Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group MTX {How Much}

Hi, I'm taking 15mgs once a week for the last 8 weeks along with 25 mg of vioxx daily.
I also have a question, I have alot of the side effects and lose about 3 days a week after I take it, have any of you injected it? I hear that injection may cut down some of the worse side effects, do any of you inject it rather than take it orally. I don't think I can do this much longer and keep functioning at a resonable level.
Thanks Rick

I havn't really had any side effects other than some mild nasuia. And that was only for two or three days following taking it. I would feel as though I wanted to gag every time I took a bite of something. This was for the first bite only and then I was OK.
Now I cant even tell when i take it...I take mine on wed after my evening meal.

"ASKicking" "WUDCRVR"
WOOD IS LIKE LIFE
WITH WORK
YOU CAN CREATE BEAUTY

Thanks Gary for posting this abstract ... would be great if we get a 'significant improvements in physical well-being'. I'll take that !!

Cat

Hi Aimee,

Thanks for your post - it helps to hear of others that have done well on mtx. So ... have you stopped the remicade altogether or are you just adding mtx to the mix ?

I'll take your advice about taking the mtx at night, because boy did I feel rotten yesterday. Maybe that'll help. If not, I think I'll check out the possibility of going the injection route.

I'm wondering now why I'm getting bloodwork done every 8 wks ... hmmm ...
Cat

Hi Nina,

Your comments about starting at a lower dose and increasing weekly make me question why I was started at 15 mg. Hadn't thought to ask the rheumy. I'm going to try taking the mtx at night next week and see if that reduces the nausea and generally bizarre feelings I had yesterday. Don't want to have that to look forward to every week.

I didn't realize that you were on mtx along with humira. And it's been 4 yrs. with the mtx. Great that you've had no problems with it. I won't even think about hair loss ... although, since my hair's grey, do ya think it might grow in its former colour ? That's a real pleasant thought !!

Cat

Hi Cat and Rick...I think the injections would help the side effects vs the pills...I started at 20 mgs and only the first shot did I notice a little nausea...maybe because of nerves. 8 weeks is probably fine on the bloodwork, ask him and see what he has to say. A good rheumy is everything, and should be open to any questions. And yes, I'm still on the remicade for now...I just saw him today, and he said it works better w/mtx, so he didn't want to give it up yet. I've only had 3 infusions, so I guess I'm ok with that. He IS the doctor after all, and has never treated any of my concerns lightly, and even wrote me a scrip for massage therapy today, because he said that would help w/the si joint pain! Pretty cool, because my insurance will cover it for health reasons, and I didn't even have to ask him! Hope you guys are all doing ok,

Aimee

Scott, Aimee, Hallie, Caitlyn and Gabriel

hi cat,

i take 12.5mg of mtx per week now after six months....i'll go to 15 in a month
i started out at 5mg...up to 7.5mg after two months...up to 10mg after another month.
my dr. (rheumy#4) was worried about the problems i'd encountered with five other meds in the
previous preceeding two years...so he didn't want to rock the boat too badly to start,
but i had no other options...i don't like this med at all...i feel toxic - glow in the dark-
aloha ben

it has taken the cork-screw feeling out of my right eye...but isn't really working on peripheral joints much at all.

I am on 15mg a week and believe the maximum you can take is 25mg.

It does not help me at all. But it was the last medication available.

Take Care
Wayne

Hi Ben,

Well I can relate to that toxic feeling, though I'm not glowing in the dark just yet. That would be a novel sensation ! I'm hoping I don't continue to feel toxic, tho'. Tried drinking some coffee and whew, not a good idea. That's put me in a pissy sort of mood.

Luckily I haven't had that corkscrew feeling in my eye for a couple of years now. Can always hope that it never returns. Good that it's gone for you, although too bad it's not doing much for the peripheral stuff.

Cat

Kat...Oh if that were only true!!!! LoL...

Stay well, Sherree