Plaquenil vs Methotroxate????

[strbay]

Plaquenil vs Methotrexate....Be sure to know the potential side affects and what monitoring needs to take place. I thought I was told that with Plaquenil you need to monitor your eyes more carefully.... With both drugs you would need regular blood tests to monitor various blood counts as well as liver function. I know that I have to watch my white count (it tends to drop when I am on my higher dose of Mtx).

The nausea.... Mtx is also a chemo drug... (Yes, I usually feel nauseated for a day or so after I take my once a week dose (either by tablets or injection). My Rheumy claims that there is an ingredient in cough syrup that actually conteracts that queezy feeling. I just don't feel like taking one more drug... so I deal with it since the Mtx has truly helped keep things under control. I take Mtx with Arava- Mtx is often cocktailed with another drug. The Mtx can help the body from building up a tolerance to the 2nd drug, making ineffective after while.

The other annoying problem with Mtx can be extreme fatique.... I take my shot or tablets at night....that way I don't notice some of those symptoms as much. Also plan to take the drug on a day where perhaps it's okay to take it ease if you are more tired the following day (like perhaps a Friday night).

The Mtx did not help very much alone, hence we added another drug... and if the Arava (for me) hits a plateau my rheumy says he would combine the Mtx with enbrel or remicade.

Mtx is not a painkiller- it's a DMARD ( a drug modifying drug). The hope is to shut down or control our overactive immune systems that we are dealing with when you have an autoimmune disease. I hardly take anything for pain since doing DMARDs...

Make sure you report any supplements you are taking- especially things like Vitamin E, ecanascia (sp?), ... things that actually improve/increase immune function are not good for people with autoimmune diseases. The hope with Mtx or any other DMARD is to get the disease under control so you can stop or slow down the rate at which damage is occurring. My biggest regret with DMARDs is that I didn't start sooner. Good Luck

[stacynb]

Plaquenil vs Methotrexate....Be sure to know the potential side affects and what monitoring needs to take place. I thought I was told that with Plaquenil you need to monitor your eyes more carefully.... With both drugs you would need regular blood tests to monitor various blood counts as well as liver function. I know that I have to watch my white count (it tends to drop when I am on my higher dose of Mtx).

The nausea.... Mtx is also a chemo drug... (Yes, I usually feel nauseated for a day or so after I take my once a week dose (either by tablets or injection). My Rheumy claims that there is an ingredient in cough syrup that actually conteracts that queezy feeling. I just don't feel like taking one more drug... so I deal with it since the Mtx has truly helped keep things under control. I take Mtx with Arava- Mtx is often cocktailed with another drug. The Mtx can help the body from building up a tolerance to the 2nd drug, making ineffective after while.

The other annoying problem with Mtx can be extreme fatique.... I take my shot or tablets at night....that way I don't notice some of those symptoms as much. Also plan to take the drug on a day where perhaps it's okay to take it ease if you are more tired the following day (like perhaps a Friday night).

The Mtx did not help very much alone, hence we added another drug... and if the Arava (for me) hits a plateau my rheumy says he would combine the Mtx with enbrel or remicade.

Mtx is not a painkiller- it's a DMARD ( a drug modifying drug). The hope is to shut down or control our overactive immune systems that we are dealing with when you have an autoimmune disease. I hardly take anything for pain since doing DMARDs...

Originally Posted by strbay

Make sure you report any supplements you are taking- especially things like Vitamin E, ecanascia (sp?), ... things that actually improve/increase immune function are not good for people with autoimmune diseases. The hope with Mtx or any other DMARD is to get the disease under control so you can stop or slow down the rate at which damage is occurring. My biggest regret with DMARDs is that I didn't start sooner. Good Luck

Could you please tell me how you know this? I am taking a lot of supplements for immune system and I have PA, my Dr. recommended I take them. What do the supplements do to people with autoimmune diseases? Thanks!

[mere]

Staceynb:

Thank you for your most informative and candid post on Methotrexate. I have had my eyes tested by an opthamologist for Plaquenil side effects and my Rheum. will take blood every six weeks for Mtx therapy. I am happy with him, he seems to be on the ball. Also very thorough, ruled out everything before coming to the diagnosis.

He has prescribed Folic Acid to take 24-48 hours after the Mtx. 5 tablets two times per week. Do you do the same?

You mentioned cough syrup as helping nausea. Perhaps it is dextromethorophan?

Mere --

[stacynb]

mere, sorry that it looked as if I posted that info, but I was just quoting strbay because I had a question for her at the end of my post. If you direct your question to her, she will answer you. Thanks!

[mere]

Thanks stacynb for correcting my mis-address.

strbay, Please read post to Stacynb.

Hope everyone has a happy and healthy weekend.

Mere --