Are injections or tablets most effective?

[Twitty999]

I am now up to 25g of tablet form Methotrexate after 9 weeks but no relief from symptoms. I read that the injection form is 25% more successful and I'm thinking of asking for it instead of adding sulfosalizene which is what my nurse is suggesting..anyone any suggestions please? 😕

[Simba1992]

I have also understood that injections in fact have a stronger effect. And on top of this may reduce GI problems. Sounds like a good idea to try the injection since many have in fact been able to reduce dose when switching to injections. I am always for the more conservative route😊. New meds always bring new challanges for the body. Be sure to hold on to what for you feels best. Good luck.xxSimba

[Twitty999 in reply to Simba1992]

Thank you so much for your helpful reply Simba, I think I will suggest the injection rather than more tablets & wishing you good luck too on this very confusing & painful journey 😊

[Simba1992 in reply to Twitty999]

Yes Twitty999, it is all very overwhelming at times. 9weeks on mtx is also not a very long time. Usually takes 3m for effect to kick in. Not a bad idea to eliminate gluten and perhaps dairy for a month, since often have a calming effect on inflammation.Always worth a try😊👍🏻xx Simba

[Paula-C]

When you take mtx orally some of the dose gets lost whilst it works it’s way into your system, if you inject it the whole dose gets straight into your system....that’s what my consultant told me when I changed from tablets to injections. I told him that surely a little bit extra wouldn’t make that much difference, he said it would and he was right. Suppose nobody knows just how much gets lost in our digestive system, we are all different.

I thought about this and came up with the following. At the time I was also taking 6 x 500mgs of Slz as well, a daily dose of that was 3,000mgs so a weeks total was 21,000mgs. My single weekly dose of mtx was 20mg. When you compare the two weekly doses of the drugs you can understand how even 1mg of mtx can be a lot.

If your happy to inject you can ask them and see what they say. x

[Twitty999 in reply to Paula-C]

Thank you for that info Paula-c....I will definately ask to try it

[Vonnie10]

And pills are filled with fillers as well so keep that in mind .

[Hidden]

I did and please don't worry about injections, i honestly donot feel mine, they train you and metoject does it all for you. I believe it does get more into your system as others had said and reduced my days of nausea. All the best whatever you decide

Keren

[Kai--]

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Merely supplemental information, Twitty999 ( 🐣 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ )

Nice infographic overview of Methotrexate (MTX) along with 3 other DMARDs (Disease Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs) [Leflunomide (LEF), Sulphasalazine (SSP), Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)] that you might find useful: bmj.com/content/bmj/suppl/2...

It includes recommended monitoring & conditions that may interfere with treatment.

Hope it helps, 🐣 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ . . . . . 🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

.

[Article: bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j32... ]

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[Twitty999 in reply to Kai--]

Thank you for that info Kai...gosh its a bit scary seeing all those side effects...its so difficult to know whats best..we can only be advised by the professionals I suppose

Kind regards

[Kai-- in reply to Twitty999]

.

Agreed, 🐣 9️⃣9️⃣9️⃣ / Tricia. 😌

We have to weigh in balance ⚖️ benefits vs. drawbacks with our professional advisors 👩‍⚕️ 👨‍⚕️ .

[Found it helpful to think 🤔 in LARGER 🌐 context — big-picture 🖼 , loooong-term 🗓 🗓 pros & cons.]

Yes indeed, it is scary. 😨 👻

Some re-frame "side effects" 🤢 😴 😵 as not being mere 'side' effects, but full-fledged 'effects' . . . 🤔 (Guess it's all in how we view things . . . 🤔 )

Our body tells us things, & we struggle to understand what it's saying.

Hoping you find relief soon, Tricia. 🙏 😌

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🙏 🍀 🌺 🌞

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[Joy_1]

I moved from tablets to jabs about 4 months ago. My dosage is 17.5mg. I did not find going from tablet to jabs allowed me to reduce my dose. Though I know of a couple of folk I have met being able to reduce slightly. What it did do however was end 99% of my GI issues - bliss!!

A while ago I posted this link which talks about the majority of ingested MTX being excreted by kidneys. Around 50 seconds in.

youtube.com/watch?v=4_nleHL...(Not working as expected?)

[Twitty999 in reply to Joy_1]

Thank you for that info joy...I wont even mind if the injected dose couldnt be reduced as long as I could get more relief from it than im getting at the moment as I hate having to keep going back to the steroids as they are so bad for your bones!

Kind regards...Tricia

[Twitty999]

I just want to share that I did change to metaject 25mg and I'm so pleased I did!..Totally pain free injection..no side effects! & no inflammation. ..I dont take anything else except Folic acid..I'm so happy with it..I hope this might help some one else X

[Miasnana]

Found your information very useful thank you