Methotrexate

[PrincessDi]

I read the posts daily on this site and find it extremely valuable. Thanks everyone for giving out such good advice.

I started taking methotrexate today - I am waiting for the side effects to kick in. Do most people feel nasueous on the day/day after? I am not quite sure what to expect.

For the last week or so my arms have been extremely tired and sore. I just don't know what to do with them. I don't have arthritis - this is like a muscular ache.

When the doctor put me on methotrexate there were 6 trainee doctors and nurses in the room as well so, apart from being shocked at being put on the drug because I thought I was doing quite well, I didn't ask any questions. Can you answer some questions for me:

Firstly, what benefit would my doctor think putting me on methotrexate will have? Will it make me feel better or is the idea for it to reduce my MCTD getting worse?

Secondly, can I continue to take over the counter painkillers or should I avoid certains drugs. I know aspirin is a no go area while on the drug but that is all.

And thirdly, my doctor has said that I can have 2 standard drinks a week while on this drug. What would happen if I had a couple of extra every now and then?

Thanks heaps for taking the time to help me.

[kimb]

style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif Hi Di!
I have been on Methotrexate for about 4 months. At first, I take them (10mg) every Thursday. About Saturday I would feel a little weak and tired. That was for about 4 weeks. After that, no problem. But....I am also taking Prednisone, and Colchicine(anti-inflam). My doctor gave me this advice- no caffine, style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/coffee.gif have my blood checked every 6 weeks.
What kind of dose are you on? I have read where others have been on it for years.
Sorry I couldnt give you more info. Do check it out on the prescription websites.
Good luck, DI!
kimb

Oh, Di-
I take folic acid to help ease the nausea, if I got it.
kimb

[Sally-Jane]

Hello there,

All medications take a while to kick in.
I have been on metho for 7 years now without a break and for a year I have been self- injecting it because I did find it upset my stomach quite a bit as time went on.

The reason you have to be careful with drinking is because metho puts a strain on the liver and any added pressure is best avoided.
Also, you should have a blood test once a month to check your liver.

If you do feel alittle nausious then I find eating ginger (those little square bits) you can get from any health store realy helped. Also, if you are taking the tablets make sure you have eaten something just before as taking them on an empty stomach can aggravate things.

Of course, we are all different, and you may find you are fine...I hope so!

I too, like you, have been surrounded by trainee doctors. I always find it quite funny as they always look so serious. But it is also a great thing that there are so many new and upcoming future doctors willing to learn about Lupus.

Metho is sometimes used to try to reduce the dependancy on steriods for many lupus sufferers. Again, I still have a dependancy on those but looking back over the years of being on metho I can definately see an improvement in mobilty....the pain comes and goes but we can't expect miricles (although it would be nice..lol)

I do take pain-killers now and then but not Asprin as this makes things worse for me personally.
On that score I would ask a doctors advise.

I wish you lots of luck with your new medication....look after yourself and I truely hope that it works well for you.

Best wishes,

Sally style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wavey.gif

[PrincessDi]

Thanks for your responses. They are really helpful.

[chantal]

ive only taken three dosages of it so far i take it once a week with a shot, i havent felt too bad so far, i do have headaches and feel sore, and my doctor didnt say nething about caffene but she did say NO alcohal at all
i hope u dont feel sick off of it
style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/foryou.gif

[raggedyann1]

Di,

I had nausea about 18 hours later the first few weeks and then a week or two with each dosage increase. Apart from that I have had no problems with methotrexate. I will honest and admit I still drink coffee but have been reducing the amount in recent months. I still have to take low dose asprin for my raynauds. I am not aware of any medications being contra-indicated with methotrexate. A good site to check out your meds and possible interactions is http://www.drugdigest.org They will even give you interactions with OTC meds. Methotrexate usually starts working in about 4 weeks.

Methotrexate is chemotherapy that we take in much lower doses than when it is used to treat cancer. It is considered a Steroid Sparing, Disease Modifying Drug. It is known to work real well with pain in connective tissue diseases. It is rarely prescribed for people with internal organ involvement.

I have been back on methotrexate for over 3 years now. I was originally on it for 5 years or so in the early to mid nineties. I stopped taking it when I went into remission.

http://www.uklupus.co.uk/cyto.html This takes you to the page on our main site that discusses methotrexate and other immune suppressing meds. I am surprised your doctor didn't give you a brochure on medication.

Another good site for lupus medications is http://www.lupus.org

Take care,
Karen

[momto3]

I have been taking methotrexate for about 10 months now. I started on a low dose (10mg) and am up to (17 mg) now. It has given me so much of my life back and has eased so much of my pain. It took several months to find the right dose. I just replied a post about nausea and the methotrexate.... it helped me to take it just before I fell asleep and then I would sleep through the nausea. I also stopped taking my other meds with it. It would burn my stomach and make so sick. I felt much relief once the dose was increased, as well. My rheumy also suggested breaking it up into 2 parts in a 24 hour period, but this didn't help me much.

I take Celebrex to reduce the inflamation as well, once a day, up to 3 times if needed. Most days I only need it once. I also take Folic Acid, my rheumy said this was to prevent the side effects like hairloss, but that it is an acid and could cause some nausea.

I have a drink occassionally when I am in a social situation, sometimes 2 drinks, and I haven't had a problem. One night I was out with friends and drank too much, I think I was escaping the misery, and I did wake up with blood in my urine, so be careful. Not proud of it, but it was a lesson learned. I still drink caffeine and take a baby aspirin every day for my Lupus anticoagulant, or whatever that is called.

Stick with it---it works and will level out! That's my personal experience. I have even been able to start a moderate exercise program with out suffering the next day.

Happy Days!