methotrexate , first dose

Hi all. I posted asking for info about the use of methotrexate. Since not a lot of people replied I thought I'd update after taking it. I took my first dose last night. I took two 2.5 mg tablets around 7:30 last night with a lite snack and a big glass of water. I researched a lot about the use of this med. and a lot of people reported feeling sick and exhausted the first few days but I am happy to say that other than being a little tired I feel pretty good for me. I think it helps that I've been taking the folic acid (800mg) that my doc. suggested since Monday. Hopefully this stuff helps and I stop flaring every couple of weeks.

Hi BreRosie. Thank you for the update. I'm not certain, but I think that it took a while (weeks?) before methotrexate relieved my symptoms. I didn't have any noticeable side effects. It's good to hear that your first dose went well! Hopefully your flares will be under control soon. Love, Butterflake

Hi BreRosie. Many (if not most) of us are in the love/hate relationship with prednisone!

I started mex. Tuesday evening. I took 3 2.5 mg tablets. I have been taking folic acid as well. I am happy to say to nauseousness for me. I do feel extremely tired and have been taking naps a lot since then. No pain relief yet but it takes a while from what I have read. I hope it works!!!!!!!

I hope this works for both of us. Wish we could find a way to make everyone out there pain free.

So far I haven't noticed much of a change. I still feel crappy a lot but its not as bad as its been in the past. I haven't gotten sick at all from it. Lately I''ve been having trouble sleeping. I go to sleep just fine but I keep waking up anywhere from 2am -4 am. Its been going on for 2 wks, I'm exhausted. Even when I try to nap I'll only stay asleep for 45 minutes or less. I've never had trouble sleeping before. I don't know if its from the mtx or the prednisone or something else.

Hi Lynnwood. I'm Taking 7.5 of pred. daily right now. I was on 10mg for a maybe 6 wks? and have been on 7.5 for a week. I'm going to see my doc. in early Dec. and if this is still going on I'm going to take your advice and say something because I need sleep! He had me on Gabapenten (sp?) for pain. I told him I didn't think it was working so he raised it from 200 mg to 300 mg. I stopped taking it all together. I'm a less is more type of lady. I have no problem taking stuff if I need it but if I don't or its not working then I don't see the point. I stopped taking it around the same time as the pred dose was raised to 10mg. Maybe I'll add the gabapenten back in and see if that helps. I just need to stay asleep.

Hi Lisabeans. I too often feel silly for complaining when I know that so many are struggling so much more than I am. I do think its ok to feel bad though. I find that I'm mourning the loss of the old me. I think that is the hardest pill to swallow. There are times I feel pretty good and its certainly been better than it was before the doc's figured out what was wrong and started treatment but its not the same. I used to always be doing something (taking walks, cleaning, playing with my kids, baking) my husband used to joke that I had caffeine in my veins . Now going grocery shopping is exhausting. ;0) All of it , life, can be overwhelming. I hope you and your husband get relief from your health issues. I added the gabapentin back in last night and I slept all night! I feel so much better this morning. My doc still has me taking 400 mg of hydroxychloroquine. Why did yours have you stop?

Lisabeans, Mine has me on 400mg of hydroxychloroquine every day ,except he had me stop taking it on Sunday and next week I stop taking it on Saturday too. I was on 200 mg for a while but he raised it up to 400mg a few months ago after another bad flare. Now he says he wants to cut it back. He said the 400mg is to much for how much I weigh. Maybe he's going to take me off of it as well? I guess I'll ask him when I see him in Dec. I just took my fourth dose of the mtx on Friday. I think I'm shedding more hair. I could just be paranoid. Have you or anyone else noticed this? Its like when I my thyroid was messed up or after you have a baby.

Lisa, have you seen the uv ray protective clothing at coolibar.com?

Florescent lighting is just as bad as sunlight to me. l have to wear my special clothing anytime I leave the house so I don't get sicker by the uv rays given off by florescent lighting or sunlight.

I wear a cloth bucket hat like Gilligan on Gilligan's island. Ha-ha!