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Date: 19.10.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Methoxatrate

Hi all, I have MTX ready to start.
Can anyone suggest the best time to take it?
Did I see someone say that its better to take at night. Also should I take it with food or on an empty stomach with lots of water.
Thanks
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Date: 19.10.2009
From: shaz

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi angela they usually advise that you take mtx on a evening after food i usually take mine after my dinner about 6 oclock then you sleep through most of the effect or thats what soppouse to happen but mtx effects everybody differantly you maybe lucky and not suffer any side effects lol
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Date: 19.10.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Thanks Shaz I will start tonight then.
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Date: 19.10.2009
From: shaz

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi angela forgot to mention if you do suffer from sickness get your gp to prescribe anti sickness pills i take them and they do help a little plus dont be surprised if you feel a little dizzy not long sfter you taken pills its not unusual its like you feel spaced haha all the best lol
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Date: 19.10.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

nite times r best i reckon, nausea may be a prob, if so eat ginger nuts....help a bit, providing u like them that is.... i suck on a boiled seet if i feel dodgy, plus sometimes, not always, i get a metalic taste, so eat chewing gum.... i didint have this forum when i began mine two years ago, so im sure u will get plenty of tips on how to cope, but taking them at night is defffo best.... goood luck and im sureu will cope well....stick at it, takes up to 3 months for it to totally kick in....maybe even sooner than thata, as we r all different....keep in touch love Jill x
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Date: 19.10.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Jill and Shaz,
Thanx again for all that
Well took them at 6pm,and just had 3 ginger nuts and a cuppa (just to be sure lol)
I also made an appointment at the beginning of Nov to have my knees injected with cortizone do you think thats a good idea with just starting this,or should I wait and see if this gets my ESR and CRP down first?
The Lyme test I had was negative by the way Jill, also polymyagia is out, the nurse said that it is definately RA because I have had two very swollen joints as well as the high bloods, she also said that the RA is very active in me although there is no damage yet to my hands or feet, so looks like I have to accept it finally.
Take Care both of you
xx
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Date: 20.10.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi angela at least u know they have caught u before dammage had already kicked in so they can slow things down. i know we all hope it turns out to be something else that easyer to treat know my fingers r crossed but deep down just want answers u know how it is at the start of all this lol. good luck hope u do not get any side affects
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Date: 20.10.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Val, Yes you are right it is hard to accept but like you say at leastits been caught before the damage set in.
Lets hope the MTX doesn't give me to much grief.
Hope you have a good day.
take Care
xx
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Date: 26.10.2009
From: alan heckfordheckfords@heckfords.karoo.co.uk

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi have been taking mtx 11 days have had no side affects so far take 10 mg once a week first thing with follic acid every day swelling gone down in left wrist & hand pain not as bad still cant lift right arm for pain in shoulder sleeping better specialist say i have cronic r/a & shouldnt drink any beer is this right or can you have few sometimes
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Date: 26.10.2009
From: val h :-)

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi alan some one who takes it will come on hope things carry on improveing for u good luck. angela having much better day and cold getting better even if voice not to good lol
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Date: 27.10.2009
From: karen

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi alan i found i cant drink with them i have i have tried but doesnt agree me but the rhumy nurse said a social drink now and again should be ok but i have decieced not to and glad your mxt is workin good
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Date: 27.10.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Angela...yes take them at night with a little something....best to be sure...as u like ginger nuts lol...if u feeel qweasy, eat a ginger nut lol...defffo helps... as the days pass the qweasy feeling get less....take care and like Val said, glad they have caught this all b4 any damage has been done...so u shld have a better outcome ok...remember too there is always the ANTI TNF meds to fall on if things get out of hand....take care love Jill x
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Date: 27.10.2009
From: j

