I'm back ya'll | Arthritis Information

Hey everyone, I am back. I missed getting online, and hearing about you all. I have been so sick these past few weeks. The mtx has created some very frustrating and dibilitating problems for me. As much as it has been helping me with the RA it has been causing me lots of stomach problems and giving me mouth sores that were so painful I was unable to eat. So RD took me off the mtx for a couple of weeks to let things hopefully get back to normal. Mouth is almost better and stomach has settled but boy I am so bad RA wise. I realize how much my body needs the mtx to combat the RA. Today is a fairly good day. The placquinel doesn't really do much on it's own. And the thought of having to keep up with the prednisone at a higher dose isn't great either.
We are going to try the mtx again this weekend but I am afraid of the mouth sores coming back. Has anyone else experienced this?

Take care everyone.

I've been on mtx for 4 weeks and just in the last 4 days or so I've gotten a couple mouth sores, one has already started getting a little better. I hope they don't just keep getting worse. I also felt so nauseous the first few weeks I lost 10 pounds from not being able to eat, that has lessened some in the last week though. So I'm interested in hearing others experiences and advice. Hi, sorry it has been such a bad time for you. I suffered with many mouth sores, my Rd increased the folic acid to 3mg, now no more sores but it does have a bad side effect, really gasssy!!! But it beats being in pain with the sores. good luck.Just wondering, why do some dr.s make patients really tough it out with the mtx? My dr. took me off of it after two weeks of my stomach upset, nausea, mouth sores, loss of appetite. When I finally called him because I felt so sick (I had to call him on a Sunday - which I hate doing but I was in dire straits) he said his only complaint with me was why did I wait two weeks before calling. I said I thought this was how I was supposed to feel and maybe get used to the drug. So I just wonder why some dr.s keep patients on it even though they have negative reactiions.I got mouth sores, just at first. They went away after i went on 2 mg folic acid daily and switched to biotene toothpaste. But they weren't that severe...Can you buy folic acid over the counter? I had the same issue with mouth sores when I started MTX over a year ago.

First I had hair loss. That was resolved with Folic Acid. Took me off MTX, put me on Folic Acid, and a week later add the MTX back in.

Then had mouth sores. The doc added Leucovorin. This taken only on the day you take your MTX, and you do not take the Folic Acid that day. I take my MTX on Friday night when I go to bed. Then take Leucovorin pill in the morning, again in the afternoon, and again at bedtime.

Also, a trick my dr gave me for the stomach upset is to take the MTX when you go to bed. That way you are asleep when the stomach upset happens and you sleep right through it.

All of the above worked like a charm for me.

The only side effect I have not figured out how to avoid is the exhaustion.

Talk to you doc about the above and see what he/she thinks.

Feel better!

Oh yeah..... I also know some people who do the MTX injections in order to avoid the stomach upset. [QUOTE=SnowOwl] I hope you can strike that balance so you can have your meds and not the side effects.[/QUOTE]

Me too. Yes, I do try to have good solid foods in my stomach, plenty of water and had started taking the mtx before bedtime. At first it was good but then it just went back to the way it was. I think the RD is going to raise my folic acid levels too. We'll see what happens tonight.
mom2

An increase in folic acid might help, also MXT injections will definately help. There are ways around some of the MXT issues and then there are people that can't take it at all, no matter what the RD advises and prescribes. I've been taking it for 4 years by injection and have no mouth sores, no abdominal problems or hair loss. I take 2 mg. of FA, do injections, and rinse my mouth daily with a diluted rinse of 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Mom, sometimes no matter what you do or try you can't take some of the meds. At least there are some alternatives for you to try. I'm glad you're on the mend. Lindy

[QUOTE=Honey]Just wondering, why do some dr.s make patients really tough it out with the mtx? My dr. took me off of it after two weeks of my stomach upset, nausea, mouth sores, loss of appetite. When I finally called him because I felt so sick (I had to call him on a Sunday - which I hate doing but I was in dire straits) he said his only complaint with me was why did I wait two weeks before calling. I said I thought this was how I was supposed to feel and maybe get used to the drug. So I just wonder why some dr.s keep patients on it even though they have negative reactiions.[/QUOTE]

Same here. I hate reading about so many people suffering on their meds and Dr.'s not helping them. If it ain't working I say stop taking and try another. My rheumy took me off MTX after 2 weeks of suffering as well. Dr.'s need to get a clue!!!

Another option to consider is splitting the dose, if you take 6 pills, take 3 with breakfast and 3 with dinner. Check with your doctor though first.

I inject mtx, bypasses the stomach.

Welcome Back - I haven't had issues with mtx, so no suggestions from me, other than to try injectables. Hope this time around works and you start feeling better.

Cathy

[QUOTE=Joie]Another option to consider is splitting the dose, if you take 6 pills, take 3 with breakfast and 3 with dinner. Check with your doctor though first. [QUOTE=CathyMN]

Welcome Back - I haven't had issues with mtx, so no suggestions from me, other than to try injectables. Hope this time around works and you start feeling better.