methotrexate

richy

hi guys, after many days as an outpatient seeing the rhumy, getting chest x rays, also feet hands and knees, and being asked to go and take a eye test, and many blood tests, mostly for a fundus eye check, i will be getting my meds, (at last) the steroids havent worn off yet (thank god) but its got to be said, nhs staff, doctors nurses are fantastic, i,ve been in three hospitals this week, what lovley people, (bearing in mind its been 20 odd years since ive needed to use the nhs)
my consultant even said, if you need another steroid jab before we can get you on meds just ask,

anyhoo i was just wondering about the side affects, yeah ive read up on it, but id like your input please,

i have no choice but to take these meds, its all a bit scary at the mo, cheers guys,,,

richy

no choice means, ive been sleeping downstairs, because i cant get down the stairs most mornings, ive had to sell my car and buy a auto, because i cant push the clutch in on a bad day,,, i also had to buy a pair of shoes 3 sizes to big for when my ankles swell up,,,
im dreading the winter already, thats when everything stops working, i have to microwave water in a small cup to make a cup of tea, as i cant pick the kettle up, or get the top off the milk, i usualy have to stab the screw off top with a knife, lol,,,

frogmorton

HI Richy

Good to hear how you are and see you again.

Sounds like you have had a great response - and quite right too I think your arthritis is totally out of control isn't it?

There are lots of MTX threads on here if you have time to look at them you can do a 'search' (top-ish right on this page).

Some folks do report nausea and sickness on here, but some folks have no problems at ALL. You may well be one of those. Like most DMARDs it will take a while to get into your system so no overnight miracles.

I expect the doc has also prescribed you something called folic acid to take? If needs be you can get anti-emetics(sp) (and sickness) drugs from your GP.

If you are unlucky and do get the sickness most folks report it lessening once they get used to it.

Let's hope this is the drug for you and it will soon dampen down the disease and you will be back using your stairs and kettle etc again very soon. If not there is a thread near the top of this page which might help with some tips others have found useful

Richy when are you back to see the rheumy or specialist rheumy nurse? I only ask as you may yet want another steroid jab while the MTX gets into your system.

Love

Toni xx

stickywicket

I go along with all that frog's said, richy.

I've been on meth and hydroxychloroquine (They're often combined) for over ten years with no real side-effects other than sometimes, the day after I take the meth, or the day after that, I can feel very tired. The folic acid, which you'll be given with it, is to prevent the worst of the side-effects and, although I only take it on two days, some take it virtually every day. Be guided by your consultant.

I never bother much about side effects. I look at them when first prescribed something and then forget about them. If we worried too much about them we'd never take anything. However, I do try to remember that meth works by lowering the immune system so I do try vaguely to avoid people with colds as we are more susceptible and they can take longer to shake off.

You may find with kettles and other household stuff that you need to buy a new one. There are very few I can use now. I need a lightweight, cordless, jug kettle that opens wide and will allow me to hold the bottom(!) with my other hand for balance. Similarly, there are gadgets for opening all sorts of things. I have an electric jar opener and a power grip thingy for fruit juice cartons. And Mr SW for the wine bottles Read our 'Simple Ideas....' thread. It has some good pointers.

I hope the meth works for you. You might need that extra jab if it doesn't work immediately. Good luck!

LignumVitae

Good luck with the mtx, it's worked wonders for me. Mouth ulcers and nausea were both a problem but increasing the folic acid sorted the ulcers and the nausea was cope able for the impact that methotrexate had. If you are struggling at home you could ask for a referral to the OTs, they helped me lots, simple things like cooking pasta in a in pan steamer so you can just pull it out rather than trying to drain boiling hot water when your joints don't work has made life much easier for me! Decant milk into jugs and always keep the bottom corner on the surface so you take no weight can help too. Let us know how you go, pleased that help is coming your way and beware it can take a while for mtx to work as Sticky says.
LV

archaeobard

Hi Richy,

I've been on MTX for about 10 and a half years. Sometimes I get a mouth ulcer and a slight queasy stomach but it goes pretty quickly.

When I first started MTX the list of side effects scared me half to death, but remember that pharmaceutical companies need to list everything just in case and generally the dose for arthritis is really low in comparison to dosage prescribed for cancer so the side effects are far fewer.

I wish you luck! A combination of MTX and Enbrel got my RA under control, so finger crossed (if you can), that it helps you.

Kat

richy

I wish you luck! A combination of MTX and Enbrel got my RA under control, so finger crossed (if you can), that it helps you.

thanks everyone,
the rumey nurse insisted on a eye test report of my fundus (optical nerve) and chest xrays before she would give me ether meth or hydroxychoroquine, so i had that done asap, and hand delivered the report to the hospital myself,

my consultant has told me any problems just make an appointment to see him, and if i need that 2nd jab,,,,,
so im just waiting for a letter to attend the hospital again off him,,

the nurse said when we get the reports back were going to hit this hard and fast
thankyou for you support guys,,,

arfaitis

I have been on MTX now for 13 years, a bit of a glitch to start with, but once I was balanced it is fine.
I am now only on 7.5 mg. per week, but I only take it to combat the side effects of rituximab.
But I am great, I am in my 3rd year of remission and feel great, I also take folic daily except MTX day to combat any side effects of rituximab.
It seem we always have to take one drug to combat another, but I don't mind, it is nice being able to have my life back.

Arfa

richy

good for you,,, im happy for you,,,
im not on any meds yet, but you should have seen the state of me when i saw the consultant, even he was shocked, i could hardly walk, while in his room he said take a seat, i said if i do that you,l have to help me up out of it,
i swear i never understood arthritis could be so painfull or how much of a nasty disease it is,,,
and the pain day after day makes you soooo down,
cheers for you time,,,,,,,richy

dreamdaisy

I'm on injected meth and have very little trouble with it. I also take a fair few other things to help with the PsA (and BP tablets because that went up thanks to one of the meds :roll: ) but they don't touch the pain because that is caused by OA due to joint damamge. You are hopefully getting the meds in before joint damage occurs so they may well ease your pain too - I hope so. Good luck and let us know how you get on, yes? I wish you well. DD

julie47

Hi Richy

I am on methotrexate,Leflu,hydroxy,celebrex,folic,amytrip.

They have been a good combination for me and I hope the meth and hydroxy are for you too

love juliepf x