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Alan.... u r on a low dose at the mo, however it does take a while for them to kick in, usually 2 / 3 months.... ive been on MTX over two years now, plus im now on Biologic meds...Enbrel injections along with the MTX.... unfortunately, u should have been told that U cant drink on it...its makes u feel sick...trust me I know....also the joints feel stiff the day after...... I havnt had a drink of wine for a good few weeks now(thats amazing for me lol) and I feel better with out alchol in me.....it drags me down for days....dont binge drink, maybe one pint once a week might be ok.....wasx told NOT to drink on MTX...but i did and have, and still will at xmas....but like I said, the affects of say two large glasses of Plonk, make me feel fab at the time, but i feel it the next day.......Up to u at the end of the day.... but Ive gotta be honest Alan, I havnt met a fella yet that Only drinks One Pint lol... its trail and error...I also beleive that by drinking on MTX, it wont work as well......let us know how u get on.... welcome to the forum, be good if u cld pop in and support our cosy group....lol u will be surrounded by women....trsut me, we r all good gals..... and we do like a larf as well as give out help, if we can....take care J
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Date: 27.10.2009
From: karen

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi j yeah i have found the same i had a 2 small glasses of wine with soda water and found i threw up the next day and felf ill 4 days .so i decided not to drink anymore but am feelin ill at mo so it could be jsut me .i know some orther man who has a pint now and again on it and hes ok so i think it depends on the person
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Date: 27.10.2009
From: Nick

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Alan, new to this so you will have to bear with me. Been taking mtx for 4 years now and i still have a drink, i never drink at home and didnt before this started so its never been a problem. I never touch any spirits since taking the mtx but do have beer when i go out but i do mix it with shandy! believe me you do get used to it. What i did was to have a couple then when i have my monthly blood tests make sure it was ok and gradually increased to a few pints and still ok, keep to normal strengh and see how it goes. Some people cannot drink at all it just depends on the individual.
Regards
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Date: 28.10.2009
From: karen

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi nick what dose are you on and have you ever suffered any side effects .i have been on them 10 weeks and having lots of problems still but be good to know its goin be worth it
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Date: 28.10.2009
From: lisa

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi karen i have taken methotrexate for 6years, used to take tablets, have been injecting for the last year 20mg. side effects can be miserable but as everyone has said take it at night to cut down on feeling grotty. i used to feel sick when on tabs, bad headaches and felt really tearful ALL the time put up with it for a long time and then went onto injection, that really cut down side effects for me but were all different! i positive that if i hadnt had mtx i know i would have had a lot more joint damage than i have and would definately not be working, so stick with it and give it time, keep in contact with your rheumy nurse.
good luck best wishes lisa
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Date: 29.10.2009
From: karen

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

thanks for that lisa i have been put on 15 as 10 wasnt doin anything and was having stroid injections i take it at night as well now so hopefully sleep it off but i find someweeks the day after am so tierd but will keep takin them and see what happens .but then i read somewere that they are so toxic to the body oh i dont know what to do .
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Date: 30.10.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

yes they r Toxic....but we have regular blood tests..... I know id prefer the risk of the meds being toxic, than having regular corrective surgery due to damage, irrepable samage to your joints..... the meds r there to help that from happening.... karen we hafve sent u so many posts, and still u worry, I know u will of course....but arnt u more scared of the damage r.a. will cause if u jsut take parcetamol..... not being hard, but being a realistic...
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Date: 30.10.2009
From: lisa

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

i know exactly how you feel karen its scary when you realise the strength/ toxic ect BUT as jill said you have to realise you will be closely monitored and i came off it for 6 months and really punished my joints, i have two fingers now that are bent and permanantly joint damaged, i am not by any means saying this will happen to you but you are being prescribed it for a reason try to battle it out. i feel tired all day after as well, just try to pace yourself, rest whe you need to and have a sugar day!! sweeties n chocs! it helps with the nausea. keep smiling your not alone xx
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Date: 30.10.2009
From: karen

