The Methotrexate effect!

General Blog
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Even though my GP advised me to stop taking Methotrexate last Tuesday and to take an anti histamine once daily to help with my swollen sore upper lip - I have yet to experience any relief.

Today, Monday, is my Mtx dose day which obviously I am not taking. I googled for information regarding "How long does Mtx stay in your system" as my Dermatologist's office said that it doesn't stay in your system very long.....Googled info said "72 hours." Which is really confusing... as, the obvious questions is, why do you take a weekly dose if it only stays in your body 72 hours? Oh Dear.... I am sure that it would all be quite simple to figure out... but my fuzzy head and physical lethargy makes the math way too complicated.

So, here I am. Exactly a week from my last dose and still experiencing the nasty side effects.

I am sorry to hear that others are experiencing similar problems associated with the drug. My Doctor said that one in ten experience severe side effects... ulcerous upper lip being one of them. Thanks Golfnut for your comments..I am so sorry to hear about your experience with the drug. I just decided to take another folic acid tablet which might help. (I was taking one tablet once a week)

So, did it help my psoriasis? Well actually it made very little difference. Did it help with my PsA? Really difficult to know as I was just diagnosed with PsA a week or so before taking the drug. I do know that I am tired of being tired. And my feet, ankles and knees feel as though they belong to someone else. My energy level is at an all time low and I am really becoming rather a bore to be around.

I recently had a bone density test and discovered that I have the bones of a 45 yr old.... Not bad considering that I am almost 65 yrs old.

I have an appointment with my Dermatologist at the end of this month. So hopefully by then my body will be cleansed of Mtx and ready for the next medical experiment - or not!

Next time I will research the drug completely and make a sensible decision before jumping in feet first. My cautious mind says "just eat sensibly and exercise regularly and let mother nature heal my body" - you never know.. maybe there isn't a quick fix.

I do know, however, that Mtx was not for me.

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Sorry that it didn't work for you- sounds like your doctor agreed, too. I had a rough time with it at first, and still do sometimes even with 5mg folic acid each day, but it's made my hands and feet move easier- definitely can tell when I have had to miss a dose! I hope you find something that works for you, and is easier to tolerate. Maybe ask about injectable methotrexate, if you'd be willing to give it a go again, with leucovorin calcium the day after and more folic acid? From what I've read, injectable MTX is easier on the system than a lot of things. I hope you get some energy soon!

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Hi Sybil.... and Rosen.. for your comments.

The doctor had me on 5mg (1 tablet of Folic Acid ) once a week (Mtx on Monday and Folic Acid on Fridays)

Wow.. you took 5mg of Folic Acid 6 days a week... I am sure that it would have helped... I will definitely continue on with my Folic Acid (once a week) until I meet with my Dermatologist on the 28th... I will also ask him about injectable MTX...

I do think it makes my feet move easier... so I am prepared to try anything that works.

Thanks again for your support.. so much appreciated.

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Oh how right you are, Sybil.

I was just thinking about my water intake.. I live in a remote rural area in the far north of New Zealand and my only source of water is rain water/tank water.. I noticed that the water was rather murky over the past few weeks and have avoided drinking it...(lots of berries and leaves have filled up the spouting). but I have found a new source of fresh, clean water and will load up on it... like a squirrel with his nuts... Today I will start on 6-8 glasses of water per day... thanks for the reminder....