MTX - First Dose

jackie1955
jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
edited 19. Apr 2009, 15:43 in Living with Arthritis archive
Well very, very nervously had first dose at teatime yesterday.

Not sure if I had any after-effects or it was just due to my nerves!

After about 30 mins: Tongue/mouth went very dry, had a drink and sucked some fruit sweets.

Felt like I needed to 'burp' and tummy felt 'fizzy'?

1 hr later: Needed the loo.

Later in the evening: Slight heavy feeling in head, but not headache as such.

Slept soundly like a log ( :!: ) only woke once but immediately fell back into a deep sleep.

This morning - felt a bit 'heavy' and stiff but I didn't take my bedtime Diclofenac cos I didn't know if I could?????? Also maybe a little tired! I DO have a 'thick' throat, but my OH had that last week along with a cold...........

Ok, so just wondering if you veterans think any of this sounds like MTX effects or just nerves?

Any advice appreciated, Jackie x

Comments

  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    jackie1955 wrote:
    Ok, so just wondering if you veterans think any of this sounds like MTX effects or just nerves?

    Any advice appreciated, Jackie x

    Yes and yes.

    I usually take my MTX last thing at night with a very light snack, so that I sleep through the immediate after effects. Then the dose of Folic Acid 24 hours later to stop the MTX and sleep again.
    That way you miss out on all the fun. f030.gif

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • jackie1955
    jackie1955 Member Posts: 632
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Joseph, Thanks for reply.

    Am interested in what you've put about the folic acid stopping the effect of the MTX?

    I'm going to ask about this at the hospital, I am quite confused now about the MTX and the Folic Acid!

    Jackie x
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi Jackie
    MTX is a Chemotherapy drug that prevents cell reproduction and can give you lots of other side effects Folic acid is one of the main vitamins that help combat all the side effects you can get. If you google “methotrexate and folic acid” it will explain it all to you.
    Colin
  • madgirlzzz
    madgirlzzz Member Posts: 32
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, I do the same as Joseph. take my methetrexate just before bed with snack and drink, therefore miss out on any side effects and sitting thinking have I got any side effects!!!
    Funny what advice we all have about folic acid. When i first started methetrexate was told to take one day before. I now take one day before and one day after. and am allowed to take everyday as long as not on methetrexate day! as apparently helps my stomach! x
  • livinglegend
    livinglegend Member Posts: 1,425
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    The authors recommend a single dose of 5 mg of folic acid once per week, taken on the morning after methotrexate dosing.

    “there seem to be as many different regimes of folic acid administration as there are rheumatology departments”.

    http://www.auspharmlist.net.au/ebulletin/vol25/eb25-9.pdf

    By taking folic acid the side effects from methotrexate will be reduced. You take your pick apparently and ask at your next Rheumy appointment.
    p040.gif

    Just found an MTX patient leaflet at www.npsa.nhs.uk/EasySiteWeb/GatewayLink.aspx?alId=1582

    Joseph 8)
    Josephm0310.gif
  • debatat
    debatat Member Posts: 659
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Jackie, hope you are doing ok, and that the side effects are not to troublesome.

    Take care

    Deb
  • megmot
    megmot Member Posts: 26
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi I have been on 7.5mg of mtx and folic acid the rest of the week, had my fourth dose thursday gone and no side affects i have asked for it to be uped and the nurse said you will not feel any benefits now as it taakes three months to get into sistem ? but i have got to go back to work and she told me to see gp and up pain killers.

    hope you do not get to many side affects it is somthing you could well do with out.

    Meg x :)
  • daisychain
    daisychain Member Posts: 29
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    jackie1955 wrote:
    Well very, very nervously had first dose at teatime yesterday.

    Not sure if I had any after-effects or it was just due to my nerves!

    After about 30 mins: Tongue/mouth went very dry, had a drink and sucked some fruit sweets.

    Felt like I needed to 'burp' and tummy felt 'fizzy'?

    1 hr later: Needed the loo.

    Later in the evening: Slight heavy feeling in head, but not headache as such.

    Slept soundly like a log ( :!: ) only woke once but immediately fell back into a deep sleep.

    This morning - felt a bit 'heavy' and stiff but I didn't take my bedtime Diclofenac cos I didn't know if I could?????? Also maybe a little tired! I DO have a 'thick' throat, but my OH had that last week along with a cold...........

    Ok, so just wondering if you veterans think any of this sounds like MTX effects or just nerves?

    Any advice appreciated, Jackie x

    Hi Jackie,

    I have been very interested to read your posts as I took my first dose of Mtx (10mg) on Friday evening having taken 5mg of folic acid 24 hours earlier. I was Very very nervous abot starting this drug but felt I simply had to take the plunge. So far so good and I am hoping it will continue that way but I am not sure what the usual pattern is after you have been taking it for few weeks.

    Anyway I wish you all the Best and Thanks for your posts.

    Regards, Daisychain x




Categories