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Rank: Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/11/2010 Posts: 14
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Hi All
Not been on here for a while, Ive been on sulphy scince diagnosed,atround two years I think, doesnt seem to be working too well as I now need to have foot surgery. I ve just moved my care to a new service and they have advised that I go on methotrexate. I have the meds but starting probably next week. I ve been advised to take folic acid for a week before starting meth. I ve been reading all the info and it looks very scary. Is it usual to have sickness? can I never drink again? what about hair loss? am i being chicken? help
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 2,237 Location: nr Southampton
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hi Kathy
YOu will be pleased to read that MTX is the gold standard RA drug.
Most people with RA go on it at some point and most do really well on it. it is such a well known drug that as long as you go for the bloods regularly they will stop it at the very first sign of trouble
You should have a chest xray before you start.
With the drug leaflets- I read it ONCE then put it in the drawer. You have to take this drug- you know you need to!
the drinking- a glass or 2 is ok.
no big benders up to 3 days before the blood test
some people do have their hair thinning on it- but you have to remember most of the stuff on the net is about when it is used for cancer patients at much higher doses.
sea kelp tablets (Holland and Barratt or similar) really helps with this.
Good luck
Love
Jenni xhow to be a velvet bulldoser
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/6/2009 Posts: 84 Location: Northern Ireland
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Hi Kathy Hope it works well for you without any nasty side effects. Unfortunatly it didn't do much for me but I know a lot of people it has worked really well for. All the best! Joy
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,081
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Hi Kathy,
I've been taking it for about 3 years. I don't have any bad side effects but I do also take a stomach protector - Omeperazole (I know quite a few of us do). I only feel a bit queasy on the day I take the tablets if I get too hungry. I have them at lunch time with something stodgy to eat then keep nibbling so I'm not hungry. I do feel more tired on the day I take them but otherwise ok. I also still have a few drinks. I don't on metho day though (take them on Tuesdays). I agree with Jenni that the regular blood testing is really good and shows if you are reacting badly to the tablets. I have a booklet where all the results are recorded and there is an explanation of which tests they do. Touching wood and fingers crossed - I haven't had any problems with infections like I expected either. Hope you get on ok next week.
Julie
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/7/2010 Posts: 441 Location: Bristol
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Hi Kathy,
I take 25mg each Wednesday and folic acid on all days apart from Wednesday. I take it with all my other meds in the morning after breakfast and don't seem to suffer any side effects that I can pinpoint. On the couple of occassions over the years when the dose has been increased, I've probably felt a little odd on the first day but not much else after that.
Methotrexate is, for a lot of people, a very effective drug and certainly a staple in most RA sufferer's arsenal. Don't worry about it too much ... sometimes the literature can be really off putting but it's certainly worth a try!
Good luck with it.
Joanna
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Hi,
I totally sympathise with your thoughts upon MTX....I literally had to be coerced into taking it BUT uncontrolled rheumatoid is FAR worse than any side affect ANY med can ever give you!
I soon realised that it is (very often) an excellent med for RA plus you're SO closely monitored.
More imprtantly, (!) one can drink on it but do be careful. I have two glasses of wine, three if I am very naughty, that's in one evening. I drank FAR more on other drugs but something about MTX made me more sensible! LOL
The amount one has for RA is 'small' (rheumy's words, not mine) than for other illnesses. It is not a pelasant thought but has been used for treating for RA for a very very long time now and hence they have so much research on it and it's affects.
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 312 Location: Surrey
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kathy m wrote:.......... am i being chicken? Well,............  A friend is someone who knows all about you but loves you anyway!
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Rank: Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/11/2010 Posts: 14
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Thanks guys,had my first dose last night and feeling ok,so we ll see how we go,so far so good 
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,582 Location: Oxfordshire
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Well done! and best of luck, do let us know how you get on.....
Love,
Amanda
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 1/5/2010 Posts: 89 Location: Mereworth, Kent
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Good for you, lets keep fingers crossed!
take care
Alisonxx
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