effects for MTX are overwhelming, I know. I completely understand your hesitation. But, it might be really helpful to you in controlling your RA. I take MTX, but it is the injectable version since my stomach tends to get upset with any med I take in pill form. What is the dosage he prescribed for you? In my case, my RX told me no more than 3 drinks in a week. MTX kind of leaves me with that hungover feeling so I hardly drink at all, if ever.
I know adding this new drug is scary and I was hesitant about it myself, but it has really helped me a lot. I'm also taking Enbrel and I think this is the magic cocktail for me. (Everyome is different.) I still have pains here and there, but it's nothing near as bad as I've had in the past. It's really important to start treatment right away because this disease is very aggressive. I see you're the proud Mommy to 3 kiddos. It's important to take care of yourself so you'll be able to take care of them and do all the normal Mommy stuff.
There's also AP therapy. A lot of people on here swear by it. There are several threads available where it is discussed and the people who practice it are very helpful. Maybe this could be the route for you?
It's also very important to have an RD you're comfortable with so if this one's a jerk definitely check into another! The news may be the same, but at least you'll have someone with compassion.
I hope you have a superfantastic and comfortable day! And, oh yeah, welcome back!
Some doctors say not to drink at all (Mine says not to drink) some say a drink once in a while is ok. I take 25mgs of mtx and have the occasional drink of wine. I've never been much of a drinker but I like to have one occasionally and have never had problems due to those few drinks of wine.
Hi Linda, The literature can make you crazy when you read all the possible side effects but the idea of continuing damage scares me more. I've been on MXT 17.5 mg. for several years and so far I have had no side effects. I switched to the inj. form to bypass my stomach. I can only say that given the choice of RA damage or possibly stopping the damage with MXT - I'd choose MXT. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Lindy Jo Jo I take my MTX overa 24 hr period. For instance. 2 at dinner 2 at breakfast then 2 at dinner. I've been on it for years. I have a beer on the weekends but I do not think it has interfered with the MTXI will speak from personal experience.
I have been taking 10 mg. (4 pills) of MTX for about 1.5 years. It has been a godsent. I was pretty much nonfunctioning (looking back) when I was diagnosed with RA and started the medication. I am not able to do everything I did before the medication. That doesn't mean I don't sometimes feel the old pain but it doesn't last and it is not debilitating.
When I first started MTX, I did experience significant fatigue. That side effect did not last long.
As for alcohol, I may (not always have 1-3 drinks/week). I may go for a month without drinking. It all depends on my mood. I did have one elevated live function test but it was the second month after I started the medication. I try to be very careful.
I realize the side effects are scary. However, I decided that living a functioning life was more important to me than possible side effects. So far I have not regretted the decision.
Good Luck!
JoJo-Baby,
I comepletely understand and sympathize with you about the social life aspect of not being able to drink because of MTX. Never been a huge drinker (except maybe during college now that I think back on it) but being single it's always been a big part of my life and also my career in sales because of client entertainment requirements.
BUT for NOW, while it hasn't completely "fixed" me, it has helped me out enough to value it more than the effects on my social life right now and my career is on hold at this point anyway.
Of course, to be honest, I spend a lot of time fantasizing about whatever new drug they will be coming up with soon that won't interfer with alcohol.
Good Luck to You!
AdeleRenee
When I asked the PA at the RD's office about drinking on MTX, she told me I still could.....maybe she is way off??? (BTW she said a few drinks a week wouldn't hurt)Thank yall so much for your replies... It really helps to hear how much it helps. Hearing that some have been on it for years with no problems makes it a bit easier to swallow. Thank you!I've been on MTX for many years now. I take 25mg (10 pills a week) and I swear by this stuff. I've been on lots of different things since I was dx'ed but nothing has worked as well as MTX. Some people don't tolerate it very well; but luckily I'm not one of those people. I have very few problems.
As far as drinking goes I have several glasses of wine per week. My doctor is fine with it in moderation. My liver test have always been fine. There are conflicting opinions on this matter; if you ask 10 people here 5 will said their doctor said it was ok in moderation and 5 will say their doctors made them PROMISE never to touch the stuff.
I'd definately recommend MTX to anyone who asked.
I've been taking Mtx for a year now with no significant side effects (the first couple months, I had nausea but that went away).
Unfortunately, the Mtx has done NOTHING for me.
One thing I don't remember reading in the literature is that Mtx can slow healing. I'm having surgery next week to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon, and both my orthopedic surgeon and my RD told me to discontinue the Mtx for a couple weeks.
So many people get relief with Mtx, that despite any side effects, I would have tried it anyway, and I do still take it despite what I perceive to be no significant improvement, for me.