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

yeah thanks for that never really thought what damage i would do if didnt take them .am just a worrier. i am takin them as i know the rhumy nurse knows what shes on about
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Date: 31.10.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Karen and Lisa.... karen Lisa is correct, soz if I came across as harsh, just wanted u to see it from a different angle... and Lisa u described it perfect..... ive had 7 ops prior to MTX.....im now on MTX and Enbrel... ok I still need another spine op....but that is due to the Reiters that I have, as it eats away the soft tissue, Not to do with my Artha...hope that makes sense.... karen u r doing the right thing taken them ok....Our livers can take so much, and it repairs itself....havnt yet heard of anyone on here with Liver probs...beside they take our blodds for that...and can see if anything is going wrong, way in advance....unfortunately, If u dont take the meds, they cant see the damage happeneing, but U will fell the pain far worse than now....trust me, I know....xx
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Date: 03.11.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Extremely high ESR again

Hi all. As some of you know I have been on sulfasalizine for 8 months now, and was given MTX 3 weeks ago, because my ESR wont go down.
I feel fine no side effects, dont need any painkillers, and nothing to complain about.Still have the stiffness expected with RA, and my knees play me up, but apart from that I have no complaints.
Today I was called to the docs after my blood check yesterday because my ESR has raised yet again, it has now reached 103!!and I think they expected me to be in a bad way.
I just dont get it??
Has anyone else had this?
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Date: 04.11.2009
From: Jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Blimey thate is high,,,,most mines been is 97, Angela mb the meds r making U feel fine, but ya body is saying sommat else..... wish I cld help but I cant..... keep us informed ok.....what r they planning to do for u now???? lots love and Hugs to u sweetie xxxx
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Date: 04.11.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hiya Jill, He just said if you feel okay then lets see what your blood says in 2 weeks.He said he is treating me the patient not the blood??
Maybe my body is saying something else, but I dont know what it is.
I just wish I could hear someone else say that they have experienced the same cause this makes me think could it be something more sinister.
Anyway no doubt time will tell.
Hugs back xxx
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Date: 04.11.2009
From: lisa

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi angela Im sorry mine hasnt been that high either cant really comment however been on methotrexate 6 years and they REALLY do watch your blood very carefully, try not to worry and try to trust thm i know its difficult lol good luck hopefully it will settle x
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Date: 04.11.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Angela, hear what U r saying....but with all the blood tests we have... if they thort for a minute that there was something sinister going on, they wld do further tests on u.... infact if I were u, when u get yur results in 2 weeks, mention how U feel, mention that could it be anything sinister, becos I beleive that if u worry about things, then Mention what U feel, and put the idea in their head, for them to think it thru, and think about what U said...... just for example...my daughter fell sick, and I knew in my heart it wasnt right, went to hosp, they were examining her and I told them that im worried it could be Meningitis.....anyway, they were probably going to test her for that....but I was not going to let then do regular tests and then eventually test for that nasty illness...... so immed they tested her for it....and I was right....Thankgod she was ok....I think if something is worrrying U, U shld mention it......also I have REITERS disease, I have it chronically, and unfortunately one of the few that gets it so badly.....but it can also attack the heart valve....and a thought came into my mind, that if I have this chronically, then who r the ones that get the heart valve probs? so i asked, If i could get that, they explained more to me, and they put my mind at rest, at the time, so its Important that U say what U feel inside.... U tell them what U feel ok..... I would

take care , let us know how u get on xxxx
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Date: 04.11.2009
From: Angela

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Lisa and Jill,
I take it all on board what you both say.
Thanks for caring
xxxx
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Date: 07.12.2009
From: Verity

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Karen,
I went through about 6 years of refusing to take methatrexate and have been trying alternative therapies all my life. Ultimately Ive been left with a lot of joint damage. Im now on methatrexate after giving in and have stopped having weekly flare ups. My knees havent swelled to the point of me having time off work in 13 weeks. (Its only shortly before then that I started taking it). Its definately up to you but if you can prevent joint damage then I definately would. Im 24 and have the hands of an old person! Hope this helps
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Date: 07.12.2009
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

I'm seeing the specialist nurse next week about taking methotrexate. I was hoping not to start til the new year but appt came through early, sods law!
I'm worried about it but all your posts are reassuring. Might try and stave it off for a couple of weeks - am still on stroids but have achy wrists and ankles, hard to do the xmas shopping lol!
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Date: 14.12.2009
From: Emma

