I take my 7, 2.5mg MTX on Saturday. It seems that by Monday I start feeling a little better then slowly as the week passes I get worse and worse. I sit here Friday and My low back n sacro are very obviously inflamed and hurting. I Lost feeling in my legs twice picking up my 2 yr. old between last night and this am. My neck was barely moveable when I woke up. I guess what Im askin is, Is it normal for the positive effects of the MTX to taper off like that? Also, Can anyone explain to me why I would loose feeling in my legs... it was a warm numb feeling traveled from my low spine to low back then down my legs until everything felt like it collaps on me. My next appt. w/ my Rheumy is on the 15th. Also has anyone ever noticed any kind of Digestive problems at or around the time you flare.. This may be TMI but it seems that right before a good Flare I get Diarea for a day or two. Appreciate any input...
Jojo
It's definately likely that the effects of the MTX are wearing off as you get closer to your dose day. At 7.5mg you've got plenty of room to increase that. I've been there before and an increase (by even one pill) can be very helpful.
I currently take 25mg a week and I got there just like you are starting now. Slowly but surely the effects were not lasting as long as they were at first. That's the nature of the beast I'm afraid.
You will find that there are several of us who have digestion problems, not only when we flair, but at regular times as well.
When I became sick, at the same time I ended up having problems digesting dairy, wheat, gluten products and sugars.
I take probiotics and fish oil to help regulate my system.
MTX can also cause nausea and other stomach problems which can be vomiting or loose bowel movements. It likes to play a doozy on your stomach.
Do you find you get sick feeling when you eat select foods?
When I eat wheat I get a rock feeling in my stomach. When i eat dairy i get stomach burning, nausea and loose bowel movements.
Usually when a food is causing it, you get more symptoms than just loose stools. It quite possibly can be your meds.
All people are different, but more and more each day are finding that digesting select foods (especially women) end up flairing up their arthritis.
I would talk with your doctor about what they think might be causing it, I would also suggest possible fish oil (omega 3) and probiotics added to your diet, they regulate the digestion process.
I wish you well.
Hi Jojo, good question. I was wondering the same thing myself because I often feel like I'm starting to fade near the time of my next "fix." I take 20 mg. If I read your post right, you're taking 7 of the pills? There is room for an increase, if needed. As for the numbness, I just saw a neurologist today and he said numbness is often the result of the disease affecting the nerves because they're inflamed. Talk to your RD about your continued symptoms. I hope you get the results you want.