so i was diagnosed a few months back with PA. similar to RA. My Rheumy prescribed MTX. First i couldnt take it because i had a ear infection and sinus inf. than had to have a second round of ABX. because it didnt go away the first round. So now i should take it. well problem..... I am so scared to. i keep finding reasons not to, like i have to work tomorrow etc. i have it ingrained in my head that it will lay me out for two days with many side effects. Can you guys give me a little encouragement to take these stupid pills? Its not like i am going to be jumping out of a plane. my new year resolution was to start taking them. Can you believe that, what kind of new years resolution is that, that is how much of a big deal i am making this whole thing in my head! I think i need someone to shove them down my thraot. I know you cant do that but maybe some words of wisdom or some strait talk will help me take the plunge. thanks for your support.
kelly
I do the shots of mtx Friday night. I do get dizzy and nauseous, so I would suggest taking them before bed. Its funny because Saturdays as usually my best day but Sundays I sleep all day. Be sure to drinks lots of water, it helps with the side effects! I have heard that the pills can cause some gi upset so you may want to have some anti-diarrhea pills on hand, just in case!I really am glad for MTX. It is the missing puzzle piece that lets me feel better. I need 20 mg a week along with the Remicade or the Remicade doesn't work..
Hi Kelly,
I think the main thing to bear in mind is that everyone reacts differently to every drug - some people can't tolerate paracetamol or aspirin, others have no problem with it. The only way you will know how your body will react is to try it! Take it and see how it goes, when I started I built up the dose (on advice from my Dr) from 5mg to 7.5 the next week, 10 the week after etc. I now take 7.5mg every week to go with my Infliximab as at that level I have virtually no side effects, higher doses gave me a little tiredness for a day or so and some nausea. My har has definately thinned a little but I don't have any bald patches. The folic acid helps with side effects, I take 5mg 6 days a week. I take it at 8pmish so if I do feel ill I can just go to bed, on a Monday so it doesn't interfere with my social life (which isn't too exciting anyway!). If you don't try it you'll never know and will always wonder if it could have helped. Remember that you won't see an immediate improvement so you'll need to give it a chance. At my hosp we have a MTX advice line so you can call if you've got a query, otherwise if you're worried get a GP appt adn tell them it's urgent!
Good luck with it - if you can cope with the pain, stress and fatigue caused by your PA I am certain that you're brave enough to take a couple of teeny tiny tablets!
KT
Hi Kelly
I know how scarey it can be. I was just like you about 15 years ago. I kept putting it off as well. I eventually had to take the mtx....I was so sore and could barely move.
I've now been taking mtx for 15 years and it's really helped me. I've not had any bad side effects either. It doesn't make me tired or nauseated and I've had no mouth sores. Just make sure to take folic acid and remember to get your monthly bloodwork done.
Good Luck!
Kelly
Kelly--
You have a choice.......stay in pain and continue with damage from the PA and get to the point that you can't function. Or take the medication and just maybe you'll get relief from the pain, stop the damage, and not get to the point that you can't function.
I have PA along with RA/OA and the PA pain is worse and the damage is worse than the RA. I was homebound and could barely function until I started MXT and Remicade. I was thrilled to take MXT and get relief and even happier to start Remicade.
I'm not good at hand holding, so just take the pills before the pain and damage become so great that you need to take a drug like Remicade. I'd be thrilled if all I had to take was MXT.
I had few side effects. Some fatigue the next day. I take 20 mg. about 4 p.m. and sleep through the night. Good luck, I know it's a hard decision to make.
A little nausea is nothing compared with the pain, don't you think? MTX has helped so many of us by taking away the pain and helping to keep the disease under control, so go for it!. Once it kicks in you'll start feeling better. There can be side effects, sure, but many of us pushed through that and eventually the side effects went away. As for the liver etc, if you're also taking folic acid and having regular blood tests they should pick up any problems in plenty of time.
If you are going to have really severe reactions to MTX they'll simply take you off it but you owe it to yourself to at least try MTX for a couple of months. So, shut your eyes and swallow those little yellow pills. THey could be just what you need. Good luck.
MTX has been around for awhile so there is A LOT known about it.When the dr. said he was going to put me on Mtx, I didn't even blink an eye. I was SO miserable, I probably would have done anything (within reason). Like most have said here, everyone reacts differently. I didn't have many problems with the oral Mtx, except heartburn and mouth ulcers. I switched to injectibles. I must say that I'm a little goofy the next day (I take it at night). But, a combination of Pred, Mtx and Enbrel and I finally feel better than I have in a long, long time. I'm finally decreasing my Pred and I'm able to get on with my life instead of being all consumed with the pain.
Mtx has been around for a long time. Keep up with your labs and if it doesn't work for you, there are other things to try.
We'll be here to support you every step of the way!
Phatgirl I have been taking MTX for several months now without any side effects. I started on 7.5 mg. The doctor raised it to 10 mg. I had almost immediate improve which is I guess is unusual. I am close to 100% although I do have bad days. I find myself doing things and saying to myself....remember when you couldn't walk up those stairs or remember when you couldn't lift that object. I never hesitated in my decision to take MTX. It has changed the quality of my life.
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