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi all

I've been on them four weeks today. Is extreme tiredness a side-effect then, because two days this week I could barely keep my eyes open?
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Date: 14.12.2009
From: gary

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

hi all,hope u are all well.
i have been on mtx now for 4 weeks,also taking steriods daily. before i started on these my joints were swollen and the pain kept me awake most nights.
after reading the post on here and and the affect mtx had i prepared for the worst, sickness tiredness ect but im glad to say i must be one of the lucky one's. joints gone down hardlt any pain whats so ever . i have had no side affects from the mtx,best of all i can still have a few pints and feel ok apart from feeling pissed quicker . still saves me a few quid i suppose lol.just goes to show it effects every one differently and i must be lucky .
take care all
gary
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Date: 15.12.2009
From: jill

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Well done Gary...thanks for coming back and telling us, we need more felllas in here lol..... good to hear u r feeling better.... take care Jill
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Date: 24.11.2010
From: Andrew

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

I have been taking MTX now for just 4 weeks and must say that from the beginning that although it did reduce the swelling somewhat in my joints; the side-affects are horrendous! I suffer from migraine headaches most days, but have rarely had a headache in my whole life. I also suffer from nausea and terrible night sweats to the point where I must change my bed clothes and sheets! I wonder now which is worse, the condition or the remedy. Any info on alternatives would be welcomed. I'm only 45 but most times feel 85. Please HELP!
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Date: 25.11.2010
From: jake

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Andrew
I felt the same, it got the point where the actual illness was easier to cope then the mtx side effects.
i refused to be the rhummys test pilot for different meds, so i went to the dead sea for 2 weeks as a last resort and belive it or not the illness has become more bearable i still have the aches but more energy to cope.
while there i had no pain at all, i would recommend to anyone.
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Date: 25.11.2010
From: William

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Been on MTX since mid July. I am most certainly one of the lucky ones as side effects have been minimal if at all. Also still enjoying a gargle in moderation. In other words within recommended maximum weekly units. Bloods have been stable and drugs seem to be doing the trick as I have more or less managed to do without anti inflams and pain killers now for approx 2 months.

I realise a lot of poor folks have dreadful side effects with this drug but it aint all doom and gloom. I like to think that for everyone who suffers there are hundreds who dont.

Good luck to all
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Date: 25.11.2010
From: Tom H

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

I'm 5 weeks in now and apart from the odd dodgy spell, I find that I don't have any side effects. If I feel a bit drained or sick I find eating takes away that feeling straight away.
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Lynn B

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Hi Tom, just be careful I felt exactly the same if I felt a bit sick or drained (which I have done for the last 12 months on mtxt ) I ate something to take away that feeling and have piled on the weight).
When I go back in 8 days I am going to be put on injections for the mtxt, and hopefully should lesson the side affects. T.C.
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Tinkpink1

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

I have been on MTX for several years. 10mg a week only my specialist tried to UP it to 12.5 but I ended up getting mouth sores. Not nice, so back down to 10mg and balance it out with Pred everyday.

I havent had any adverse reactions really, only a bit of a dodgy tummy when I first went on it. I seem to be ok on it now.

I do have a drink too... and my Rheumy Nurse said thats ok, but they will know if I have as it will show in my bloodwork. So far, not the case, but I try not to overdo it as I know that my liver is having to work harder than normal.

Hope you are ok on it too! x
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Date: 26.11.2010
From: Maz

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

I had idiopathic pancreatitis last year & my ESR readings hit 1300 .. but normally mine is around the 15-30 mark all the time.

ESR & CRP readings are indicators of inflammation somewhere.
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Date: 02.12.2010
From: Tom H

Subject: Re: Methoxatrate

Lynn, Thanks for the warning, I'm aware that I have put on a few pounds already, but I'm pretty good, have made sure I only have a small bowl of Special K in the morning and eat just soup and plain wholegrain toast 4 or 5 nights a week to make room for any snacks or sugary drinks I need during the day. Cheers
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