Date: 29.06.2013
From: Heather
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Subject: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
I saw my rheumatologist yesterday who has put me on to MTX (10mg weekly tablets). I'm to take these as well as my current hydroxychloaquine (400mg daily). I'll be taking the MTX on a Friday (a lot of people I know said that it can wipe you out for a couple of days and as I work full time, I thought this was probably best as I'll get the weekend to recover). He has also prescribed 5mg folic acid for 5 days a week, but he didn't say which 5 days a week! Anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance.
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Date: 29.06.2013
From: bsk
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
I was told not on the day of the mtx or the day after.
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Date: 29.06.2013
From: Colin W
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
hi Heather , dont take it on same day as u take Mtx , some of us dont get any side effects from Mtx so hope you dont get it
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Date: 29.06.2013
From: EB
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
I have found that taking Mtx at night has helped as I would feel sick after taking it during the day.
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Date: 29.06.2013
From: Heather
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
Thanks for the replies. I thought that it would probaby be the day of taking it and the day after. Common sense prevails LOL!
He gave me very little information, so I'm really glad I'd done my research beforehand. He asked me what day I would be taking it (no reason given for this question and my hubby looked very confused) and I said Friday due to the potential fatigue for a couple of days afterwards, but had I not known that then I'm not sure he would have helped explain it. I also thought I'd take it at night.
Does taking it with food help too EB?
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Date: 01.07.2013
From: Eve
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
I'm on 25mg self injectable mtx but started on the tablets. I took the tablets on a Friday night right before bed to sleep through any crap afterwards then having the weekend though I didn't have many side effects until I got onto 20mg per week on injections. I do them on a Thursday evening and find Friday I'm not too bad though tend to have a upset stomach on Sat/Sun (though I have a bowel condition too which might make that more likely). I have folic acid for every day save methotrexate day though as I take it before bed I don't take one that or the following morning. Hope it helps x
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Date: 01.07.2013
From: Heather
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
Really helpful Eve - thank you! I have IBS so I'm expecting the tummy problems.
Do the effects get better with time, as your body gets used to the medication?
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Date: 01.07.2013
From: Eve
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
Hi, things have settled down a little bit for me side effect wise. I did go up the doses pretty quick though then the change to tablets to injections. Apart from the upset tummy, which has carried on, other things have settled down but I don't think there is a set course for it. My nurse said I could go down a dose and see if it helped but I was determined to ride it out as I was feeling it start to make a bit of a difference and hopefully it seems to be paying off a bit though having a horrible flare at the mo. I think it's all a bit trial and error to see what works for you at what dose etc...
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Date: 08.07.2013
From: Heather
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Subject: Re: Left confused by Rheumy apt.
Bit of an update from me...
Took my first dose Friday night before bed and so far so good...no apparent side effects, which has been an excellent surprise!
Got cc'd into letters from the rheumy to my GP and the letter states that I will need bloods to be monitored every two weeks and that he is referring me to Abigail (RA nurse) at the monitoring clinic at the hospital. However, he doesn't say whether he wants the GP to do my bloods or whether Abigail will do this. I've not had an appointment through for Abigail yet - what do you reckon?
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