Date: 06.07.2012
From: sue d
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Subject: methotrexate
Hi all,got ra and been taking methotrexate for 7 years,having alot of flare ups and wondered if anyone knows the maxium amount rhumy doc can give and what happens when you get to the limit,im on 20mg at the moment and wondering whats next.in alot of pain at moment had steroid injection at gps to hopefully help till next appointment with rhumy doc
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: rhona
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi Sue, As far as i know 25mg is the maximum and that is what i take. Do you take any other drugs along with mtx. A lot of rheumatologists give a combination of drugs as that seems to work better. I also take supphasalizine and plaquenil and now a biologic. To be honest i dont know that mtx does much for me, perhaps you should speak to the hospital and they may add another drug to the mtx. hope you feel better soon. x
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Date: 06.07.2012
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi Sue, haven't you been considered for another Dmard, with a view to eventually moving on to anti tnfs? Mtx didn't do much for me plus I got infections all the time. Get them on the anti tnfs too, unfortunately, but that is probably just me. I wish you luck with your next rheumy appt.
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: Deborah
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi sue,
The maximum dosage is 30 mg the consultants will be happy to prescribe it but the gp,s are not to keen on that amount but they are happy with 25mg.
I hope you get sorted with something that will help you.Deborah.
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
hi Sue , on 25mg myself , did have to ask though , as bsk said you can add another Dmard or even push for anti-tnf , great drug if you find one you get on with
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: sue d
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Thank you all for your replies,i have never wanted to know about medication so not sure what all these mards and tfns are but have recently started worrying about amount of pills i am taking especially pain killers gp keeps giving me different ones they rather do nothing or make me feel like a zombie which is no good when you are working,i take methotrexate 20mg plaquinil 400mg naproxen 1000 each day and painkiller co codamol at the moment of which i take too many thanks for listening to me babling on,hope you are all having good day today thanks again
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Sue, plaquinil is a dmard (disease modifying drug). You have to have tried two before they will move you on to the biologic drugs, which work incredibly well for most people. Perhaps you need to discuss that with your consultant when you next speak. the good thing about the biologics or anti tnfs is that you will be able to reduce your painkillers or even stop taking them. Some of us have problems with the drugs but not all. Worth having the discussion.b
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Sue , think its pretty standard the drugs they got you on , as for the painkillers , we are all a bit different , personaly view pain as a freind , used to take co codamol + tramadol & now dont take anything for RA , still use co codamol for headaches etc. its better to get the RA under control , long term you want to stop the joint damage & maybe they will find a cure/treatment that gives you your life back , check the NRAS website out http://www.nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoid_arthritis/established_disease/managing_well/managing_the_pain_of_rheumatoid_arthritis.aspx http://www.nras.org.uk/help_for_you/publications/publication_detail.aspx?id=a0B80000008XzmxEAC
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Date: 07.07.2012
From: Sciqueen
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi Sue I am on pretty much the same as you, but naproxen was not as effective(anti flam), so I switched to arcoxia as it was better at controlling the pain & swelling. Went up to injectable mtx 25mg. Made no difference so was moved down to 20mg and put forward for anti tnf. Started Cimzia this wk and its already making a difference to the amount of pain, swelling & fatigue I am experiencing - much reduced. Like what others have said, Mtx did not work as well as it should on me also, so consultant put me forward for anti tnf. Discuss with rheumy consultant the possibility of going onto biologicals (anti tnf). I've included some links for further reading. http://www.nras.org.uk/about_rheumatoid_arthritis/newly_diagnosed/which_drugs_are_used/default.aspx Good luck and I hope your pain gets reduced soon! Joannex
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Date: 12.07.2012
From: Ian Murray
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi Sue, I have had Ankylosing Spondilitis for over thirty years and more recently Psoriatic Arthritis. Over the years I have been on Voltarol, Sulphasalazine, Methotrexate and finally the anti-TNF drug Humera. I have therefore had many years of filling myself full of a variety of drugs. As I have mentioned in reply to a few of the messages here I began drinking 120ml of an Aloe Vera gel drink each day in January of this year. I took my last Humera injection on 4th January and, as the months passed, I found the swelling in the joints of my fingers and toes decreasing, my flexibility and mobility increasing and my pain diminishing. Today I am not just pain free but ache free. I can make fists for the first time in decades and my energy levels are sky high. I have not felt like this since I was in my late teens and I am now 64 years old. Hope this helps.
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Date: 15.07.2012
From: sue d
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi all,thank you all for your replies and the links to look at regarding medications,I have appointment with rhmy doc in couple of weeks so will have a chat about things then.not good at consentrating at moment with pain and trying to get sleep when i can, as i am determined not to be off work. hope you are all well and sorry for delay in replying
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Date: 15.07.2012
From: sue d
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Subject: aloe vera
Hi Ian,Had to reply to you reguarding aloe vera as i have always had aloe vera plants in the house the same as my mother did to use on burns,sadly mum died 15 years ago but she gave me some papers she had all about the plant and its uses which i have got out to read,arthritus was mentioned, it was intresting and even told you how to use the actual plant to make up your own drinks from the plant but didnt say how much to drink daily.i have got a hugh aloe vera so thought i might try it, only worry is if it will interfere with other medication that i am on will mention it to rhmy on next visit .
