Hi everyone,
I'm not new to the forum yet it's been awhile since I've been here. 34 years ago I was diagnosed with Primary Sjogrens and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease. I have all of the markers for lupus and RA. Things have been pretty good until this past April. I ended up having a major flare up, couldn't walk, use my hands, hardly anything. My old rheumatologist did barely anything. My family doctor put me on Prednisone, 40 mg and I started getting my mobility back. I saw a new rheumatologist last week and he has put me on methotrexate injections since pills made me sick. I'm taking .6 CC's, 3 mg folic acid and 7.5 mg Prednisone. My question is how do you deal with the fatigue? My job requires travel, usually on a weekend. I took my first injection Friday evening. Any and all suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Deb
Welcome back! Sorry it's because your health has taken a downturn.
I've taken MTX for 20 years, the first year was by oral ingestion, and I had no problem with it, but also didn't have the positive effect we were looking for , so I was switched to injectable, and I've taken 0.6 ml the whole time, with minimal side effects. In fact, probably no side effects, but I sort of got in the habit of allowing myself to feel the fatigue, nausea and mild headache I almost always have, but letting it take over a bit the day after my injection, effectively giving myself a day of rest.
The fatigue is almost impossible to deal with sometimes, and as I said, my way is to allow it for a defined period, and then just trying to push through the rest of the time. I try to keep my overall health optimal; eating well, listening to my body's demands, avoiding all the things we know aren't good for us (smoking, drinking, excessive sugar/fat/additives, ect).
It's taken a while, but I now realize that falling into a nap as I sit watching TV or whatever isn't a failure, it's a necessity. If I can't get all my housework done every morning, it will still be there in the afternoon or the next day. Doing several small jobs is just as effective as doing it all as one big job, just takes longer and is less stressful. When I can, having a helper is a good thing, not a weakness. That also involves realizing that not everyone does chores in the same way and getting used to having things done, just not in "my" way. And none of these changes are "giving in" they are adapting to altered circumstances.
Thanks Linda! I just did my second injection on Friday. No real side effects except for a little upset stomach today however breakfast had more sugar than I normally eat. My rheumy started me on the .06 as well. I'm glad there's been no side effects as I travel on weekends sometimes for work. I appreciate the feedback
I had methotrexate injections for about two years. I had no apparent side effects. The reason for the Methotrexate is that is allows you to taper from prednisone (that's one of the uses of methotrexate). Unfortunately, my liver enzymes became elevated which is a sign that my liver was affected. I did take the folic acid, but that liver problem continued, and I stopped the methotrexate.
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I now take Leflunomide. Leflunomide is in a class of medications called disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). It also may affect the liver, but it doesn't seem to bother me. I am withdrawing from the prednisone very nicely, which is why I take it.
Many many people take methotrexate very successfully. You're in the right place for support and information, Debbi
Elaine