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HI guys, I am currently taking MTX and have been now for approx 14 weeks on and off, my ESR started to come down and the Dr was pleased but now it has gone back up to 36 and she seems to think that because we have this problem consistently that there may be an underlying problem as well as the RA that causes high ESR, any ideas?  All I know is my joints hurt, I am very fatigued and I am getiing bad tummies and diarrheoa from the MTX, and irritability and depression.  I lost my mum recently and wondered could emotional pain cause a rise?  Thanks for any advice. Janie.    I am taking folic acid to counteract the side effects and my Doc said folinic acid is not really any different and most rheumys prescribe folic acid so she would stick with that.

Ohhh (((Jane))) I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum.

What do you mean on and off the mtx?  did you get an infection or do the side effects get to be too overwhelming for you?  Sometimes those side effects can do that to a person. 

Emotional pain and stress I believe affects us.  I stress too much and it will throw me right into a flare. 

What about switching from the pills to injecting the mtx?  Most of the time it avoids the bad tummy stuff we get from the pills.  Maybe the irritability is stemming from the side effects of the mtx?  I do not get depressed after my shot...it is more I am fatigued the day after.  But I got rid of the tummy problems when I started injecting and that was wonderful! 

Thanks alot Gramma, yes I had some terrible infections, originally when I took MTX but this time around I was in the UK for my Mums passing and funeral etc and there were colds and flus bugs and chills all over the place, so my GP and I decided to take a break as I usually end up in hosp with severe chest infections/asthma.  I may go back to injecting as I tried that for a while before and think it helped until I became intolerant again,  but it has now been 9 weeks since I went back on it since the UK trip and this is whats happening, but I increased from 5mg mon and Thurs to 7.5 mg Mon and Thurs last Thurs, couldn't take it today due to bad tummy all weekend.  Will be going to Rheumy next Weds for some guidance.  Thanks for your regular input and I am so glad you are feeling better love Janie. 
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