Starting mtx- have questions | Arthritis Information

I'm starting methotrexate and folic acid. Why do i keep reading to not take folic acid on the same day you take Mtx? Only the other 6 days?

Any other advice ?

Thanks guys! Folic Acid decreases the efficacy of Methotrexate, but my RD says it's OK to take it every day, even the days that I take MTX. It will be interesting to see what other's have to say.

BTW...because Folic Acid does decrease the efficacy of MTX, my RD doesn't routinely put his patients on it. I have been on MTX for about 6 years, but just started taking Folic Acid about a month ago because of mouth sores. I've been on 20 mg of injectable MTX for the past year, and if the Folic Acid helps with the mouth sores, he said he might increase my MTX to 25 mg to compensate for the decrease in efficacy.

Brisen2009-09-01 18:34:10I take it the same day and have never been told not to.I also took them on the same day....I take folic acid everyday including my mtx day...my doctor says that's fine.Methotrexate is a chemotherapy drug that prevents cell reproduction by interfering with folic acid activation

To reduce the risk of these side effects from MTX, without fear of interfering with its efficacy, a maximum daily dose of 5mg of folic acid is recommended for those patients taking MTX on a regular weekly basis

http://arthritis.about.com/od/arthqa/f/folicacidmtx.htm

so.. taking your 1mg daily of folic acid neither interferes w/ the efficacy of MTX .. and keeps cell reproduction working....

Also.. drink LOTS of water the day of MTX dosing...and the day after.. I also suggest taking the meds w/ dinner or later in the day..and sleeping through most of the side effects (If you have any at all)

do what your doc says....... take your meds!! good luck

Hmmmm...my RD told me that for every 1 mg of Folic Acid taken, it decreases the efficacy of MTX by 5 mg.

Hi Kelly, aside from the other great suggestions, allow me to add: take your MTX in the evening with a snack that includes a high-grade protein. Eat part of your snack, take you MTX and then finish your snack.

In my personal experience taking the weekly dose in the evening, with food, prevented the nausea and headache sometimes associated with the therapy. Not everyone experiences either of these side-effects, and they are usually self-limiting.

As others have said, I took folic acid daily, sometimes as much as the maximum of 5 mg.

I am certain that once you begin therapy and your inflammation begins to be controlled you will find live wonderful once again.

Best wishes, Shug
When I was on methotrexate, my RD said to take it "EVERY" day, and I did.I also take Folic Acid everyday. I had a problem with hair loss in the beginning, but that has gotten better. I agree with what others have said--eat a high protein snack at night and take the MTX at night. I started doing that after a few bouts with nausea and it really helped. Thanks everyone . How long does the nausea last,24 hrs? I'm already really weak and am scared to take it but the rheumatologist didn't seemed worried. She said I might do better with enbrel less side affects? I hear that's a pretty serious drug. Oh jeeze I just want things back to normal I've been sick for almost 4 weeks now. My main dr has run tons if tests and thinks it's just anxiety, have tried 3 different antidepressants and feel do awful after taking them I stop.Kelly....I have never had any nausea even at 25 mgs...so maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones too

Good luck!

I only get nauseated if I don't time it right with a good snack or if I have eaten something rich that day. The nausea lasts only a couple of hours and is manageable. Just thought I'd throw my experiences in, even though (as usual) my reactions are quite different than those of others.

I've never had nausea from mtx. What I did have in the beginning, though, was major dizziness two days (!) after taking my weekly dose. After nearly four years on mtx, I still got the dizzies, but the intensity varied from week to week, and it was sometimes two days after the dose, and sometimes three days. Then, in the past 2-3 months, three days after mtx I was not only dizzy, but experienced a massive "whole body 'flare'" (for lack of a better description).

I'm off the mtx now, to see what happens without it.

I've heard that 'most' people don't have a whole lot of side effects from it. Hope you're one of the 'most'!

