Methotrexate, getting started, what tests are required etc..

pols090607

Hi,

Can anyone on Methotrexate tell me how they got started on it, the tests they entailed beforehand, what tests to expect whilst taking the drug, how often and what dose you started on and what benefit it has had on your condition (if any).

I am more than likely going to get started with it at my app on Thur so would like to be pretty clued up on what to expect.

Thanks so much and sorry for the many, many questions.

Paula xxxx

skezier

Hi Paula,

I started it just 3 weeks ago and its already helping with bits of me and I have been very lucky and not getting much side effect ether so good luck firstly.

I had to have another chest xray before taking it and now have weekly blood tests for a month and as long as they are ok then it goes to 3 monthly down here but I think after the weekly ones some Rumo's do it slightly differently.

Don't get worried about having it but take it before bed (that's what these good folks told e and its the best way) and fingers crossed you will find it a good one for you. Take care Cris x

cthornley

hi Paula

I have been on MTX 8yrs now - I had a chest x-ray at the beginning,
started monitoring weekly , then moved to monthly, now 2 monthly, this entails going to hospital/ drs surgery clinic and having blood tests which are recorded in a book which i take for any medical visits I have. its a bit of a drag but you get very used to it

I started on 5mg and moved up very gradually at intervals to 20mg (quite high dose i think) which works for me (everybody is different) ...you also need to take Folic acid (u will be prescribed this) a few days later (v. important) it counteracts some of the side effects and is essential as the MTX depletes it from your body's reserves.

It has been a huge benefit to my condition and to be honest I credit it with giving me my life back. It made me well enough to contemplate having a child (which i had to come of the meds to have) almost 2 yrs ago and complete uni and hold down a very demanding job , I also have very little joint damage - I was diagnosed 12 yrs ago and have it everywhere except my spine & jaw...I have only had 1 minor op in this time on my hip and that was more due to overdoing it with having a baby whilst not on meds. I have been lucky as i have had little prob's with side effects which is good because i am yet to find an anti - inflammatory that i get on with for more than a few weeks at a time ( which means i've been through a fair few in 12yrs)

As I said it works for me but it can take a long time to get settled on a dose that work for you, so can require a little patience...and that said some people really don't get on with it.

Hope that helps & Good luck
chrissie

kevlar

Very interesting replies people, thanks Lynn & Chrissie

I'll be starting on MTX myself shortly (after an as yet unbooked CT scan) so very relevant for me.

I'm hoping for a dramatic improvement in my condition (fingers crossed) and as some of you have obviously found this to be the case I'm quite optomistic.

Good luck to you Paula, hope it works out well for you too.

Kevin xx

ps. when I say 'fingers crossed' thats for those of us that can manage to cross our fingers!!