i tried both drugs but my stomach couldnt tolerate either one

Angie, I have been on both MTX and PAQ and I have had stomach issues (before treatment, from when I got sick diarrhea for 8 months and bloating with all foods I ate). The methotrexate at first gave me gastro problems but after a few weeks it seemed to help and the nausea and abdominal pain stopped. And then when I started taking plaquenil if was hard on my stomach for a few days and then after about a week it really really helped me in that respect, I am the most normal and regular I've been in a year and the abdominal pain right after I take it is much lessened. I am very grateful for that. So, let's just hope what ever you start helps in some way. Also, I thought ulcers were from that H. pylori (spelling) bacteria and they treated them with antibiotics now..... if your doctor thinks it might be an ulcer are they talking about trying an antibiotic? I'm not positive on that one, but it's something to consider. I just want you to feel better!!!!
Maruska

Maruska, yes, my GI doc did mention that the ulcer could be cause by that bacteria. He was going to check for that when he did my upper gi. The problem is they say they cant get me in for that until December 1st. My dermatologist doesnt know if I can do the Kenalog or the Plaquenil until we start to get these stomach issues resolved. I really feel like the GI doc is making me postpone treatment for my DM by making me wait so long for the upper GI. It is very frustrating. I am having a stomach CT next Monday which I am hoping may shed some light on things.

Just a thought - can you call the GI and see if there is a cancellation or explain that your treatment plan is being postphoned due to the appt being 12/1? Squeaky wheels sometimes work!
Love Hugs and Prayers :-)

Angie, what about talking to your PCP about trying the anti-biotic, it seems wrong that you should suffer for another month without some treatment. Also, I have been able to get MTX, it's usually just 1 day wait after I request it at my pharmacy. Maybe I can get it because I live in a bigger city, I don't know, but now I want to make sure I have enough. How can they run out of it? Do you know what the recall was about? Makes me wonder about what I've been injecting into my body these past few months.

the recall was just on certalin "lots"of the MTX. There were shards of glass found in some of the vials. According to one of the pharmacists I talked to yesterday, they have been unable to get any info from the manufacturer on when they can expect more.

I am actually seeing my new rheumatologist today. I wasnt scheduled to see her until Nov. 30th but they called this morning and said they had a cancellation. There is a group of GI docs in her bulding and I'm hoping maybe she can help pull some strings to get my upper gi scheduled sooner.

Shards of glass, that's not good!!! My pharmacy has not said anything about that, do you know the lot # so I can check what I have??? I know it's on another post, but I am so glad you finally got a good doctor and some treatment. It took my MTX about 8 weeks to feel like it was working, so be patient and rest. Also, my side effects really lessened with each week.
Here's to good health
Maruska

I dont konw which lots of mtx were recalled but I'm sure if you had one of them, your pharmacy woud have contacted you. At least I would certainly hope they would have!

So far so good on the side effects. I had the injection at around noon yesterday. Feeling fatigued but I normally do anyway these days. Let's hope no more side effects creep up! :)

I did a search because I am concerned too. I found that the shards of glass recall was in October 2010 (a year ago). I wonder if your pharmacy just isn't stocked? I haven't had any problems getting it from my pharmacy either. Either way, I hope you are doing good.

Just found this link with the lots indicated.

http://www.ccao.net/news/?p=77

I dont know what the deal is but there was NO pharmacy in my city that had the injectable MTX. My own Walgreens checked every other Walgreens in town and my dermatologist's nurse called every other pharmacy we have here. You would think that at least one of them would have had new stock by now if it was from a recall in 2010. Weird.

We had a DM physician come to our support group yesterday and he said there is a nation wide shortage, so stock up if you can. Not sure how long it will last. The injectable is more potent, as you absorb it better so the same dose orally is not equal he said.

Shawna

That makes sense! My insurance only lets me get 30 days at a time. :-( I'll be sure to refill before I am out. Good to know.

I would be very upset if I couldn't get MTX, since it works for me. I also can only get one month supply at a time so I don't think I can stock up on it. Maybe if I pay cash for it, I am going to look into that. I found the lot numbers on the website, thanks Lexi. Why do you all think this is just coming out if it started in 2010?


Angie, I am glad that you did well with your first shot. Did you get a case of MTX from your Dr?

I talked to my pharmasist today as I picked up my Methotrexate for next month. They confirmed that it is getting difficult to get it but it isn't due to a recall. There is just a shortage. I asked what was driving it and they weren't sure but said there are many popular drugs that are getting more difficult. They did say they can still get it but suggested I give them at least a week to fill it. They said my insurance will let me refill on day 24 (24 days after my last refill). Somehow I got ahead anyway and always have 1 dose ahead of my refills anyway. I'll have to put a reminder on my calendar to order it ahead.

I see my Neurologist next week. I'm going to talk to her about this as well. The pharmcist said the pills are still readily available to they have been giving those out instead of the vials if the patient can't wait. For me, the pills will make me very ill so I don't want to go that route.

Seems to me like the drug companies are just fiddling with supply and demand. Although Methotrexate is relatively cheap so I don't get it.