Date: 13.04.2010
From: Kirstine
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Subject: Folic acid doses with MTX
On saturday i took my 4th dose of mtx at 17.5mg was feelinf fine as i did the previous saturday with the 15mg dose. Then by the sunday afternoon i started feeling weak and heavy then by sunday night i was feeling sickly and os weak i could not move and i had the mother of all headaches. Yesterday i was feeling increadably ill, throwing up all day, weakness and headache. So i rang the rummy nurse (as id been ok on mtx so far) and she has advised i take folic acid daily instead of weekly.
So ive just rang the docs to get some more and they were makin a fuss at me taking more as the letter from the rummy to them said only 3 mg folic acid weekly and she seemed puzzled id been advised to take it 6days a week. Im terrified of taking the 20mg dose next week as i hated feeling so ill this week. Has anyone else had t side effect as badly as that? And what were you advised?
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Date: 13.04.2010
From: Tracey
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
Hi, I am on Sulfasalazine, but may be put on MTX so have been reading up and it appears that you can take up to a maximum of 5mg daily of FA. It may just be that the Doctors don't want to go against the consultant's initial recommendation so maybe you could call and ask for the Consultant to confirm this is ok with your Doctor? Hope you feel better soon, it sounds like you are having a rough time. xx
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Date: 13.04.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
Hi I've been on mtx for just over 8months. You should be on at least the same dose of folic acid in one week as mtx. I.e 17.5mg or 20mg mtx you should be on 20mg in one week of folic acid. The side effects you described are very usual. Unfortunately folic acid doesn't help with these. When I got to 15mg mtx, I was everso ill as you described so instead of taking full dose on a weds took half weds half sun and except for the fatigue the side effects went. I did however develop mouth sores. These can be helped with folic acid so went from 15mg folic acid a week (same dose as mtx) went up to 5mg every day except mtx days. Folic acid helps with liver and vitamin side effects. I'm now however on mtx shots. 1 full dose on a fri. No sickness coz doesn't pass through stomache. No headache just the tiredness. I'm also building my dose up to 20mg. I hope this has made sense because I do tend to ramble. Take care Abbie X
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Date: 13.04.2010
From: Sally
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
hi, I take 5mg folic acid for five days a week. Not on the day or day after of Mtx dose. 3mg a week seems tiny to me.
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Date: 13.04.2010
From: Lynn B
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
Hi kirsten i am taking 17.5mg of mtxt and was told to take folic acid 4 times a week =20mg. but the rheumy had to let my GP know. Also the mtxt is making me so ill, they are going to put me on other drugs with it. xx
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Date: 13.04.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
Hi guys, I take 25mg MTX every week and take the folic acid every day apart from MTX day. Its not a nice one when it comes to side effects!
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Date: 14.04.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
im on MTX 15mg, and enbrel and only folic acid 5mg twice a week.....seems everyone differs
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Date: 19.04.2010
From: Kirstine
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
Im not up to 20mg MTX and very pleased to say since taking folic acid every day except MTX day, im not having anywhere near as much sickness and havnt been sick once this week. Even the tiredness isnt as bad.
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Date: 20.04.2010
From: Abbie
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
That's so Good to hear Kirstine! Pleased for you keep us posted how things go. X
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Date: 20.04.2010
From: jill
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
M bio nurse told me to take Only folic acid twice a week ? wonder y others r on more....will ask her, rather take more, think it helps with the infections i get in my mouth...
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Date: 20.04.2010
From: Verity
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Subject: Re: Folic acid doses with MTX
Whats the down side of folic acid? Is it coz it boosts the immune system a bit so the MTX doesn't work as well? Otherwise theres no reason why everyone shouldnt take it all the time? xx
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