I got the best tan of my life when on it:)
I also had terrible mentstral bleeding:(
Good luck.

A tan would make me happy...hahaha. Someone once told me that everything looks better tanned.

I can't handle stomach aches....I hope, hope, hope I don't get that. I'm starting on the pills (4, I think.) I'd much rather do the injections if it would save me stomach upset. Though I think the dose I'm starting is lower than the injection amount, right?

I had to get my mtx decreased for originally I was on 1 ml (25mg) and it was giving me a migraine headache, nauseas, and made me zonk out the whole Saturday afternoon and all the way up to noon the next day, so now I will be starting on 0.6ml and was told to start taking (this will blow your mind) cough syrup DM (as long as it has DM it actually should take away the effects) my rhemmy said to take a tablespoon the day before and one the day after I take my methotrexate, I haven't tried yet but I'll let you know.

My rhuemy also told me about the cough syrup, told me to take it on mtx days. It suppose to take away the nasty side effects of mtx.

=)

Good luck on mtx, it really helps, but after 2 years I had to quit, I just couldn't take the side effects anymore. I actually feel better/great/fantastic without it, but at the beginning of RA I think it is needed. My orencia seems to work better without it.
Lin

I have an issue called Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and although it's not a liver issue it is a biliary issue...so I'm so of nervous about taking mtx. The rheumy says it should be an issue, but for "peace of mind" I scheduled an appt with my gastro dr for Monday.

I'm definitely going to ask about the cough syrup!

I have never had any stomach problems, I take them Friday night so if I am zonked out it's on the weekends.. My doctor told me to take 1000 mg. folic acid, I'm not sure what it does, but I figure any vitamin can't hurt. I am experiencing hair loss and I have been on it for 5 months but there is an rx for that it counteracts the hair loss. Other than being a bit tired on Sat. I am feeling better. And staying out of the sun per direction on rx. Trish

started with 5 pills..had diarrhea every week for 2 days...switched to injectable same amount and made sure I ate before I did the shot. No upset stomach that way...Stay out of the sun...I ended up with sun pisoing after 5-10 mins ...not a fun thing to have... It does make you tired...I do my shot in the a.m. as you are not supposed to lay down within 20 mins of doing the shot.....blood tests are required every 4-6 weeks while on mtx... I read the side effects the first time...Then I wait to see if anything shows up..so far nothing and Ihave been on it for 9 yrs now

That's reassuring Trish and Cassie. The weekends are my time with the hubby. He travels Monday through Friday. So I'll probably take it during the week...just in case. I'm very very fortunate to be a housewife, albeit a lousy one at the moment. Just thinking about vacuuming wears me out! hahaha I'm sure all of you know that feeling.

My real life story - it worked super slow. It only made me tired the first time I took it, where I felt a little flu-like. Then, I learned to take it right after dinner on Friday so that I had 10-12hrs to sleep. Really did ok on it.

Felt about 70-80%better, but doc wanted full clinical remission so enbrel was added. SO GLAD IT WAS TOO, because at about month 6, my liver enzymes elevated...had to go MTX totally. And quit enbrel too.

Somehow, symptoms stayed away except two joints for well over a year. RA is slowly returning. Recent labs were perfect and xrays were good so I'm actually having a hard time getting my rheum. doc to put me on sulfasalazine or plaquenil. Go figure!

You will be fine. Just stay true to blood work appts. And give it the full time frame to work with the least number of pills.

Hi RCross.
here's my story ...
I take 10 MTX pills (25mg) every Friday morning. I've had no side effects at all. But my doctor has me taking folic acid supplements and those are supposed to reduce the side effects of MTX.

I also do some things to support my stomach and liver:
1. I use Omeprezole (brand name is Prilosec) 20mg an hour before breakfast and another 20mg an hour before dinner. That could also be helping to avoid any stomach issues.

2. I take probiotics daily--not yogurt, but enteric coated acidophilus capsules. They really help regulate my digestive tract.

3. I use detox teas and take supplements to cleanse and support the liver. (I work with an acupuncturist for this.)

The MTX has helped me a lot, and I'm glad I haven't had any problems with it. I hope it works well for you too, and without any side effects. Good luck!

Hi. Bluedogs2 pitching in. I took my 1st dose of MTX yesterday a.m. - 5 pills along with a folic acid pill, about 30 minutes after breakfast. Waited all day for the sky to fall ... nothing yet. Rested ok last night - normal for me anyway. Stiff this morning but that worked out slowly. Had a bit of a headache and soreness earlier so I asked about the tylenol. Since then, nothing. Still a bit AWARE of every little feeling in my arms, shoulders, elbows and left leg, but ok for now. Ealier this afternoon, I had a mosquito land on me and I just freaked. A flood of stories about folks my age getting bitten by the little bugs and ending up in the horse pistol with west nile. They had underlying problems (like this stuff, I guess) anyway to my rambling point, I guess we really have to be aware and CAREFUL now - Being nervous is natural. That's it for ole bluedogs2 for now. I hope it helps.

RA Sally..... My doctor told me I'd be taking a prescription strength folic acid to help the MTX work. I'm so confused. But we haven't discussed the actual days I'd be taking it yet...but I'm definitely going to ask about it on Monday!

Thank you everyone! I'm feeling much better about starting the MTX journey. My rheumy said I'd have to do lab work every 2 weeks for the first 3 months. He really wants to stay on top of any liver issues.

Methotrexate is an anti-folate, it temporarily interrupts the DNA replication of rapidly dividing cells.
I had fatigue, GI upset, headaches and stomatitis with it and was started on folic acid. Initially was on tablets. Then was switched to injectable.
After switching to injectable, the GI upset went away, fatigue and headaches dissipated.

The DM can help as it hits the same receptors in the brain as morphine without the sedation, etc. BUT it can cause rebound headaches. I know. I have a history of migraines and had never had a rebound headache until I used it for MTX headaches. I know others have had luck with it.
MTX and Folic Acid compete for binding sites, so check with your rheumie to see if you should take them together or within 12 hours of each other.

Started mtx 2/1 and take 1000 mg folic acid daily. No harm no foul; everything seems to be working. Blood test are actually improving so I have my fingers (which I can almost cross) crossed that this will be the extent of the meds. Oh but I forgot I am also taking something to treat my hair falling out-I can only cut it so short after all. A girls gotta look sharp even if we are indisposed! Everyone have a wonderful & painfree weekend. Trish