Hi,
I am newly diagnosed with AS after many, many years of pain. I am starting Methotrexate today and would especially like to know of any tips for minimizing the side effects of this med.
Thank you~
Yes! I cannot tell you from personal experience, but I did just read that taking B vitamin supplements can help. Good luck!I was diagnosed with AS a year ago after having many years of pain. I am not taking methyltrexate but I was advised to take it with the current prescription I have, which is enbrel. Enbrel works, but the pain of taking the shot has to overcome you.
I do believe that B vitamins also help keep the energy up. I try to stay away from coffee and am training myself to keep taking the vitamins.
Thank you Susan and Ronnie for your response. I am on week 2 of the methotrexate and I am feeling much better. I am having some problems with a sore mouth but at least the pain is improved.Does anyone have the neck and upper shoulder problems associated with AS? What do you do about it? I mean, besides taking the medication. I try to stretch it every so often but I find that if I go to the massage parlor, that makes me feel better. Of course, massage makes anyone feel better. Any other suggestions for neck and shoulder aches and pain other than the meds?
Hi Ronnie,
I too have a lot of neck pain. I use a lot of heat and that seems to help. It's difficult to move around with a heating pad so I use the disposable heat packs such as Thermacare. You can also find store brands that work just as well but I have included the website for Thermacare to give you an idea.
http://www.thermacare.com/neckarmwraps.jsp
These things have been a lifesaver for me and I hope this will help you too!
Teresa~
You need to take prescription strength folic acid every day but when you take the Metho. if you have alternate days you take it. It depletes your iron.