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Methotrexate
Lori Knapp
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 07:13 PM -
methotrexate shots
CyndiLou
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 07:33 PMMy sister took the shots and although she didn't receive much relief she also didn't suffer from any side effects. Her kids had good results from the pills though. I hope it works for you and remember the side effects stop when you stop the meds so give it a try...it's worth it if it works. God bless!
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Injections
Hollybgroovin
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 11:46 AMI have been trying desperately to look for a perfect site to answer all you questions including one that had personal experiences of the methotrexate injections. I only take the oral form of this medication as it is more affordable to me. My rheumatologist has tried to get me on the injectable form though, as it is not as hard on your stomach. I have spoken to many people who have not nausea on the injectable form. I have also met many people who have never experienced the hair loss. Unfortunately this is one of those wonderful drugs that has so many different side effects for so many different people. In researching this for you, I did find some things that I think might be helpful though, so here they are:
Now this site has personal experiences and rates this medication for rheumatoid arthritis based on effectiveness, ease of use, and satisfaction. It has 21 comments on peoples personal experience.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/medmaster/a682018.html
And this tells a little more on what to expect from injectable methotrexate.
I wish I could tell you by experience what to expect from these injection, but I only take the oral form. And while this is a very scary medication I can tell you from three years of experience that if I have to miss even one dose of this medication, I FEEL it! I wish you the best of luck, and let us know what you decide and if it is working for you. Best wishes!
replyre: Injections
your2smart
Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:13 PMI started the injectable and was doing fine but trying to keep up with the perscription every month was tuff. I also didn't like the way I felt after taking it. I took the pills but they made me nausiated and I started loosing my appetite and loosing weight. I don't like the pill form or the injectable. I have to tell my Doc that I have stopped taking it. She is not going to like it but I want to feel normal not sick. I hope this helps
replyre: re: Injections
shanharte
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 10:49 AMWell I get my first shot this afternoon. I rir try the pills a few years back and was very sick on them. I have read nothing good in the past week about methotrexate shots. i have read people with naseua, sore joints, sore calves, permanent nerve damage fro methotrexate shots in calves and feet, and have had operations from the nerve damage in feet. Also people who have lost their hair, weight and have fatigue. There has not been one good thing I have read. THe sad thing is I am 39 and scared my RA specialist will be mad if I dont go on them as she had ben so persistent. Its stupid I feel like I am 4 and have to do what she says even if I am in disagreement. i know I am geeting worse, I know the plaquenil, and sulfasalazine I am on are not curing me. But there is no CURE. Only a way t possible slow it down. So I am not in agreement especially after reading all the negative comments I have read. And all the other problems created by the shots or pills. I am already fatigued, in pain and hane joing sweeling, do I also need to be sick, naseuated, bald, get calf pain and nerve damage and possibly lymphoma cancer?????????Its absolutely stupid that I at my age am to scared to say no I dont want the poison thank you.....Why do I feel as if I am 4 and have no say in the poison they want to give me.??and obviously others are scared t tell their DR to that they want to discontinue meds they dont want to take. Whats wrong with this, its our body, our disease, and the DR does not live with the disease or the side effects of the meds. Yes I am sure they have the patients best interest at heart as many other patients are on the drugs, you can be to.. BUt they dont live my life and they dont feel what I feel when they go home at night from their job. They are trained highly to Be DRs but we as humans are not all the same and do not all react the same to meds. But due to fear of ******* my DR off today at 1:30 I will start a med shot that I have read nothing good on for one week off surfing the net...thanks for everyones coments. Truely only those with RA know how RA feels, even though we all have different symptoms and degree of RA. Thanks Shan
replyre: re: re: Injections
your2smart
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 05:41 PMIsn't that funny how we feel like a 4 year old scared to tell a doc our thoughts and feelings. We are the ones that keep them in business. I can relate to what your saying. I to have a hard time telling my doc. All she says is you need to take all these drugs in conjuction so that they will work correctly in your system. BULLony!! Well all the Dr. can say is well I will not be treating you anymore. And I will say good because there are plenty of other Doc. in the area that would take my insurance. I didn't know it causes nerve damages. I'm having numbness in my feet as we speak. The nerve in my left eye has been jumping for over two weeks. I plan on going to the eye doc tomorrow. I don't like it but I have to keep living. I know she is going to want blood work next month. I have not been taking the methox so I'm going to just tell her with a staight face and say it is making me sick and I cannot take it. I told her that before but she wanted me to start the injectable. Her comment was it should not be that hard on your stomach. Whatever lady!!!! I'm getting fed up. In my hospital alone. I have went through at least 3 doc at the RA office. It seems they just want to feed you drugs and move on to the next patient. Sorry for the ramble. But it's just crazy..
