OH is on 25mg per week subcut MTX plus hydroxy and sulphasalazine and folic acid.
He finds that the two days following MTX he feels really really poorly - extra nauseous, fatigued, just generally rubbish.
Next week we're going on holiday and he doesn't want to feel like this? Has anyone skipped a week and how did they get on?
For the first 5 years I was completely meticulous about taking all my drugs, and especially the weekly MTX. However eventually I rebelled and missed a week for a holiday as couldn't be bothered to take it with me, plus wanted an extra glass or two of wine. Did it make a difference? No.....I just had a more enjoyable holiday!
Now I do it occasionally with no guilt at all and no obvious weakening of the effect of the drug. I personally wouldn't miss more than a week tho'. But this is just my personal experience.
Yes--- totally agree Helix--- when I was on mthx I never took it on holiday with me😊
Yes.... and also dropped to 1/2 dose which is less of a drop but can be a 'rest' from major side effects for the week.
Have a fab holiday
Ali
Agree with what's been said. I did it at Christmas and again after a recent bereavement with no notable difference .
Enjoy your holiday!
I did the same I've took 2 week break for hols and never felt better now been 5 weeks and not taken it at all lots more energy no headaches no nausea I'm not intending to restart it and noticed I had more pain whilst I was on it then I am in now. Good luck
Me too, I've had no headaches, no red swellings and much less fatigue since I stopped the triple drugs.
What do you take now MrsSW and does it control the joint pain?
Paracetamol. It helps with shoulders, elbows, knees. I've yet to find any painkiller that provides relief with my wrists, knuckles, ankles, feet and toes. When my feet etc are very painful I walk and find that after a little while it eases off a bit. When my hands are bad I get outdoors and do a job like mucking out a cow pen with a gripe, or put a few stones on a wall I'm on with, or maybe a bit of gardening. It seems to take my mind off the pains and exercises the muscles and ligaments. I can't do with sitting about, I've always been very active and I'd rather keep going as much as I can now than 'save' myself for some indeterminate time in the future when I will only be fit for the knacker wagon anyway.
Thanks all. Definitely sounds like the way to go then. MandiS are you taking other DMARDS?
Hi sorry only saw your post now. No other DMARDs but if flare doesn't settle may have to reconsider starting to re take the methotrexate 😭
If I remember correctly only a few weeks ago you were posting that you and the doctor weren't particularly happy with his treatment and that it hasn't even been a year post diagnosis? (Not sure this is correct-apologies if I'm wrong)
I understand completely about not wanting to ruin a holiday! However, as Helix commented above she was very meticulous about not missing a dose for close to 5 years before she skipped a dose here or there (if I understood correctly).
I personally waited until I was in remission before I even thought about skipping a dose. Now my doctor and I are reducing my weekly dosage but it took being very well controlled for quite some time before we even considered it.
My opinion is to ask your doctor is he thinks your OH had been well controlled for a long enough period to skip a week or if he has an idea to help during your holiday like getting a steroid jab or taking a lower dose of MTX for two weeks? Also, ask the girls above how long they were well controlled before they skipped a dose- it may have been years later and then again it may have been within the first year and skipping a dose early in treatment won't make a difference.
Just my two cents.
I wish you a very nice holiday and I hope you find the best solution for you!
Lucy.
Hi Lucy,
I do think you may have a point, on the other hand as it takes 6 weeks for mtx to get out of your system, I wonder how much difference one week really makes?
Indeed. It makes sense that one week shouldn't make a hill of beans of difference. My only point I guess is that if disease activity is still high and it's been less than a year since diagnosis maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to ask your doctor his thoughts.
If you've been on the same dose and same meds for a good bit of time and have low disease activity or have had the disease for quite awhile and know more or less how your body responds to the meds then I'm sure it's no big deal. It's probably no big deal even if you're in early days but it sure doesn't hurt to ask your doc if there's something he can offer for two weeks holiday like a steroid jab rather than just skipping.
You have a point Lucy but OH has just had a complete gut full of doctors at the moment and I don't want to get into yet another row about it. It's only 1 week off so I think he probably will skip it. Thanks for your thoughts though.
when I get chest infections the consultant says do not take Metho for a couple of weeks till chest improves, I have been ok
UPDATE: 4 weeks on methotrexate
3 weeks into my Methotrexate 
Methotrexate - first week
Missed weekly methotrexate injection
Side effects methotrexate week 10