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Date: 15.07.2012
From: sue d
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Subject: methotrexate
Hi Ian,Had to reply to you reguarding aloe vera as i have always had aloe vera plants in the house the same as my mother did to use on burns,sadly mum died 15 years ago but she gave me some papers she had all about the plant and its uses which i have got out to read,arthritus was mentioned, it was intresting and even told you how to use the actual plant to make up your own drinks from the plant but didnt say how much to drink daily.i have got a hugh aloe vera so thought i might try it, only worry is if it will interfere with other medication that i am on will mention it to rhmy on next visit .
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Date: 16.07.2012
From: marlene
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Be careful when making your own drinks from Aloe Vera, some parts should not be eaten other parts will have you running to the Loo all day.
When I went to the canary isle I went to the factory and was interested to hear the healing qualities for skin stomachs Arthritis, but they make no claim to miracle cures.
The skin cream is fantastic for dry eczema and psoriasis but not when inflammed.
To help you aloe vera should always be clear or a subtle shade of white, this is then pure aloe vera.
Hope this helps.( also very expensive when pure)
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Date: 16.07.2012
From: sue d
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Thanks for that marlene the information i have does tell you what to do with the plant to prepare it but not how much daily ,i wouldnt do it anyway untill i check with rhmy doc ill see what he says at next appointment,think im just being curious and hoping some miricle will come along
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Date: 24.07.2012
From: Caroline
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi - I am also on MTX 20mg but also on Embrel. I questioned whether the MTX was working as was only on this before the Embrel. My nurse says it halts the disease so while we think it's not wokring, it's stopping it from getting any worse. In my NHS trust in Wales you have to have tried MTX anf one other drug and not able to cope with it before they out you forward for anti-TNF.
I've been on them since April and noticed a huge difference in my swelling, aches and pains. xx
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Date: 18.08.2014
From: Patricia
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Subject: Re: methotrexate and aloe vera gell drink
Hello just wondering if anybody on MTX also drinks aloe vera and how they find it, as i want to try it but worried with MTX how it will affect me
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Date: 18.08.2014
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
I was told by my mtx nurse not to take anything internal i.e. over the counter meds, supplements, etc. as they can affect your liver. All these drugs are metabolised in the liver and mtx can raise your liver enzymes so any other meds that are not prescribed and known about can do the same thing. It overloads the liver. However, you are best off asking your specialist nurse.
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Date: 19.08.2014
From: Eve
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
I was on 25mg self injections on mtx but it has never done much for me. I have been on tocilizumab infusions but my liver enzymes have gone up and stayed up, even on a half dose, so am hoping to get funding for weekly injections, otherwise I'm not sure what is going to happen. I've also been on sulfasalazine, which didn't like me, and hydroxychloroquine in the past. I turned down leflunomide as my fertile years are ticking away and it would interact with other meds I'm on and not work. Definitely ask about the newer drugs if yours aren't making a big difference, I have seen more of an improvement on toci than anything else, sadly not so much on the half dose but we will see what happens. I've never tried Aloe Vera juice. You should check with your rhumo team if planning to take anything which might affect you.
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Date: 19.08.2014
From: kelly
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Aloe wont do you any harm whatsoever. Its just juice, no different to drinking apple or orange juice.
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Date: 19.08.2014
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Well, you only have to google Aloe juice side effects and you will find some (stomach problems, possible liver problems etc.) It is seen as a complimentary substance or a supplement and they are contraindicated with mtx. You also shouldn't take it if you have diabetes or some other conditions. But of course, it is up to you.
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Date: 19.08.2014
From: marlene
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Aloe Vera is not just juice. Have a look on Google. I wouldn't take anything without asking your GP.
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Date: 20.08.2014
From: kelly
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Google apple juice and you will find side effect warnings, the pips contain cyanide. Google anything and you will discover side effect warnings ! Aloe taken in moderation is safe and has anti inflammatory properties.
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Date: 02.11.2014
From: nina rees
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Hi guys I started on methotrexate a month ago, making me feel yuk but sticking with it. I also have my own Aloe Vera distributor business, so I have continued to take my aloe vera for the health benefits. Then it just occured to me I should check with my doctor I am allowed to take aloe vera, so I Googled and saw this thread. It seems lots of you are enjoying the benefits. Forever, the business I distribute for have the purest aloe vera, they patented the stabilisation process, so it's as close to drinking it from the plant as possible. If you would like to 'like' my Facebook page, Nina Forever, I would like to see some more RA sufferers sharing the benefits. You can also follow the link and purchase this wonder stuff.
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Date: 03.11.2014
From: saw through you
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
Naughty Nina
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Date: 29.05.2015
From: jonna Petersson
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Subject: Re: methotrexate
I got so happy reading your post. I have just started methx(can't spell it) still in awful pain especially in breastbone, top spine and elbows. Bought an aloe Vera bottle today but wasn't sure if I should mix it with those pills. Reading your post I'm gonna risk it. Thank you and hope you still are good.
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