No Anti-inflammatories--going nuts here

[sewandsew]

I was always of the opinion that the anti-inflammatories did absolutely nothing.  Well I was wrong.  Now that I am on methatrexate the doctor said no anti-inflammatories and I am going nuts waiting for the methatrexate to kick in.  Took the second dose today and hope I wake up tomorrow with a miracle.

[Joe S.]

I posted an article on pain management on this site. Here is a breathing exercise that helps with pain management.

Find a comfortable position. Close your eyes. With your eyes closed, look to the top of your head.

Breathe into your tummy and think "I am" ... Breathe out and think "calm", repeat.

Practice this enough and you too can have a root canal without pain medication. It was nice to have this when the dentist did not put in as much Novocain as he thought.

[gurs]

why no anti's with metho? no way I could live without them..can you take a bit of prednisone or something? I have pred in 1mg tablets I use, that might also help the side effects of metho maybe?

Gursie

[Linda196]

I'm also wondering why the restriction of NSAIDS with MTX. I've taken MTX for nearly 8 years, and the recommended analgesic of choice was NSAID. I know there are issues combining NSAIDS with high dose MTX as used in cancer treatment, but as far as I've read, as long as recommended by your doctor, NSAIDS are OK with the low doses used in autoimmune diseases. Could you ask him to elaborate when you see him next?

I was cautioned to reduce or avoid acetaminophen (Tylenol), because they can both play havoc with the liver, but was offered an RX for naproxen at the same time as the MTX one.

[jazzlover]

NSAIDS and methotrexate both thin the blood. Same with many natural anti-inflammatories.

[Carebear]

I use Methotrexate, and my rheumotologist is aware that I take ibuprofen extensively to manage my pain.   Neither he nor the pharmacist advised me to stop taking the ibuprofen.

I have read about this warning, however it was referring specifically to the dosage used as a chemotherapy drug, which is about 100 times the dose for treating RA.

[sewandsew]

Not only did the rheumy tell me no anti-inflams but the printout with the Rx states it too.  She also mentioned no wine.  I think it has to do with the liver.

[Carebear]

Sewandsew,

You are correct that Methotrexate can damage the liver.  Is your rheumy testing your liver regularly?  I am tested each month so I can be monitored.

Could your rheumy recommend something for your pain?  It doesn't seem right that you are going through this.

[valene2009]

just thought i would ask.. anyone on methotrexate and it helps the eye dryness?

[sewandsew]

Carebear:  Just started on methtrx last week and I do realize it may not show results for a while.  Little did I know the anti-inflammatories were of some help until I stopped them.

[irish]

Many times the doc will put people on low dose prednisone to help with the symptoms til the methotrexate kicks in. When I was on the MTX it didn't take many weeks before I could feel the difference but everyone is different. Ask your doc about the prednisone. Irish

[Carebear]

Hi Val,

Methotrexate has not appeared to improve the dryness in my eyes.  But who knows?  I probably won't get the full benefit of it for another 3 months so maybe that will be my Valentine's gift. 

Hi sewandsew,

I started to feel an improvement by about week four on Methotrexate.  I hope you feel its benefit very, very soon.   

[gurs]

Its funny how we think things never are working until we stop using them..ha ha.

I learned the hard way with the plaquenil...

Wish there was other than those anti-inflammatories.. i cant live without my motrin, but my tummy pays the price....

Gursie