|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 235
|
Hi all, I have an appt on Weds with the Rheumy nurse to start Methotrexate. Does anyone have any tips for taking it, or any advice about anything I should know?
Thanks
Deb x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,689 Location: Durham
|
Hi Deb, I always used to take it with my evening meal, so that I would be asleep for any side effects, like nausea, and I drank plenty of water. If it does make you sick, you can get something from your GP. I think it was metaclopramide (sp?) he gave me, but once I got used to the MTX I didn`t need the anti-sickness tablets. Good luck, and I hope it works for you. Kathleen x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 58
|
hi i take this and have not had any side effects thank goodness. i must also say that this has made more mobile i love it. good luck with yours
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
|
Hi Deb,
I take it in the evening too.
I take it witj lots of water and then have a yoghurt drink.
Good luck with it.
Doreen xx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
|
Hi Deb,
All of the above too! I always take at night and after a meal. I use a distraction technigue, like tapestry or reading a book or chatting to Mark.
They titrate the dose very carefully and monitor very well...
Remember a good dose of folic acid too..
Much Love,
Amanda
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 351
|
I'd taken MTX for about 26 years, then had to stop due to low white count and subsequent THR infection, but have recommenced 3 weeks ago. During that time I had no problems, except occasional nausea. I've started off on low dose 5mg with fortnightly bloods and have now increased to 10mg weekly. If next bloods ok I'll increase to 15mg. I take it on a Saturday evening, about 9.30pm, 2 hours after a meal (as per Dr. Stewart's instructions!). I haven't had any nausea on a small dose ... yet, but used to when I took a higher dose. It's important you have regular blood tests, as requested by your Rheumy/GP/Rheumy Nurse in case there's any abnormal results and you need to reduce your dose or stop it completely. You may be prescribed Folic Acid to take once a week, a couple of days after you take MTX. Doctors have different opinions about this. Carol
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 854
|
Plain yoghurt before taking it in the evening. Folic Acid 5mg every day except for the day you take MTX.
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 1,035
Location: in a house
|
i take it every Monday morning no promlems with pleanty of breakfast i take folic acid every thursday morning no promlems some people only have it once a week some every day . The only side effets where in the very earley days when it made me feel wried and sleepy but that was gone before the 12 weeks . took 12 weeks to kick in . i have only ever missed it twice in 2 years due to catching a bug then i left it off yes it works wonders for me christine  The chocolate eating housewife ...The washer woman .....naughty lady
|
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009
Posts: 7
|
Hi
In week five of taking 10mgs weekly, with folic acid day before and after, first couple of weeks felt quick sickly and on the loo a lot on the day, but that appears to have settled, although having read this may well take advice and take at night rather than first thing after breakfast.........
Still suffer greatly with nausea from the side kick drugs taken daily affects of which seems to differ with different foods, so learning process.
Have yet to feel affects of either drug ( i think....) but early days and fingers and anything else i can cross crossed.
Issy
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 235
|
Thanks, my appt with the Rheumy nurse is this morning. Its a bit silly but I am really nervous!!!!! Will let you know how I get on. Thanks for the tips its reassuring!
Deb x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
ISSY - have you asked your GP for a stomach protector? Many of us have something, as the combination of daily/weekly drugs can affect tums!
CAROL - do you find it has helped to take the mtx a couple of hours after food? Reason I ask is that I normally take mine just after food. Do you find it helps to wait until the food has settled?
Love to all
Jeanxxxxxx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 327
|
I take mine after evening meal on Tuesdays, then folic acid on Thursday. I've only been on it a year (it was added to the other drugs I was already taking) and did experience slight nausea for a while, but that's pretty much worn off now.
Anthea
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
|
Debbie- thanks for posting this- it's been helpful for me to read as my rheumy was talking about putting me on it if the increased doses of sulf don't work.
Maria
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 351
|
jeanb wrote:
CAROL - do you find it has helped to take the mtx a couple of hours after food? Reason I ask is that I normally take mine just after food. Do you find it helps to wait until the food has settled?
Love to all
Jeanxxxxxx
I used to take MTX after breakfast for about 25 years until we had a new pharmacy open in the village. I was invited to go along and discuss my drugs with the pharmacist and she recommended I take it in the evening to sleep off any nausea. She also told me I should have been on folic acid. It was Stewart who told me a few weeks ago when I re-started MTX to take it a couple of hours after evening meal. I've only been taking 5mg weekly and last Sat. 10mg, and haven't noticed any nausea at all this way. Carol
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 235
|
I had my appt today and my liver result which should be 30 is now 126 and so I can't start the MTX. I have had to have it retested and wait for results. Apparently it isn't anything I have done, it just happens?  So will be contacted when I am back from hols to see what happens next. I wonder if it is all the pain meds I have been taking. Always something, never mind. Thanks for everyones advice. Deb x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,006 Location: Timperley
|
Thanks, Carol. Will try this next time
Jxxxx
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 327
|
Sorry, Debbie, that you've got this further problem. Hope things get sorted for you soon.
Anthea x
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 336
|
Hi Debbie, it is a shame realy, you had yourself all prepared for it and then couldn't go ahead, bit of a let down for you. to look on the bright side you know that you won't have to be waiting for any reactions so you can go ahead and enjoy your Christmas.Glenys x
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,740
|
Hi Lovely Debbie so sorry your liver gone up high so u cartn start yet. mines simialr dropping slowly. i also thought extra pain meds. u take care hun u must be feeling such pain. lv melly  cuddly cats make my world seem so much more fun
|
|
|
|
Rank: Newbie
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 2
|
I've just been prescribed mtx by my doctor following a flare (which has now faded again) and I am hesitating to start on it because it just seems such a strong drug - that and the thought of having to restrict myself to 1 unit of alcohol a day once I'm on it, in the run-up to Xmas! Feel like I'm being a complete wimp here. Not sure what happens to you if you slip up and drink more than a unit a day. Not that I'm a big drinker, but it just sounds scary!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
