I am about to start on Methotrexate for Rheumatoid arthritis.?
Friday, May 14th, 2010 at
9:29 am
Does anyone have any experience on this drug???
Any tips?
Side effects to watch out for???
Can I continue to a have a glass or 2 of wine from time to time???
Tagged with: about • Arthritis • Methotrexate • Rheumatoid • start
Filed under: Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs
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I used to take it. Everyone experiences something different. I took my dose on Sundays at 7am by 11:30 I was ill feeling and that feeling hung around for 1 1/2 days. I did help me considerably,however. I would not recommend any wine….You do understand that Methotrexate is a form of chemotherapy used to help put your RA into remission? It is a very strong drug and I don’t think alcohol is advisable. The only tip I could convey to you is to stay home for 24 hours after taking your dose. I would lose my balance and partial vision after a dose, for an hour or longer.
Side effects include bone marrow depression. Get your CBC checked regularly. MTX can also be toxic to the liver and pancreas. Get your liver enzymes checked. Watch out for nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and abdominal pain. An allergic rash can also be a side effect. An occasional glass is OK, but too much alcohol can increase the chance of liver toxicity.
My son was on methotrexate for around 18 months and had no problems at all and felt great on it. He was started on a low dose initally and it was increased every few months. He had to have FBC every month to check for liver function and other problems, but everything was fine. I think he was told not to get his girlfriend pregnant whilst taking the drug and for 6 months afterwards because of risks to a fetus.
Its a powerful drug but it certainly worked for him. Best wishes, and try not to worry.
I just started using it Friday. The doctor started me on 10mg a week. She said the best time to take it was Friday at supper. That way if I got tired from it I could lay around Saturday. I did not have any problems I worked out in the yard Saturday as a matter of fact. It may get worse as I take more doses I don’t really know. I am taking it for psoriatic arthritis. The doctor also gave me Folic Acid as this helps prevent any side effects. I was told to avoid alcohol though. The pharmacist told me maybe one drink towards the end of the week before next dose but I am not suggesting it. It is jst what he told me. I will ask my doctor when I see her next to be sure.
I am on methotrexate ~ I take 8 tablets a week ~ I have been on this for 3 years now ~ The only thing I have noticed is my body usually aches the closer it gets to the day I take it ~ I take it on Sunday ~ Methotrexate, unfortunately is considered “oral chemotherapy” which I found a little disturbing as it was written on the front of my chart. Some medications interact with the sun, so beware, cover up! Can really raise havok. I wear a hat when outside. I learned by mistake last summer, I was at the ocean and got a serious burn……. so this summer I will be wearing a shirt 3/4 sleeves over my swimsuit.
I am on plaquenil, asulfasalazine, and methotrexate, and take folic acid so as to not upset stomach ~ I have been fine.
With some medications, everyone is different, they told me to be prepared to loose some hair, I have lost some, but not any that YOU or anyone can tell…. but they said I may someday need a wig ~ I havent had this experience. Yahoo.
As for the wine, I dont know what a dr would say ~ but I do the same thing ~ an occasional glass I dont believe is going to do any harm ~ you still have to live ~ and enjoying a glass of wine from time to time is part of my life. I enjoy Bacardi and diet coke ~ on occassion ~ but its just that an occassional cocktail if celebrating an occassion.
Let me know how your doing ~ Dont be afraid to write things down, and ask them when you go to the rhumatologist. I make a list of things, otherwise I forget ~