I Want to Stop Methotrexate

[Forest Walker]

That's good to read, Wooley, that you don't have a trace of psoriasis for the past four years.  Long may it continue!   


I saw the dermatologist on Tuesday morning.  She is expecting a baby in April.  I hadn't noticed she was pregnant during our first consultation a few months ago.  I'll see her in March and then again when she returns from maternity leave.  My gastroenterologist and dermatologist are communicating with each other, so I feel well covered with medical care.

I'm skipping my dose this week, which she said was okay to do.  I'm traveling and helping a family member and didn't want to add the nausea to the chores ahead of me today.  I was taking the six oral tablets on Thursdays, and today is Thursday.  

On the next Thursday, I'll try the injectable MTX.  No more oral.  I'll assess this for about six weeks.  I may continue with it for about a year or two or switch to Stelara.  She said the headaches are not a common side effect of MTX.  I'm quite grateful I won't have the daily nausea, anymore.  

I'm going to increase the folic acid, which I have been taking daily.  

My skin is responding to MTX.  She said it works really well after taking it for three months, which I'm coming close to.  So she persuaded me to continue trying it.  But she did offer a change if that's what I wanted, too.  

Well, we also gushed over new babies and small children as my partner's daughter is about to deliver her second child.  So I may not have been thinking of my intolerance to MTX as strongly as I should have.  And I forgot to ask her to check my ears, as I think I have it in my ear canals, too.

[Kat]

My brother in law in on Methotrexate (for psoriasis) and swears by it so it does indeed work for some people.

I think the important thing for doctors is to find the ones you trust and it sounds like you've done that. Good luck and I hope you see improvements and hopefully no more nausea!

[jiml]

Sounds like a positive consultation Forest I'm glad you will get the chance to try injectable mtx and I hope that helps ease the nausea and it's good you discussed switching to stelara if you find the mtx still makes the nausea unbearable

[Forest Walker]

Thanks, Kat and Jim. 

I didn't take the MTX last Thursday while in Portland, Oregon.  The doc had said I could skip a week.  I have had NO nausea these last several days.  

I'll be injecting MTX just under the skin tomorrow after work.  I'm a little confused on reading the empty syringe, but I'll make 100% certain that I know how much to draw from the vial before injecting.  I have given myself B-12 shots many times and know how to do this.  Humira is easy since it's a pre-filled syringe.  For MTX, it's a small bottle of liquid that is to last a month.

[D Foster]

Thanks, Kat and Jim. 

I didn't take the MTX last Thursday while in Portland, Oregon.  The doc had said I could skip a week.  I have had NO nausea these last several days.  

I'll be injecting MTX just under the skin tomorrow after work.  I'm a little confused on reading the empty syringe, but I'll make 100% certain that I know how much to draw from the vial before injecting.  I have given myself B-12 shots many times and know how to do this.  Humira is easy since it's a pre-filled syringe.  For MTX, it's a small bottle of liquid that is to last a month.

In the UK the MTX is delivered in pre filled syringes but not like the auto retractable type that the Stelara is in. All the best FW and I just hope that it works out better for you.

[KatT]

Oh boy!  Good luck!

Where do you inject with MTX?  Belly?

[D Foster]

Oh boy!  Good luck!

Where do you inject with MTX?  Belly?

I always injected into the belly as it's just easier, four fingers space from the belly button. Hope you find it's going to be much better for you.

[Forest Walker]

I gave up trying to fill the syringe, last evening, Thursday.  I didn't take it.  I was spending a long time trying to get an air bubble out of the syringe when I gave up and watched a video, which showed inverting the vial and withdrawing the liquid in a wholly verticle position.  The last straw for me was when removing the needle from the vial, a tiny, yellow fountain of the drug burst into the air and onto the counter.  

I was over tired when trying to do my first injection.  I'm planning to contact the doctor, this morning, and see if a nurse can show me how to fill the syringe the right way, to avoid air bubbles.  I also don't know if I can use the same vial, if I have somehow contaminated it, or need to order another.  I have oral tablets and could take those today if I can't get help from a nurse.  

I guess I'll be taking this on Fridays rather than Thursdays, now.   It's a better day, anyway, for me.

A pre-filled syringe would be easier.  Thanks for mentioning that, Dave.

I can fill a syringe with liquid B-12.  That's a friendly vitamin.  This little vial of yellow poison is intimidating.

[Caroline]

I so do understand your feeling of intimidation, Forest.

[D Foster]

I would have thought that you could get the pre filled syringes FW, the Stelara ones have retractable needles but the MTX didn't. I normally sit on the bed to do my injection as it's a bit higher, I measure the four fingers distance and pinch a bit flesh with the left hand and hold the syringe at the bottom with my right hand and stick it in. I can then hold the syringe with my left hand at the bottom and move my right hand to the plunger and inject. I don't know what technique you use.
I hope that you get it all sorted and it works out okay.