Injection

[trish1957]

Hi

Had appointment with my consulatant rheumatologist today and she has suggested I should change to injection form of MTX. I currently take 30mg a week in tablet form. Can anyone tell me what checks if any are undertaken before you can start to inject ?

Thanks

Trish.

[oldtimer]

You shouldn't need any extra checks as it is the same drug but fewer side effects with the injection. You usually need less by injection than by mouth.

You will be shown how to inject by the rheumatology nurse usually and then have a go yourself under supervision. If you and the nurse are happy about the technique then you have a prescription for the injections which you can get either from your own local pharmacy or sometimes from a hospital pharmacy.

You will need a special sharps box to put the used injections into safely. Ask how this will be collected/where you take it when full.

Good luck!

[Hidden]

Hiya

I found the injections stopped the nausea with mtx. 30mg is a huge dose! I've never heard of anyone being on that amount. Are you abroad as I know in different coubtries the preparation is different. Your hospital should advise you about blood tests. It depends how long you have been in mtx? I had bloods every 2 weeks at first but now every 3 months.

Hope it all goes well

KiKi x

[Karen77 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, I was told that 25mg was the maximum dose! I have monthly bloods for now, esp as the injections seem to be affecting my ALT and AST levels...

[dazzlebandit]

I never opted for the pill form. When you inject it, I feel as though there are less possible side effects, especially on the stomach. Also, you are getting all of the med. Injection is easy too. They show you how to in the office too. I am on the highest dose available by injection and have no upset stomach or other side effects. Good Luck

[Carolsos]

hello Trish, I have just gone onto injections this tuesday and found it easy to do the injection, I am only on 15mg, but nurse says they will put it up soon. no sickness yet. I take my sharp box back to the hospital when it is full and ring them up before to see if anyone can give me another box and they take the full one. I have to get the injections from the hospital as my doctors dont do the injections.

good luck with the injections. x

[nomoreheels]

Hiya Trish. When I changed over to injections it wasn't necessary to have any further checks, just the normal bloods but at that time I did have annual x rays & had had one only the 3 months previous to starting on injections so maybe that had some bearing. I was on 15mg orally but started on 20mg injections though that was too much for my liver so reduced back down to 15mg where I've stayed for 5 years. At my last visit to my Rheumy 3 weeks ago she decided it was necessary to increase it & wanted to go up to 20mg again but we've decided as my liver was an issue last time I'll try 17.5mg & be tested fortnightly until April & then decide from the results if we try to go up to 20mg. Maybe it will be similar for you, fortnightly testing to see how you're reacting to the change in administering it. I know some Rheumys reduce the dose when changing to injections, has this been discussed?

I hope you find it as easy & a better way to take MTX. Most people report fewer side effects, I lost the nausea which was a bonus! Good luck.