Info about methetroxate?

[Tharrell]

It looks like it's time to go on mx. Rheumy said I really need to get off steroids. I'm now on 20mg again due to pain, mouth ulcers ( she is contemplating behcet's because my daughter has it) uticaria.
Yesterday had to fill in for an employee, I'm a cafeteria manager, and by 12:30 a weird bruise showed up for no reason on my right hand, both hands swollen with swelling up both fore arms and very swollen feet. 36 hours later bruise is fading, but still swollen and now have "ants" under my skin.
My husband is very concerned about me taking mx because I do work in a cafeteria and get several colds a year because of it. He is worried that it would floor me to get a bad infection.
Case in point, one of my employee daughters has a severe case of mono right now.
For the ones that have been on it: How do you protect yourself from all the possible infections?

[Sleepy In Seattle]

I can't explain it, but since being on Mtx (about 18 months now) I have been healthier than I have been in my whole life (I am 45). If it's really what you need and the dosage is right, it can be a total Godsend.

It DOES take a while to get used to - sometimes a few months. Taking daily folic acid can mitigate side effects. Go to the "search" box and serach these forums for "methotrexate" - you will get tons of great info.

I am reasonably careful about taking care of cuts and scrapes and hand washing, but I do lots of school activities with my kid, and I work in a barn, so I am CONSTANTLY exposed to all sort of stuff. If somebody in my family is sick, I ask them to be extra careful about hand-washing, handling food and stuff in the kitchen, and to keep their snotty tissues in a plastic bag instead of throwing them all over the couch, but that's about all the special precautions I take. I used to get EVERYTHING, but (knock on wood...) I have been very healthy this last year and a half. My theory is that the Mtx has FINALLY balanced out my crazy immune system so it's normal and healthy.

I was very afraid of going on Mtx, but it has helped me SOOOOOO MUCH. It was kinda rough at first, but once I adjusted to it it's really no problem for me at all. I hope you have the same good luck. If not, there are other options!

Let us know how it goes...

[lori]

I second what Sleepy says-

I take 2-3 mg folic acid- never had problems with it- at first the next morning ( I take it one weekly with evening meal) I felt a bit weak but nothing terrible- now I don't even notice its supposed to be my "down day"

my rhumey says the patients that end up with bad stuff like cancer are those NOT on mtx and biologics!  the autoimmune of sjs and ra increase our risk of bad stuff.

for me mtx and humira gave me my life back...now if I could just find the magic bullet for the stupid ibs!

[Tharrell]

Oh Lori, I second that about ibs. I always forget about the triggers and once in a while I get nailed. Thank you both for your info on mtx. Maybe it will reassure my husband.

[Tharrell]

Rheumy just messaged me and wants me to come in Wednesday due to my worsening flair.

[Nancy60]

I've been on methotrexate for about 2 months now,, I also work with kids, holding them, holding their hands, close to their face etc...  So far I've not had an issue even with seeing a couple that came down with strep throat the day after I worked with them. I'm hoping it won't be a problem. I did get some maske to use if they have runny noses etc and am religious about hand washing.

I am switching to injectable next week because of the GI side effects I've had with the pills, but have noticed some improvement wit fatigue and joint pain. It takes 6-12 weeks to notice improvement and my doctor said I should start feeling better within the next several weeks. I hope so! 

Hope it helps you too!

Nancy