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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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Hi Everyone - since the 2nd June my meds have been increased and a new tablet introduced (mtx is now 8 per week and 2 hydroxchloroquine per day). The dose has been increased gradually
This weekend has been awful, yesterday I have been really thirsty, drinking several pints of water, severe reflux feeling as if my intestines were on fire, with headache and dizziness and back and forth the toilet (sorry to seem such a woos but I felt really dreadful). Went to bed but even lying down the room was spinning! Woke up this morning still feeling short of breath and giddy also ringing in my ears, I am waiting for 9.00 am so thatI can call the rheumy nurse for advice, needless to say I have not taken the Hydrox. yesterday evening or this morning. I am wondering what is worse the med or the rheumy.
Sorry to be moaning to you all but has anybody else experienced these symptoms?
Jane xx
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 2,127
Location: Thornton Cleveleys
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Hi Jane The symptoms you describe could be side effects of Methotrexate and Hydroxy, but they could also be virus related! As you have increased the medication gradually over a number of weeks it would seem unlikely, from my experience, that the meds are solely to blame for such an acute reaction. Definitely worth the advice of the rheumatology nurse and perhaps a visit to your GP if the symptoms don't settle within 2 or 3 days. It is easy to blame the Rheumatoid or associated meds for all our ills but just like the rest of the population (and more so with a compromised immune system!) we are open to all the viral illnesses that invade our space. Hope things settle down soon, Lyn x
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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thanks Lyn
I got in touch with the rheumy nurse at the hospital and she said like you, it could be a viral infection but I should stop taking the Hydroxy for one week. I am to take my MTX on Friday and assess what happens after that, should I have the same symptoms then they can lower the dose, should I have no effects it shows that it is the Hydroxy that is affecting me. I have to call her again on Monday and let her know how I got on and she will talk to the consultant.
I will let you know how it goes.
Jane x
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Hi Jane. I do hope you start to feel better soon and are able to resume your medication. I'm on the same combination of meds as you. I have not had similar side effects except that I had an upset stomach with the Mtx pills so switched to the injections. I found I had a lot of hair loss on the double dose of hydroxychloroquine but this settled down as soon as I finished the 'loading dose' and went down to one pill per day. Please let us know the outcome in a few days. Naomi, X
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/28/2012 Posts: 665 Location: Newton Abbot
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Hi Jane - so sorry to hear you've been feeling poorly. Let's hope it's just a "normal" bug and you get over it quickly - that seems a weird thng to say, but I'm sure you know what I mean. I too am on hydroxy and MTX, but am still building up to full dose with the MTX and so far so good. I started on a single tab of hydroxy and as far as I know that's how it's intended to stay, then added the MTX a few weeks later, so I am curious about Naomi's "loading dose" - how does that work? It's especially interesting because we're both with the same consultant so the difference is presumably to handle our individual histories. Best wishes - Sylvia xx Be kinder than is necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/14/2011
Posts: 38
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Hi Naomi and Sylvia
Naomi what does "loading dose" mean, when my Consultant said "we will blast this and hopefully get you into remission" is that what she meant, while she gradually upped the to MTX to 8 then introduced the Hyroxy at 2 a day. The fist week when I had this dosage I had no side effects just a slightly squigly tummy now and again. The RH nurse told me to stop the 2 a day Hydroxy for a week and just take the 8 MTX on Friday, but my tummy is still bloated so perhaps it may be some sort of virus as I still feel slightly wobbly and lightheaded but no longer have that burning sensation !! Hey Ho
Jane x
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/3/2011 Posts: 717 Location: Torbay
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Jane, when I started on the hydroxy I was taking two tablets a day. This was for three months and then I went down to just one per day permanently. I'm pretty sure the consultant called the first dose a loading dose. I assumed it meant building up the drug quickly in my system. I hope this helps. Naomi.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/21/2012 Posts: 388 Location: Powys
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Hi, I'm a bit curious about this biuld up and then reduction of hydroxy. I was put on twc tablets of 200mg, 2half years ago and am still on that dose, sounds strange that you all have been reduced to one tab. hope I'm not overdosing!!!
Hope you are feeling better now Jane. Best wishes Zena x.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/25/2010 Posts: 1,289 Location: Buckinghamshire
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i'm also puzzled about the " loading dose " re Hydroxy.
i've been on it about 20 months now and from memory i started on one and worked up to two a day,
wonder why different Hospitals vary this.
Suzanne
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