Rheumie appt.with MTX question | Arthritis Information
Had my rheumie appt. yesterday. I'm on Prednisone, MTX (10 pills, 25 mg), Leukovorin, Nifedipine and Enbrel (switched from Humira).
I've never found something that really works. I'm better, I can function, but I have a lot of pain and stiffness still. Is this as good as it gets? Maybe....but I haven't tried all the meds yet so I'm plugging along.
My question, he thinks I should go to infusions, keeping the MTX. He wants me to start with Orencia. But with that, he's also switching to injectable MTX as he said some patients can absorb 20 - 80% of the medicine when taking oral medications. He can not tell which % my body absorbes so thinks we should try injectable.
What's the deal with injectable. Does the medicine stay refrigerated? Is it hard to fill up and inject (I've only had Humira pen or Enbrel sure click) Has anyone had the oral version and switched to injectabe and noticed a difference?
I'm also due to travel in a couple of weeks. I have to call the airline because I'll have to bring both injectable meds with me.....should be a pain.
Any help would be appreciated.
HI Debra, I am on the injectable MTX, I do find it better than oral. I keep mine in the fridge but as long as it is kept under 25 degrees, I am pretty sure it is ok. I can't do the injection myself as you need two hands and I can't manoevre mine that well, you have to draw back the needle after entering the skin to make sure you haven't hit a blood vessel, and you should squeeze the skin together while injecting it, definitely hurts less! I am about to go on Rituxan with MTX, as like you I still have pain and stiffness and many many flares, pain is constant so RD said with the inflammation still high, we definitely should try something else. So I wish you the best of luck, I reckon as long as Rituxan works for me, things will be great but if not then yes this is as good as it has got for me. But I have allergies/intolerances to most meds, so chin up, make the best of what you have and stay happy, I know it is hard and we all have our bad days but try to concentrate on the positives in life then the pain is a little easier to cope with.Hi Debra, Jane gave you good advice. It's not difficult to draw up the med and inject. Once I started injectable MXT my response was better. Sometimes I get really tired of injecting myself because I use Humira also. I'm in clinical remission and back to doing all the things that I couldn't do for years, so 2 needle sticks a week is so worth it. There's hope....don't give up. LindyI've been on the MTX injections for several months and it really is more effective. I refrigerate mine, though the pharmacist said it's not necessary. Some vials have preservative, some don't, so ask your pharmacist for advice.
It's not hard to fill the syringe and inject but it does take a little practice. My neighbor (a nurse) helped me the first time but many people do well on their own. Believe me, if I can do it, you can too.
Hi Debra...I take the injectable but i dont keep mine in the fridge,mine actually sits in a lock up plastic box on top of my wardrobe, i find the injections more comfortable when they are at room temp.I never refrigerate it...have never been told to. And the injections don't hurt one bit, when I do them right (which means no hesitation!) :)
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