1st dose down! Phew! - Arthritis Message Board

MegHurts · 09-02-2002, 07:42 PM

Well, much to my relief, my first dose of Methotrexate (10mg) went rather well. I took it Saturday night about 2 hours before I went to bed. I snacked with it because I thought it might upset my stomach. (If it did, I slept through it.) The next morning I felt pretty much the same as usual, but I did notice my palms were red and my hands were swollen and that I was a little stiffer all day long. In fact, my hands are still red and swollen. But Im not feeling bad. I havent felt nauseous. I guess Im doing pretty good. I was scared and very nervous about it, and Im glad its over. Now I think Im ready to face this thing and beat it. I am still on the Prednisone (although this is my last week at 20mg, then I go down to 10mg). So that should help keep me comfortable until the MTX kicks in. Im hoping this works for me.

My mom wants me to try "visualization therapy" with her. She thinks I need to get my mind in the right frame to get this thing out of my body. I dont know if there is anything to it or not, but at the very least it would be relaxing for me. Right? I dont know if I'll do it or not, but thats something she's asked me to try. Have any of you done this?

Anyway, that sums it up. Its over. Im officially on MTX. I wont let this thing get me. I can beat it!

~Meg

(on a Positive Mental Attitude day)

Jay Tor · 09-02-2002, 10:55 PM

Do you have full prescribing information on your meds? If not, suggest you go to MedLinePlus and print it out and keep it on hand. You need to know which are mild, moderate and serious side-effects.

Also, keep a record of when you take your meds, foods and side-effects.

If your doctor hasn't mentioned it - be especially careful about hygiene [personal and food preparation] and avoid contact with anyone with a contagious illness. The reason for all these cautions is because both methotrexate and prednisone are immune-suppressants.

BTW - visualization therapy works for some people but not for others and it's been used with all types of patients - kids to seniors, cancer patients to professional sports training. It's especially effective when combined with physiotherapy and/or biofeedback. May be worth a try, but ultimately just use whatever makes you feel most at ease.

Good luck,
Jay

[This message has been edited by Jay Tor (edited 09-03-2002).]

Hellokitty1973 · 09-03-2002, 08:54 AM

Hi Meg -

I'm glad to hear the dose went well!! I'm sure if you were prone to an adverse reaction (like nausea) you would have it by now. Usually, medications get better as you take them, so I'm sure you're good to go!

As for your hands being red and swollen - I wonder if maybe that was just "weather" related? Maybe Sunday was a more humid day than normal? But definitely look into the side effects just to be safe.

How often are you taking this? 1/week?

I am to start Sulfasalazine this week. (I put off picking it up until tonight when I was back from my weekend away!) And I'm afraid to take that since so many people have had sulfa allergies. But, I'm hoping that it will be ok for me - I've never suffered from side effects from any medication before - and I don't want to start now!

Keep us posted on your progress. I'd like to know how soon you start to notice the MTX kicking in!

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~Allison~

MegHurts · 09-03-2002, 10:27 AM

Hi, Allison!

Thanks for replying! I really do feel better now that the first dose is done and over with. Im hoping that since the MTX didnt make me feel weird that I will be okay taking it. I realize Im only taking a very small dose of it (10mg per week) and that as its increased it might cause some problems, but Im at least on it and am doing something about this. Right?!

I hope you do well on the Sulfasalazine. I would have opted to take it, but since my mom is allergic to sulfa drugs and Im allergic to plaquenil, my doctor didnt think it would be good for me. Im sure you'll do fine if you havent had any problems with meds so far!

Let me know how it goes-- seems like we're in the same boat right now. LOL!

~Meg

Hellokitty1973 · 09-09-2002, 08:20 AM

How did the 2nd dose go this weekend? Still feeling ok?

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~Allison~