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personal experience
ruth
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 10:42 AMI just want to add my experience, I'm taking the oral form of MTX, after a month I started having mouth sores, my doc increased my folic acid supplement, and the problem went away. Even if they hadn't considering the potential course of the disease, heart attack or joint destruction I would stay on a med.
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Untitled Comment
amanda411
Friday, March 28, 2008 at 01:53 PMWell have you been on the oral form? Has it nor worked? Frankly, I wasn't aware that methotrexate came in an injectible so it shows you how much I know...
Everyone I know with RA, (and everyone I know who is familiar with RA meds,) both know the tablet form and seem to recommend it highly.
If you haven't tried the tabs I'd suggest you start there and not inject yourself unless necessary. I do it with Enbrel and that stuff is awful. Either way I hope that you find a medication that works best for you!
replyre: Untitled Comment
shanharte
Friday, March 28, 2008 at 03:47 PMI did the pills a few years back. They made me extremely nauseated and very tired. So I have been on Plaquenil and sulfasaliazine. I am getting worse, so they want to try the injections. I had one on wednesday, and have been tired, nauseated and very stiff in back since, I will try it for a few months to see if it gets better in time.The only problem is it is a weekily shot that I have to go to town for, I live an hour from the doctor. I Know my RA specialist wants me to do these for 12 weeks then go on to Embrel. WHat can you tell me about your embrel side effects ect? Do you give your own shot or have to go to the clinic? How are you feeling on it, how long have you been on it??Thanks for your reply, hope to hear back from you. Thanks shan
replyre: re: Untitled Comment
amanda411
Friday, March 28, 2008 at 05:14 PMHi Shan,
Enbrel is an amazing drug but the shots are awful. I do the 50mg, once weekly, self-injector at home. It's easy to do, I get a 4-week supply at a time. Very straightforward, takes about 15 seconds but it's.... awful. I won't lie to you because you need to know - it's like fire shooting into your leg (where I generally do it, ) spreading out around it and it can be tender for 10 minutes or so afterward. I've gotten bruises the size of silver dollars, rashes and stiffness around the injection site. I've experienced multi-day headaches and my concentration level has shot way down. I find that if I take some sort of pain relief beforehand (30 minutes to an hour) then it hurts much less. On Sunday I took nothing and cried when the medicine started going in. The needle is tiny and painless.
The good news? It's a miracle drug, period. For a small number of folks I hear it doesn't do much but for the vast majority it's just heavenly. Within 2 weeks I noticed an improvement in my mobility and a decrease in my morning pain. The shots are definitely worth it. The only other downside is the cost. A lot of insurance plans won't cover it at all. I'm lucky in that mine does 100%. It's about $1600 a month otherwise.
If you're able to, give it a shot. (HA Ha!)
