i went to the rheumy today, she put me on Methylprednisone 4mg pack. how is this different from prdnisone? Than after that i take 5mg pred. every day.Has anyone been on these and had bad side effects? what can i expect from them? she also put me on mtx. injectable, does anyone know if that is IM or Subq? where do you guys give yourself the shot? This whole disease, and medication stuff is very overwhelming me at the moment.
kel
Its not different..its just dosed differently. She is giving yoiu a several day boost of your overall pred dose to help control a flare. Same side effects as your normal pred.
MTX is generally given subq...its easiest in the thigh or stomach.
Hi Kel, Yes it is given subq. I was advised to give myself the shot in the inner thigh. They said the outer thigh has too much muscle.
When I did it on the inner thigh, I didn't pinch up the skin. Just clean off a nice "fatty" spot, and stick it straight in. I couldn't even feel the injection.
Did anyone go thru the injections with you?? Someone should have shown you how to fill the syringe and how to check for blood in it. I went in to my Rheumy's office for my first one so they could check me out on it.
Good luck, I hope everything works out well for you!
Gentle hugs,
Nini
the pharmacist was sure it was IM shot to be given. i dont know if i can trust her now. she is calling my doc tomorrow to verify. the reumy i go to is 30minuites away. I am a nurse and have frinds that ar nurses, i thought i could vigure it out on mu own. Sorry,i took a ambien 10minutes ago and my typing is awful!:)i dont want to imject weekly witn an IM needle.MTX can be IM or subQ. Definitely ask for the subQ!i found out i can take it sub-q. so tomorrow is the first day i will take mtx. have been putting this off for several months. In a way i am exited, becasue just maybe i may feel better than i have in a very long time:) wish me luck guys, i will update after i do the first injection.
thanks all, kel
The tip I received for the sub-q MTX injections is to vary the injection site in my tummy fat. One week to the right of my navel, next week above, next week to the left, next week below, and so on in a circle. I guess this is to reduce over-use of the injection site. Honestly, I mostly just alternate between left and right of my navel and I haven't had any problems.