Update:
My second dose was uneventful. No issues at all. So glad for that.
Did not get to take a dose last week. I had the crud - so sick - finally started feeling better then felt like it was coming on again - decided to go to dr yesterday, Sinus infection. Started antibiotics...starting to feel better. Pharmacist said I could take the mtx tonight but not to take the antibiotic tonight. Not sure if I want to do that. May wait and take mtx Saturday night and give the antibiotics a few days to work.

As long as the prednisone and plaquenil were working properly, I didn't get sick - just never know what's going to happen with this crappy disease

I just started too. Took my 4th dose 4 mtx on Thursday. I get a wave of nausea a few hours after i take it but it barely lasts an hour. I do feel very drowsy for a day or so. But i'm definitley doing better with RA symptoms.

Weird thing though. Maybe y'all can tell me if thid is a side effect. My skin feels sensitive and a little sore on my feet of all places. Not sure if the mtx or something else.

Stephen

Stephen, I'm so new at the MTX I don't know what's normal either. Does seem strange to have sensitive feet with it....but maybe that's just your bodies way of dealing with the chemicals.

I took my third dose Saturday night. I was very tired Sunday for most of the day. But it could have been from babysitting my grands - two out of three were sick and I didn't get in bed until 1:30. Just glad my husband wasn't sick at the same time.....he can be more needy than my babies...ha

Last night was my 4th installment of MTHX, I slept for 11 hours, this seems to be the normal reaction I get after taking. Eyes want to close and stay closed. Last week on the 4th day I was super nausea and had to nap 5 out of the 7 days after work. I also am having side pain, I may need to call on this new one. I take folic acid everyday

I totally understand about the eyes wanting to close....me too!

I noticed this morning I'm having a little more than normal hair loss. Was really hoping that wouldn't happen.

Not feeling so good about the MTX . Have started feeling bad in the afternoons - almost flu like with cob webs in the brain...worse by day 4, which was yesterday. Got sick last night....thought I pulled every muscle and nerve in my body. I was holding my youngest grandbaby....my husband rushed to take him so I have get sick with a little dignity...if that's possible.

I feel terrible - too much noise makes it worse. I'm some better today...will be even better tomorrow....then start all over again Saturday night.....Joy!

Not sure how long it takes to start working but tomorrow wouldn't be soon enough.

I'll be asking for Folic acid next week at my rheumy appt....maybe that will help with the side effects.

I had a bad night last night...woke up crying from knee pain - usually only last 30-45 min, but this went on for about 2 hrs. Almost 52 yrs old and woke up crying like a baby....sad.

I'm usually a very upbeat, happy go lucky person - today is an off day, pitypotty moment....Tomorrow will be better.

i take folic acid daily, daily. ask them to call it into your pharmacy tomorrow.

i like, also, taking leucovorin - the rheumie says 12 hours after the injection and it helps me.

sleeping off a methotrexate drunk is not always an option - but if you can, do it.

depot

I feel you about the methotrexate. I'm not a big fan of the side effects myself. I tend to have no motivation and can sleep endlessly. And when i am "awake", I feel half stoned and lethargic. I have noticed a bit of relief when I started taking folic acid as well. It definitely helped with the mouth sores too.

depotblue - I took your advice and asked for a Rx of Folic acid on 2-11. It has helped. I still get a little sick for about 5 days but not near as bad. The brain fog isn't as bad. I still am very tired the next day after taking the mtx, but I can live with that. Thank you.

My right leg is killing me - the whole leg hurts. I hate when this happens - Sooo painful.....feels like a deep, deep, bone pain.

Going to rheumie tomorrow for blood work...I really dislike needles!

Rheumy visit yesterday for bloodwork. After my next visit I can start having my bloodwork locally - that will be a big help. It's a 2 1/2 hr trip-one way- to his office.

I was almost scared when I checked out - I haven't met my deductible this year and thought I would have to pay upfront, like normal. Much to my surprise I didn't have to pay anything except my $35 copay. Guess they got tired of having to refund me hundreds of dollars each year.

I should get my results back in a few days - not sure really - just know the bloodwork is because I'm on Mtx.

He added Lodine to my meds. Should help with the "bone" pain...I know bones don't hurt, but that's the only way I know to explain it.

The Lodine was like eating candy...does not work for me. The MTX is working but not well enough. Thinking he will up the dose...really need to get off prednisone.

The folic acid made all the difference in the world! The morning after MTX is almost normal. I find by lunch I'm tired but manageable.

I had a sinus infection - probably have another one but have been treating with otc meds - decongestant - seems to be working - don't want another trip to a dr.

Would love to go to bed and wake up pain free - --

I had a Rheumy visit today. My labs from 6 wks ago look good. #'s are slowly coming down...that's a plus. Still having some swelling and pain. He's increasing the Mtx to 8 pills per wk....not sure how I feel about that. It's a 2 hr trip from my house to the Rheumy....by the time I arrived this morning my feet and joints were so stiff, took a bit to losen up.

On the up side, I have lost 11 lbs since my visit 6 wks ago...very happy with my efforts! Maybe by my next visit in 4 mths I can have an additional 20 lbs off....here's hoping!

Get switched to liquid mtx, not nearly as bad as the pills. shots are easy to self administer.

I started liquid MTX 7 weeks ago (counted my sharps) lol and what a difference. I do 25 mg or 1 ML and I feel really good. I take Folic acid everyday as well.

Great on the weight loss. I started freaking out. I lost 25 lbs in the last 6 months. I always lived with a "diet mentality" so I was eating that way. Lean Cuisines, forgetting to eat (meds make me not hungry) and so on. I was actually starting to feel sick,...realized it was from not eating. Now I snack throughout the day on small things that are healthy.

Two things that are very disconcerting to me:

1. Not taking folic acid. [I have never in 25 years heard of NOT taking folic acid with MTX].

2. Starting on such a large dose. Typically they'll start on something like 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0, then titrate upwards as needed.

About zinc and whatever else....unless blood tests say you need them, I wouldn't take them Never take any supplements unless blood tests warrant them and they're prescribed by the doctor [Folic Acid excepted]. Many supplements can be toxic if you take them when you don't need them.