MTX questions

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
MTX questions
10
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 5:08pm

No, I'm not going to start MTX, but my brother is and I'd really like to pass on some real life experiences with it. He's been reading all this stuff on the internet and is a little freaked out by it all. I told him he should come to this board, but I think he's scared off by all the women here, lol! So, any words of wisdom or advice? He'll be taking the tablets. I think he's most worried about the nausea that a lot of people seem to experience. For those who did have the nausea, what helped you with it? I seem to remember hearing that you get more of that with the pills, rather than the injections. Anyway, I'd really appreciate any info you guys might have.

Thanks so much!

Barb

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2004
In reply to: oak_street
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 6:00pm

I really didn't have any horrible side effects to the oral MTX (but switched to the injectible because my doctor feels it is more effective administered by injection). My doctor recommended taking it with food, drinking plenty of water, and taking folic acid. He also said that the pills could be split into two doses as long as they are not taken more than 12 hours apart. By doing all those things (I took 3 pills with breakfast and 3 with lunch), the worst was feeling sort of "full" for longer than usual after the meal. Everyone has such different reactions to medication -- tell your brother not to freak-out because of how someone else might have reacted to it. And, with the usually low starting dosage, there may be no side effects at all.

Rosemary

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Tue, 10-04-2005 - 7:56pm

First, tell your brother we won't bite!! lol

Second, his dr will give him folic acid which helps decrease the chance of nausea. I've been on mtx about 2 years now and no nausea. The only bad effect I had was headaches at 7 pills per week. At 6 I am ok.

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-01-2005
In reply to: oak_street
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 1:40am

MTX did not bother my stomach till I was at 20 mg. for over a year. Taking them at dinner time helps and to drink lots of water. I was not taking folic acid either, this time I am at 15 mg and taking folic acid. No problems yet.

Good luck to your brother.

Hugs,
Vicki

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 7:07am

Hi ya Barb,

I have been taking 20mg MXT tab for 4 yrs + now. I started at 5 mg and over a few mths ended up on 20 mg I had intial hair loss, which freaked me out and I notice I still seem to loose more hair then normal when I was it, so I only wash my hair no more then twice a week now, I have 2 little receding baldy spots on my temple, but my fringe covers it. I also dont seem to have to shave my legs much now either, although this wont benefit your brother.

I some times get a bit of nausea, but nothing to really worry about. I take my MXT on a friday night just before I go to bed. If I forget it, I dont take it in the am as I feel a bit off during the day I wait for bedtime sat night. I also take vitamin sups which have folic acid in them,to reduce the risk of mouth ulcers. I have had the odd ulcer.

Thats really about it for me, plus the regular pathology to monitor your bodies response to an antimetabolite drug.

Barb you brother will be getting all sorts of info of this drug from the net, He should be aware that the doses of MXT for RA are no way as high as the dose when MXT is used for cancer, lymhoma, & leukeamia. Lell.

Avatar for beviej
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 10:54am
HI BARB! I`ve been on MTX for probably 10yrs or more. For a while I was on the inj. But when it became unvailable last yr I went back on the oral. I have not experianced any problems. I di in the past and learned early on to drink myself silly on the day I take MTX. Also am on the folic. Good luck to your bro and yes pleez tell him we dont bite!!!!! Bev
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 1:28pm

Barb, I see you're getting good advice and I don't have

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 5:20pm

Ha! Ha! Only if it's a strawberry 'rita! I talked to my bro last night and he said he's getting all of his drinking in this week before it all has to stop on Friday! Molly, thanks so much for posting the link on MTX. I'm going to forward it to him, along with all the other great info you guys have been kind enough to share. A big "thank you" to everyone for responding to my post so quickly. I know all of your personal experiences are going to make it a lot less scary for him. He's kind of a worry wart, and I know this will put him at ease.

Thanks again!

Barb

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Wed, 10-05-2005 - 7:43pm
((((((((((((( Barb ))))))))))))))), a strawberry 'rita it is and if your brother would like, he can become a member of the Worry Wart Club here.

Molly

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Fri, 10-07-2005 - 11:44pm

I take Methotrexate and Enbrel both, the Methotrexate for about 4 years now and the Enbrel for just a few months.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2003
In reply to: oak_street
Mon, 10-10-2005 - 1:52pm

Hi Dreimutter

Molly