You go on the injection. That is the only way I could stop the nausea. I even tried nausea medication. That made me sleep all day.

I take the injections after the pills made me lose much of my hair. Daily I take Folic Acid. And 12 hours after the injection I take 5 pills of Leukovorin. I have no noticeable side effects. Hope you get the right meds.

Switching to injection was the best decision I ever made. I take 20 mg via injection and 20 mg of Leucovorin 18-24 hours after.

Hey Buttercup, you will find that most people take 20 to 25mg of MTX if it is used as a sparring drug to get off prednisone. I strongly recommend that you take leucovorin because it protects the brain from the bad effects of MTX. Leucovorin is a strong folic acid. Your doctor will have you lower the prednisone as you move up the dosage of MTX. The leucovorin should help you feel better. Good Luck.

I agree with everyone else. I never even tried taking the pills. I had enough stomach problems as it was so my rheumy had me do the injections right away. She added Leucovorin 8 hours after my injection to help with the side effects of the MTX. You should also be taking a daily Folic Acid supplement,

Every time I took 6 or more pills at a time for my weekly dose I would get intense headaches and end up throwing up. My doctor suggested splitting them up into sessions of two during the same day between 6 hrs. That has helped a lot. I can now tolerate the 6, but splitting them helped a lot! See if your doctor will allow that.
Other things that helped...Phenergren. Zofran did nothing for me.

Thank you, everyone, for all of your advice. I have decided to try and bring my CPK number down without the Methotrexate. I love this group. Everyone is so helpful and kind.

Love to All
Buttercup Kitty

Hi Buttercup. Are you still on Prednisolone? Have you thought about changing from the MTX to something else ? Are you stopping your Meds in discussion with your Rheumatologist. Just thought I would ask as don't want your CK to rise and have to start at the beginning. Am sure others here will come on and advise. Go easy, stay well. Autumm

Update

In March (2013), my CPK was slightly over 1000. My rheumy wanted to sock it with a one-two punch of 60mg Pred everyday and 12.5mg Mtx on Sunday. I was afraid of the possible stomach trouble, but I agreed to take the meds as prescribed.

Surprisingly, throughout the rest of March to May, I was able to take the meds without any tummy problems. Also, I felt a bit more strength in my leg muscles, and had a bit more A.M. energy.

On March 29, my CPK test was 280 (!) Yay! My rheumy reduced the formula to 40 Pred & 15.Mtx. Took this one for 8 wks, then had another blood test.

On July 29 my CPK was 186 (!!) Now I'm on 30/15, and will get another CPK in September. I'm hoping for 160., and 20/12.5.

Another surprise...my stomach seems to be getting better, too. I'm able to eat 1% dairy (but I still have to watch serving size), and the Mtx pills don't mess up my digestion like it did last year.
.
Thanks, everyone, who suggested injections. Right now I can take the pills, but if tummy acts up, I'll switch to shots. Ugh.

I also try to walk up and down a ramp (made over steps) at least 3 times a (daylight) day. The incline pulls my back leg muscles, and forces me to keep moving.

Purr, BK
=^.,.^=

Great news, Buttercup. Yay! I will pray that your positive progress continues. Best wishes to you.

Hey Buttercup, I would take 4 MTX pills at lunch and 4 MTX at dinner. If you break up the dosage then it helps a lot with the nausea. Ask your doctor if this would be right for you.

You may want to discuss your strategy for throwing up with your doctor. I know most diabetics may go low after throwing up. Be prepared with some orange juice or seven-up if necessary.

It may be helpful to run a blood sugar before and one hour after taking MTX to see if it causes a rise or drop in your blood sugar. I know prednisone will cause a rise in sugar. Knowing what the meds will do to your sugar is always helpful so you can be aware.

Be thankful that there is such a thing as the blood sugar machine. My dad went for 50 years as a type 1 diabetic on the earliest form of insulin before the machine was invented.

There is a wonderful book that I highly recommend for diabetics:
Diabetes Without Fear by Dr. Joseph I. Goodman by Avon Publishers.

Good luck and keep us posted.

I have never noticed nausea after taking 5 pills, mainly because I have constant constipation. I did have diarrhea over a period of 4-5 days a few weeks ago and have no dea what caused it, but I took kaopectate and that worked.