I would like to hear about anyone's experience with Methotrexate and how they did when they first began that drug......My lifestyle is crazy and I can't figure out how I will take it. I drive back and forth each week from Texas to Louisiana to work. Monday AM to Texas and Friday afternoon back to Louisiana......4 hours. My children all come home to see us each weekend. How many of you were ill after taking the methotrexate?
I know I am worrying about what hasn't even happened to me yet, but experienced patients are the best advocates for me. Most rheumy's aren't RA patients, so they can't possibly understand the fear and lifestyle changes this little monster causes.
Texas
oops I spelled it wrong......correction.....MethotrexateI've done very well with mtx. It doesn't make me feel ill or tired afterwards. Make sure you take folic acid with it...talk with your doctor about that.
Good luck!
Definately the Folic Acid helps with side effects. I still tend to get a little nauseous but only some weeks.I've taken it for years and I guess when I first started taking it I was more fatigued then I am now. I would suggest taking it on a Saturday night and then you'll have Sunday to rest if you need to.
I wouldn't suggest taking it and then having to drive all the way back to Texas the next day. Chance are you'll be fine.....but chances are just as good that you'd rather be curled up in your jammies watching a good movie.
I had upset stomach and overall blah feeling with the pills so switched to injectable. It didn't really make that much difference though. Doctor had me up the folic acid and am now doing better. I do, however, take it at night and make the next day a pj day.
I just feel dragged out. I take mine about 4 pm Friday, and feel "mushy" until about 1 pm saturday.. I guess if you MUST do something on a particular day don't take it the day/night before.
I've been on it 2 years and all the side effects have pretty much worn off. I used to get mouth sores but now seldom remember my folic acid and don't get them. I do occasionally get a little nauseous, but not often and I have had a twitchy tummy as long as I can remember.
Oh yeah; I have had an increase in mouth sores. I get fever blister type on the out side of my lips and I have noticed on a higher dose I get them more....and worse!
I hadn't had one in a while; but I go from 20mg to 25mg this week and I'm slightly worried about that.
I hate these things!
I was on high dose (27.5) for the better part of 18 years...the only side effccts I had was mild hair loss and a headache. It helps to drink plenty of water and to take the dose at night. If you do experience a stomach upset with the pills using the injectable forms often corrects this problemI have been on MTX for about a year and have next to nothing for side effects, knock on wood!As someone who is getting off of MTX because of the side effects, I will chime in here. At first, I was very ill....like morning sickness ALL DAY LONG for the better part of two days. I then started taking Zofran for the nausea/vomiting and it helped with the vomiting, but not the nausea,diarreha or GI cramps.(important to know if you plan on going anywhere without fast restroom access!) I eventually quit eating for the two days after taking my MTX and lost over 10lbs( not a diet I recommend) AFter many suggestions from this wonderful board and my Rheumy, I can tell you that it is better to take it all at once late in the afternoon, like at 4 or 5, so alot of the yuck is at night and hopefully you will sleep thru it. The fatigue can hit you like a mack truck. The diarreha you can take over the counter meds for, but I still wouldn't want to drive extended periods until I knew how it was going to go.
Mine is a yuck scenario. Many people handle it very well, others handle it even worse than I do. It totally varies from on individual to the next and you won't know how you are going to handle it until you take it. I second the suggestion that you take it over the weekend when you aren't obligated to be functional until you know how you will react!
Here's my post from last week, with my MTX experience. I still haven't called the Rheumy - not sure why -- but haven't flared up in response to STOPPING, which is great. If you want to see more MTX conversation, find the thread from last week called 'I QUIT MTX TODAY'.... all blessing to you as you walk in health!!!