There are forms you and the doctor fill out asking for some financial relief which may be of interest.
replyre: re: re: Untitled Comment
Sharte
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 12:15 AMI thought if you got a rash that was a reaction that you were allergic or not supposed to take it ? Sounds like hell to give yourself a needle knowing the burning pain and all that, must be worth it in the long run for you to have the courage to do it. Where are you from?
replyre: re: re: re: Untitled Comment
amanda411
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 12:21 AMI think a small amount of rash around the injection site is relatively common. My doctor wasn't concerned about it. Regarding the ability to actualyl give myself the shots - it's not easy. The first time I had to have someone with me because knowing I was about to cause myself pain was enough to keep me from doing the shot. There was one night I sat there for 45 minutes with the needle pressed against my thigh willing myself to do the shot and just could not. I was in tears and had to give up. About an hour later I though, well this is silly of me! In the end I want to be healthy and my little one needs a healthy Mama. So I grabbed another needle, sat down on the couch and said, ok no counting down, no rationlizing why I don't need to do this. I said "this is for my son" and sure enough, shot msyelf in the leg no problem. Maybe I seem like a chicken for it but those things really hurt. The key is, if you have issues as I do, finding something that makes everything in life worth it - any amount of pain. For me it's my son.
He and I live in Sacramento, CA. :)
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methotraxate and humaria
Betty
Monday, March 31, 2008 at 01:11 AMI HAVE BEEN ON METHOTRAXATE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. FIRST I WAS ON THE PILL FORM FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS. I STAYED NAUSEATED COUPLE DAYS AFTER TAKING.....THEN I WENT OF THE INJECTIONS........ONE EVERY WEEK.....THAT I TOLERATED OK.....THEN I WAS PUT ON ARAVA FOR A COUPLE YEARS.....THEN BACK ON THE METHOTRAXATE...........METHOTRAXATE IS A CANCER AND R/A BLOCKER.........SO I STUCK WITH IT..NOW I AM ON THE HUMARIA INJECTION PLUS THE METHOTRAXATE.......HUMARIA IS TO ME A MIRACLE DRUG...........THE DAY AFTER TAKING IT I WAS PAIN FREE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN YEARS........MY R/A DOCTORS IS SO VERY PLEASED WITH MY RESULTS ..SO FAR....MINE HANDS AND ARMS ARE MY BIGGESTS PROBLEMS..I SCREAMED AND CRIED A LOT AT NIGHTS WITH SEVER PAIN...........SO FAR, I HAVE ONLY HAD 4 INJECTION OF THE HUMARIA. I DO SO WORRY ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS LATER ON.....RIGHT NOW TO ME THE GOOD OUT WEIGHS THE BAD......
I AM SO TIRED OF THIS PAIN...I HAVE HAD R/A MOST OF MY LIFE ..YOU HAVE TO LEARN TO LIVE WITH IT.I HAVE R/A IT DON'T HAVE ME...........
GOD BLESS I HOPE THIS HELP IN SOME WAY
replyre: methotraxate and humaria
cin1007
Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 12:03 AMI HAVE BEEN ON METH FOR 6 MONTHS. MY DR HAS INCREASED MY DOSE ONCE. I AM TAKING THE LIQUID ORAL MY DR WANTS ME TO START ENBREL I HAVE NO INSURANCE AND CAN NOT AFFORD 1000 A MONTH.THE METH DOSEN'T SEEM TO BE WORKING AS I DO HAVE PAIN. GRANTED I HAVE BEEN IN WORSE PAIN. I AM STILL TAKING PREDNISONE,5MG, BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT MEDS. I AM TIRED OF IT ALL. DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. ALL THE MEDS COST AND THE SIDE EFFECETS ARE SCARY. I AM READY TO GIVE UP
replyre: re: methotraxate and humaria
Betty
Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 12:14 AMCIN1007.
Please don't talk like that..R/A is mean and nasty......don't never give up on helping yourself find some reelief......... there is help out there for you............I understand how you feel i truly do.my pain at times is almost unbearable.......but, i don't let it get me down.....I scream and cry at lot..........have for years..........Methotraxate helps to stop the spread of r/a so keep taking it ......at least you want be crippled up.....please call this number for help.
