Fred, MTX takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks to show signs of improvement. The folic acid is given to reduce the side effects of the drug. If you are indeed having side effects, you may call your dermatologist; maybe all you need to do is tinker with the dosing of the FA.

Sure you already know this, but MTX does absolutely nothing for the back, but may help hands and feet fill better.

(Tue-17-02-2015, 17:41 PM)mataribot Wrote: Fred, MTX takes approximately 4 to 8 weeks to show signs of improvement. The folic acid is given to reduce the side effects of the drug. If you are indeed having side effects,  you may call your dermatologist;  maybe all you need to do is tinker with the dosing of the FA.

Sure you already know this, but MTX does absolutely nothing for the back, but may help hands and feet fill better.

Thank you Matari, they have given a prescription for 3 months so I will give it a while longer before making  decision. I'm still not sure if what I'm experiencing is down to the methotreate, hence me keeping notes so I can look back.

At the moment it's my shoulders, elbows and knees that are the worst, hands and feet are still bad but I don't remember ever having it like this in my shoulders and knees.

Great idea keeping notes ... i hope your feelings today are something other than methotrexate side effects.. Although they sound frighteningly familiar

(Tue-17-02-2015, 22:51 PM)jiml Wrote: Great idea keeping notes ... i hope your feelings today are something other than methotrexate side effects.. Although they sound frighteningly familiar

Yes I thought if I keep a note on here when it happened I could look back and see if there was a pattern (plus my dermatologist has read my posts before now)   , it's been a long time since I last used methotrexate and I thought the injections didn't cause the problems I'm feeling. But yes it is sounding familiar, I'm only on a small does so I will see if it happens again next week.

I've been taking it easy with the alcohol but today said sod it, so at the moment I'm feeling fine.  

*The above is not recommended when using methrotrexate, but then neither is coffee, sunshine, or anything enjoyable.
 

(Tue-17-02-2015, 23:01 PM)Fred Wrote:

(Tue-17-02-2015, 22:51 PM)jiml Wrote: Great idea keeping notes ... i hope your feelings today are something other than methotrexate side effects.. Although they sound frighteningly familiar

Yes I thought if I keep a note on here when it happened I could look back and see if there was a pattern (plus my dermatologist has read my posts before now)   , it's been a long time since I last used methotrexate and I thought the injections didn't cause the problems I'm feeling. But yes it is sounding familiar, I'm only on a small does so I will see if it happens again next week.

I've been taking it easy with the alcohol but today said sod it, so at the moment I'm feeling fine.  

*The above is not recommended when using methrotrexate, but then neither is coffee, sunshine, or anything enjoyable.
 

But, mrs. Fred, sitting next to you on the couch and holding your hand? That should be allowed...? So there are enjoyable things that remain.

(Wed-18-02-2015, 06:44 AM)Caroline Wrote: But, mrs. Fred, sitting next to you on the couch and holding your hand? That should be allowed...? So there are enjoyable things that remain.  

I don't let her hold my hand, she squeezes it if I get out of line. She's also very good at arm wrestling, and has won many a drink in pubs doing that.

Today:
Headache still there but not so bad.
Nausea still there but a bit better.
Tiredness about the same.
Appetite still not right which is unusual for me.

Also not sure if it's related to not eating so much, cutting down a little on alcohol, or the methotrexate, but I've lost 4kg.

Thing are moving in a positive direction ..... Let's hope it continues.... Re weight loss while its a good thing I hope it has been gradually not sudden .... It's probably due to cutting down the alcohol as it has that effect on me ( I think it's worry that I haven't had a drink all day causes me to shed weight )
Good luck

(Wed-18-02-2015, 11:44 AM)jiml Wrote: Thing are moving in a positive direction ..... Let's hope it continues.... Re weight loss while its a good thing I hope it has been gradually not sudden .... It's probably due to cutting down the alcohol as it has that effect on me ( I think it's worry that I haven't had a drink all day causes me to shed weight )
Good luck

No it's over about a week, so I'm thinking loss of appetite and lower alcohol is what's done it. But it's no big deal as I would be happy if I could get back down to my normal 85kg, I'm at 94kg today so will keep an eye on it.

Psoriatic Arthritis still about the same though.

(Wed-18-02-2015, 11:33 AM)Fred Wrote:

(Wed-18-02-2015, 06:44 AM)Caroline Wrote: But, mrs. Fred, sitting next to you on the couch and holding your hand? That should be allowed...? So there are enjoyable things that remain.  

I don't let her hold my hand, she squeezes it if I get out of line. She's also very good at arm wrestling, and has won many a drink in pubs doing that.

Today:
Headache still there but not so bad.
Nausea still there but a bit better.
Tiredness about the same.
Appetite still not right which is unusual for me.

Also not sure if it's related to not eating so much, cutting down a little on alcohol, or the methotrexate, but I've lost 4kg.

This sounds very familiar Fred , I found that it gradually reduced that is until the next injection when we went through it again but after three weeks it got less. I did find that playing around with the folic helped a little. I do know that since I started on the Stelara I have put on a lot of weight mind you I drank no alcohol at all when I was MTX except for a G&T or wine once a month as a treat !!

(Wed-18-02-2015, 14:05 PM)D Foster Wrote: This sounds very familiar Fred , I found that it gradually reduced that is until the next injection when we went through it again but after three weeks it got less. I did find that playing around with the folic helped a little. I do know that since I started on the Stelara I have put on a lot of weight mind you I drank no alcohol at all when I was MTX except for a G&T or wine once a month as a treat !!

Thank you Dave for confirming, you are saying much the same as Jim and you've had the injections so it helps.

Funny you say about putting weight on, I put weight on when I started Stelara, But couldn't say for definite it was the Stelara as I gave up smoking around the same time, as for drink I've always liked a drink and will give up the methotrexte before drink. (life is to short and I want to enjoy what bit I have left)