I never experienced nausea from the methotrexate, but I was really tired the day after I took it.I have been on MTX for one year 20mg. I take it every Monday with dinner. Those nights I do not take the folic acid, not because I was told not to, my script says every day. I usually take my calcium, vitamin & folic acid after dinner, but on MTX day I don't take them. I don't experience nauseau to often, in the begginning it was stomach discomfort. It doesn't have any negative effects on me now. My RD always asks though, he says that there are things that can be done to help that. Good Luck, I wish you the best. I took about 4 months to really kick in for me. Thanks for all your responses! I decided to get the shot and so far no reaction which is great! [QUOTE=klynn141]Thanks for all your responses! I decided to get the shot and so far no reaction which is great! [/QUOTE]

So at 9.30 last week, I had a snack took my drugs had more snack. Within 10 mins I had a prickly sensation around my jaw line, then my mouth filled with fluid and I felt horribly sick.

On Thursday morning, I got up (didnt want to), felt tired, dizzy an a bit woozy (techical term!) I went to work, we were running a course, had to meet, greet, get them all sorted. By the time I'd done that and got to my desk, I was very dizzy and tired, so I went home to bed. I took my folic acid and I was amazed that within 2 hours the mouth filling with fluid had stopped, I just felt tired. Friday found me still weary but pretty much back to normal. (well hubby asks me to define normal... but you know what I mean)

My GP has told me it will take approx. 8 weeks for my body to accustom itself to MTX, so I'm hoping that as the 8 weeks progress that the nausea will ease. I'd have liked to be one of those of you who hadnt had the nausea, but I guess we all handle these drugs differently.

So, Kelly just do what your doctor has told you, take the advice of the ladies who have replied to you and snack, and rest.

All the best.Hi Sarah,

Wow, that did not sound like fun for you! I hope it gets easier. Ask your dr if the mtx shot is an option , it helps with side affects I've heard. Also how many mg of mtx did your dr prescribe?

Kelly Hi Kelly

Sorry, I didnt reply quicker. I logged off and went to bed, its normally about 10.00/11pm here when I log on at the weekend. I'm on a small amount of mtx 10mg. Although I have to admit, I do have a delicate stomach, that's years of eating pain relief for you. My GP said we have to do the tablets first and if they are too upsetting then we'll think about shots.... so only another 7 doses to go

I used to take all these same meds. During that time I have tried a natural way to fight my RA. It is the most amazing drink with antioxidants, fatty acids, and glucocamine. I am now in remission!!! e-mail me at JennyAaron2@hotmail.com to get all the details. Im a new person and off all meds. [QUOTE=klynn141]I'm starting methotrexate and folic acid. Why do i keep reading to not take folic acid on the same day you take Mtx? Only the other 6 days?

Any other advice ?

Thanks guys! [/QUOTE]

I'm Michael Everio. I'm in the same position. I talked to my doctor friends Chris Freville and Amber Sharman who were professional since 8th October 2000, I read lots of things but still I need any other advices too? thanks..

Michael Everio2009-09-09 18:23:24[QUOTE=RAFREE]I used to take all these same meds. During that time I have tried a natural way to fight my RA. It is the most amazing drink with antioxidants, fatty acids, and glucocamine. I am now in remission!!! e-mail me at JennyAaron2@hotmail.com to get all the details. Im a new person and off all meds. [/QUOTE]

Don't you realize that many of the people on this forum have tried at one time or another many of the so-called all natural ways to fight RA and they haven't helped. Sometimes the search for an all natural "cure" or remission leads to further damage. Some people have put off taking allopathic meds because they're so dialed into the search for the all natural cure or remission.

I just wish it were this easy; that all we had to do was contact you, buy over the internet whatever it is your selling or representing and we'd achieve clinical remission. What a pipe dream. If you want to try and sell your product start a thread of your own and don't come onto an individual's thread who has legitimate concerns about starting a medication that has helped millions of RA/PsA people but has some serious side effects.

Suggesting, evenly remotely, that there is an all natural remedy that will help you achieve clinical remission versus a tried and true medication that has been used for years with success isn't the way to get anyone's attention on this forum. We're just a little smarter than that. Maybe suggest that they use whatever it is that you're selling in conjunction with the medication in question but only with their RDs permission.