Methotrexate and hydroxycloriquin : Hello all, some... - NRAS

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Methotrexate and hydroxycloriquin

jomojo profile image
26 Replies

Hello all, some advice on beginning meds please.

Rheumatologist appointment today it was decided after a horrid flare up and A+E visit last weekend that, although I am not presenting typical symptoms for RA or fybromyalgia but seem to have two separate things going on; strong positive antibody-CCP, slightly raised inflammation markers and slight changes on ultasound scans and painful episodes.

I'll now start Methotrexate and Hydroxycloriquin. I'm supervising on an outdoor school trip tomorrow so don't want to start taking them today. I was thinking Friday night so the weekend to adjust to them and see how I go. However I'm taking my parents to Wales for the weekend(

hubby driving) and wondered if this may effect me immediately or I should be fine?

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jomojo profile image
jomojo
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26 Replies

Methotrexate might make you feel nauseous and tired. I've never tried the other drug so can't comment on that.

summer32 profile image
summer32 in reply to

Used to take mine Fri, everybody is different most people fine on thesedrugs but they weren't so suitable for me

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone

You will be fine. Decide that you will be one of the lucky ones who manage very well on Mtx....just take the pills with plenty of water & enjoy your weekend.

Can everyone who is doing well on Mtx please start saying so!

There are so many scared people being prescribed Mtx who read the negative posts & are scared out of their skin.....they need our support.

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to AgedCrone

Your are so right... positive thinking gets positive results. As usual most we seem to only share bad outcomes and when we are happy the we dont feel the to say anything. And is is scarey when you don't know if your making the correct descisions.

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to jomojo

Need to say*

in reply to AgedCrone

I’m on mtx now one and a half years. No problems Also take Plaquenil which is also fine

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply to

Glad Mtx is helping you.....even though it has been around for a very long time ....if it suits you it truly is a wonder drug.

HappykindaGal profile image
HappykindaGal

I'm on Methotrexate and totally fine. Occasionally I feel slightly nauseous the next day and ginger tea soon sorts it out. You will be fine and will have a great weekend!

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply to HappykindaGal

Long may it continue Wendy. I took it for 7 years & apart from a slight metallic taste in my mouth occasionally it took away all my symptoms......I still couldn't play tennis, but could do most other things I wanted to do.

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to HappykindaGal

I love ginger tea si thats good to know and try if I feel iffy. Thank you.

Louis- profile image
Louis-

I am on both and so far so good really helps mtx can make me a little tired but nothing bad you should be ok . Hope you have a fab weekend x

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to Louis-

Thank you I'm sure Ill be okay just wondered if it was advisable , I dont want to spoil the weekend by feeling rough, such fabulous weather too. Can't wait I lovr Wales.

AgedCrone profile image
AgedCrone in reply to jomojo

Take the pills on Sunday night then.....after your weekend....they are your pills....take them when you want....nothing is written in stone!

Jarme profile image
Jarme

jomojo,

I’ve taken Methotrexate and Hydroxychlorquine for 5 years and haven’t had any problems at all! With the Hydroxychlorquine I have my eyes tested every year! These two medications have worked very well for me! Good lick to you!!

in reply to Jarme

Same here

Jarme profile image
Jarme

*luck

BoneyC profile image
BoneyC

I've taken MTX, orally but now injectable for nearly 40 years and was one of the first to try it for RA ..... its the best drug I've ever had and I've tried quite a few.

Also, to allay fears, I was dx age 6 in 1971, 47 years ago, recently I had my abdomen scanned (liver, pancreas, gall bladder, billiary tree, kidneys etc.) and all are normal - fantastic after 47 years of constant drug taking! Whoopee!

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to BoneyC

That is comforting to know. So glad you have found something and you are happy with it. 😀

wishbone profile image
wishbone

I see you have a photo of a male Merlin as your avatar, any particular reason?

Back in the good old days way before RA put an end to my birdwatching ventures, I used to see Merlins up in the hills where I live. Fantastic little falcons and probably my favourite UK bird of prey. Unfortunately there was a significant decline in the number of sightings during the last few years of my birdwatching days and I don't think things have improved any to this day. :-(

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to wishbone

Hi wishbone. I do appreciate the beauty of birds of prey and I have a love of all birds and nature too. The avatars is just one I picked at random.

Alas, it sounds as though RA has stolen so much from so many.

Unfortunately there are not many hills nearby where I live but I do enjoy the Scottish and Welsh countryside. Only recently and thankfully enjoyed the lake district without heavy wintery rain. Bowness and surrounding areas is stunning. What a beautiful place the UK is. I hope your doing well.

cillfred profile image
cillfred

I have been on methotrexate for over 15 years. Started hydroxycloriquin February of this year. I have done well with both. Methotrexate is a great drug! I hope you have the success that I have had. I also take cellcept as well. I have had RA for 20 years and lupus since 2016. I became vegan oct 2017 and walk every morning before work. I am hoping to one day only have to take an occasional Aleve😊

jomojo profile image
jomojo in reply to cillfred

I hope you do too cillfred. I love walking too and your upbeat attitude comes through in your message. I am feeling less apprehensive and so glad I joined this healthunlocked.X I am and my rheumatologist are still not clear on what my conditions are but greatfull that there are treatments out there to help my symptoms. Thanks.

Amy_Lee profile image
Amy_Lee

Hi Jomojo,

I am on methotrexate since day one when I was diagnosed in Jun 2014, slowly Arava was added to speed up my recovery process. I am fine until today. My rheumy told me that mtx is one of the most effective DMARDs for RA treatment.

As much as I like to be very positive but I would like to say that I did get side effects until the dosage was reduced to 7.5 mg per week, that was about a year ago. However, the small side effects as compare to the benefits it gave me were just nothing. I was declared in remission after about 1 1/2 years treatment. Again not everyone react the same way, you may be fine with mtx.

One thing I like to highlight is eat something first, then take mtx, then continue to finish the balance of the food. I find this way helps me to reduce the uncomfortable feeling of mtx. I took it before I went to sleep at the very early stage, but it disturb my sleep. Then slowly I took it during the day and slowly I managed to adapt to the side effects.

I am in good condition right now and I hope you can be back to your normal condition very soon too.

Amy

jomojo profile image
jomojo

Thank you Amy. Great to here your condition is good and long may that last.

All I can do is try them and hope Im a lucky one. Im on 15mg and 400g hydroxycloriquin but thinking of starting Friday rather than sunday before work. Fingers crossed then. Thanks for food advice too.

summer32 profile image
summer32

Yes with food used to take mine Fri lunchtime because of working, I was OK on lower dose of it too only had problems when they raised the dose

Must re empathise most people take this drug and are OK x

jomojo profile image
jomojo

Hi summer32

I'll be on 15mg so 6 tabs. Hopefully I won't notice anything untoward. I have started to take hydroxycloriquin yesterday, thinking better than taking both all in one go. I dont know if it is that but I have like a sunburn sensation in my lips and eye lids ? I aim to take the methotrexate tonight so hopefully if there are any side effects they hit in the night?

I am considering putting it off until Sunday as well?

I never have been good at making descisions. 🙈

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