Managing Methotrexate Toxicity

[Simba1992]

The side effects of Mtx have often been a big worry on the forum. There are also misconceptions about this med. This article may be of help in understanding and managing the effects of Mtx.

rheumnow.com/content/dsb-ma...

[StormySeas]

Thanks, that's a good clear article that's very easy to understand and is not scary.

[helixhelix]

Interesting article, thanks. Also fascinating that the cochrane study on folic acid was so equivocal especially as uppimg doses didn't work for me for my ulcers. It was only changing routes that did it.

And the point about Robitussin and the Blahs was equally fascinating - although if I downed 20g of Robitissun I'd be flat out anyway!

[Hidden]

That’s a really good article. Interesting that the Blahs were highlighted, I get the impression that quite a few (incl. me) have issues with the cognitive effects, but it’s not necessarily regarded as being terribly important by rheumies. The Vit. A supplementation kind of bothers me, as too much of that can cause serious issues.

Thank you for that, cheers Deb

[Simba1992 in reply to Hidden]

If you scroll down you'll find a question and answer on this.😊Simba

[Nanna71]

What there seems to be, on this forum, that puts possible 'misconceptions' in the shadows and brings out a huge truth about autoimmune disease is this - the disease is so diverse, and each sufferer's experience with medication is so different that this is what I can count on. I don't personally take what's going on in a lab with mice as gospel for RA folks.

There is no one-size-fits all.

There is no absolutely sure diagnosis for RA yet and specialists admit that MTX works and aren't sure why exactly. My RA was triggered by 3 years of continuous stress - mental, physical, and emotional. Before this I was very healthy.

Great that research is being done to try and help. Pain, the hallmark of RA for me, looks like it will never go away and the tools my doctor is using are helping a little. Same tools as everyone else. When I have a flare up it is from some undue stressful situation and some stress you just can't stop from happening.

Hope this personal info adds to someone else's journey through the wilderness of RA.

[Simba1992 in reply to Nanna71]

Very true, the way RA makes us suffer is very individual and the way meds affect us is very individual as well. There is no treatment that fits all, no doubt about it. The treatment practices and the knowledge about meds and their effects are however constantly changing. The knowledge and experience of specialists working with finding new solutions and ways to protect our bodies from ill effects of the meds are in my opinion very valuable. Articles like these may in my view add to our knowledge about meds and perhaps give us thoughts to discus with our doctors. All the best. Simba

[Nanna71 in reply to Simba1992]

Absolutely