Abbott patience assistance foundation............1-800-222-6885
God Bless You, My prayers are with you
Betty in Tenn
replyre: re: methotraxate and humaria
Sharte
Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 10:25 PMI am so sorry for you that the meds are not covered, I hate to hear that! Its so unfair, its not like one asked to be sick, and its a kick in the *** when they throw that at you to. You shouldnt have to pay physically and finacially. I am so sorry. I live in Canada, as long as we have a few health plans, most will be covered(Not all yet) and you do have to qualify by proving nothing else has worked for you(cheaper drugs such as Plaquienil, sulfasalazine, and meth ect) before they will put you on the newer drugs, Embrel, Remicade, Humaria ect. I do know the province next to me has now approved provincially(without buying coverage) to cover Embrel and one other to help people with a few diff forms of Arthritis. Which if I dont qualify here, one day I may move to the next province to be covered. I am sorry and I hope you dont give up , I am so sorry it come down to$ thats just wrong. For one of the richest countries in the world(Not like its 3rd world). I have days when i want to just give up on meds and let nature take its course, but then as the pain hits harder, I rethink that and take my meds. I do have 4 kids who rly on me. As well hopefully one day grandchildren i can watch grow up. If you ever need to talk this is a great avenue. Or even face book . Or even if you want call me to talk I can give you my number if you feel like ever having a heart to heart. DONT GIVE UP, Bless you shan.
replyre: re: re: methotraxate and humaria
Miss Usha
Monday, June 16, 2008 at 10:11 AMEver tried or looked into yoga as an option ? Have RA, not as severe as yours perhaps but have been on medication for 5 years. Am doing breathing exercises which are good for your nervous system which in turn affects your immune system. Its not a lot of hocus pocus stuff there is a lot of science behind it. Go to the internet and google 'pranayam' and read about. Unlike drugs there are no side effects or any downside to this therapy. I know many people who do regular yoga and swear by its positive effects. I'm willing to try anything that might help me wean myself from strong drugs/chemicals. May not cure the disease but at least all this chemical junk wont totally poison my body and destroy the healthy parts !
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Shots or no shots
Miss Usha
Monday, June 16, 2008 at 09:45 AMI was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago. Dr. started me on methotrexate and enbrel right away. Was working at the time and still had flare ups with the medication. Switched me to humira after a year on the enbrel. Dont have very many symptoms except my wrists hurt if I carry /lift heavy things. Yes, my hair did fall out. Not bald, but thinning. Am afraid to stop the medication because the blood tests reveal progression of the disease and stopping or cutting down on the medication may mean I cant function normally. My husband has been encouraging me to look into alternative therapies, so I am reading all I can about diets and herbal remedies etc. Have started taking ayurvedic pills, yet to determine if they are truly effective (havent been on them long enough). Dr. is of no help, doesnt want to believe there is any benefit in such therapies ! Shouldn't be surprised though. Bottom line, the shots and methotrexate are effective. Only side effect observed so far is hair loss. Big concern though is the long term use of these drugs which is the reason I am trying other things.Remember Celebrex and Vioxx ?
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Methotrexate
by SharteMonday, March 17, 2008
I would like to hear from anyone who has been on the shots. Good or bad side affects. I have to decide if the good out weighs the bad for me. Nausea, hair loss, weight gain, does not sound fun. In the opinion on who has been on it does the good outweigh the bad? whats better for you the medicine or t...
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Life with RA
I didn't take shots so keep that in mind when I tell you my side affects. I took pills. For the first couple of weeks I felt pretty good. Then..I woke up one morning with a rash around my chest to my back. I developed shingles. The doctor said my weakend immune system gave the old chicken pox virus a chance to spring into action. It was bad but livable. I was worried about all the side effects you mentioned but they didn't happen. Course, I stopped taking it when the shingles developed.
Good luck to you
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