Hi, a newbie here.
I just started Plaquenil last night and except for a bit a queasiness this morning after the a.m. dose, all is well. Friday I start with 10mg. of MTX, gradually increasing to 20 mg. Those of you on MTX, when did you start the folic acid? Should I start now or wait until I start the MTX? This seems like a small problem. I'm saving my doctor calls for the bigger issues that may come up later (but I'm hoping there won't be any!) Thanks for your help. These boards are going to be a hugh help in dealing with this new health issue in my life.
The same day. Yes, there's no reason to start the folic acid until you actually take your first dose of MTX.
If you are taking your MTX once a week, alot of us have found that Saturday afternoons/evening is the best time as you sleep off most of the side effects and have Sunday to recover. I personally do NOT take my folic acid on my MTX Saturday, but that's a choice, nothing I have discussed with the MDs. Good luck.
After a year of MTX and folic acid, I was just put on Plaquenil and am finally starting to feel and see some relief in symptoms and actual decrease in inflammation sites. These doctors drive me crazy with their inconsistencies. And I have MCTD, RA, lupus, scleroderma, polymysitis, inflammation anemia, overlap, differential doctor's diaganostic disease, Hashimotos, HSV-1, rhupus, plus a few others, including in-utero DES (folic acid is connected to cervical dysplasia). Why wouldn't my rheumy RX Plaquenil in the beginning? Guess they like us to suffer a little more? I digress. Take care ~~
Do not take your folic acid the same day as your MTX. The MTX will just stop your body absorbing the folic acid. You will need to contact your doc to find out how much and in what manner they wants you to take your folic acid. I'm on 7.5mg MTX and take 5mg folic acid twice a week. I take 5mg folic acid 48 hours after the MTX and again after 72 hours but I have read loads of different patterns here on the forum, so check with your doc.Definitely check with your doc. Mine has me taking the folic acid every day including the day I take the MTX. It seems to work for me.
Chris067...you're in Ireland? I've always wanted to go there, I'm quite jealous. I'm Scotch Irish. Sorry, off topic.
I've always taken the folic acid every day, even the methotraxate day. The dr kept me on it even after I went off of it.I think it doesn't hurt to take folic acid on mtx day, it just doesn't get absorbed so it's a waste. I'm on 20mg mtx and I take 5mg folic acid the other 6 days of the week.I'M ON 20 MG OF MTX AND MY RD SAID I DON'T NEED TO TAKE FOLIC ACID UNLESS I HAD MOUTH SORES FROM IT. HE CLAIMS IT JUST WEAKENS THE AFFECTAVNESS OF THE MTX.
My understanding of folic acid is that we need to take it with mtx. And on the same day and every day. I take 15 mtx a week and 1mg. of folic. Wikipedia is a good source of info on folic acid and our need for it in our bodies, and mtx .and tht it destroys it, etc. lv, sarah
Oh my gosh, I just now saw your responses. Thank you all. Is there any way to get e-mail notification of responses? I thought no one had answered and I didn't check the thread again until today. I ended up starting the FA the day before my first dose. Had my second MTX dose today and so far so good. Thank you for your help. I'll check back here to see if anyone can advise me how to get e-mail notification of responses. I didn't see that choice anywhere when I signed up. It would be so helpful. My doctor just told me to avoid losing hair take 4 mg tabs of folic acid the day after I take the MTX and to then do one every other day. Taking only 7 tablet for an entire week. So, just 7mg weekly.