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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi All, I have just contacted my rheumatology department today to ask about the differences in Folic Acid doses. I have just been told that there is a change in the way it is taken. I have left a message for them to contact me asap as there is no point in changing the drugs if they don't tell the patients.  Seemingly the doctors have been informed but as yet I haven't heard anything. I think we all take enough tablets to be informed as soon as possible about any changes. Also I'm leaving a message for my doctor to call me back too. Lorna 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi All, I have had a call from rheumatology to tell me that there has been a change in National Guidelines. The dose in now 1 Folic Acid 24 hours after your usual dose of MTX. I told her it would have been nice to be informed. The doctors were seemingly told and advised to let patients know. As yet I have not been informed. I called the pharmacist too to see if they were aware: I noticed a message on my last prescription and I queried it, only to be told carry on as usual. I presume it should have started then. I suggest we all check with our doctors and see if they have been advised of this, mine is calling me today and I will now get on the appropriate dose. Hope this is a help to everyone. Lorna 
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 288 Location: LUTON
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Thank you,  i am due to pick up a px this afternoon not for f.acid, i wonder if there will be a note attached? i some how doubt it, its all so slow the sharing of info it makes me laugh. Anne-m xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi Lorna,
I collected my Folic Acid prescription yesterday and there was no new instructions attached to it.I'm still waiting for a return call from the rheumy nurse regarding F.Acid and hair loss. Initially I was told to take two F.Acid 24 hours after the MTX. Perhaps the amount of F.Acid you are prescribed is all dependant on recent blood tests.I know some members take one F.Acid every day except on the MTX day. This is so confusing for all of us. Brenda.x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi again, Just had a phone call from my rheumy nurse regarding Folic Acid.She said although there is new guidelines about the doses given not all surgeries may be aware of it and said that most consultants agree that a once weekly dose is the best option.However,the dose given all depends on your current blood test results.If your arthritis is active then a higher dose is required.Regarding hair loss and increasing Folic Acid,she is going to have a word with one of the consultants and will contact me again when she has an answer. Brenda.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Brenda, I was on the phone to my rheumatology nurse, she said that new studies have proven that 1, 5mg Tablet is enough 24 hours after the MTX. She said that we get more than women who are pregnant, they have done this on the side of caution, but now they are saying 1 tablet is enough. As Anne says it will probably take long enough to get the message around everyone. I didn't take mine today I will just stick to Sunday evening as she suggested. Hope the hair settles soon, I'm sure it will. Lorna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Thanks for this Lorna- that's more or less when I was told to take my FA too. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 90
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I take 2 tablets 5 days after mtx. Have been doing that for years.
Maybe I should phone my rheumy nurse? It is all so confusing.
Merete
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 52 Location: northern ireland
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i was told by my G.P to take 1 tablet 24 hrs after mtx that was last year
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Merete, Same here I was taking 6 per week until I enquired and was told as above. I think we should all have been told, each doctor says it was up to the other. Glad I am sorted out now. Lorna Hi Posie, According to my Rheumatology nurse you are on the National Guideline Dose. The aim being to get everyone the same, but it's obviously going to take some time. Lorna
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/5/2009
Posts: 103
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Hi Lorna, Have heard from my rheumy nurse today and after she had a word with a consultant regarding the hair loss,he suggested I double up my Folic Acid to 20mg a week(4 tabs in one go).Also I'm to try taking the F.Acid the day before I take the MTX not the day after.Can't understand what difference that will make! Perhaps other members take their F.Acid before the MTX,I'd be interested to know if they do. Brenda.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2010 Posts: 1,749 Location: Somerset
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Hello.
Although I am not on MTX now. When I was , I took the folic acid the day before
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/7/2009
Posts: 27
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Hi
i take mine every day except for mtx day and have not been told of any change - although I am not too good at remembering it anyway. Especially since I read on here how everybody seems to have different advice.
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/8/2010 Posts: 914
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Hi Sally, I did too, take it each day and it was only because everyone is different I called my Rhummy to be told about the new guidelines. I suggest you check with your Rhummy team as I would still be on the same had I not checked. No doubt all the doctors will get it sorted in time. I was told the aim was to get everyone the same everywhere. But when that will come off is anyones guess. Lorna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 856
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I was on folic acid before I started taking mtx as my folate levels were low anyway. I was on one 5mg tab a day. Now I'm on mtx I take 1 tab eveyday except the day I take mtx and the day after. So yet another variation!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/19/2010
Posts: 384
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I'm going to bring this up next time I see my doctor or rhummy, as since being diagnosed in May this year and prescribed 20mg MTX weekly both said that they didn't want to give me Folic acid as they wanted the MTX to work quicker.
Anne
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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/11/2010 Posts: 14
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how confusing. I have allways taken one tablet every day except the day i take the methetrexate. I have not been told to change this.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 838 Location: Nottinghamshire
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I think I've already mentioned somewhere that I take just the one 5mg folic acid tablet on a Monday. I take 15mg MTX on a Friday. I think I've been on MTX around 16 weeks now, so I suppose that my hospital is following the new guide lines. I was told that Monday was the day that the MTX would be at its optimum level in my system so I assume that is why I take the folic acid tablet on that day. The nurse told me that if I did have bad side affects from the MTX they would then increase my folic acid. Just wondering if the new thinking is to start with one tablet and just see what happens.
Paula
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