what is this drug? i call it a low does chemo is that right?
methotrexate : what is this drug? i call it a low does... - NRAS
methotrexate
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chacha700
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Yes, people who need to take it for cancer treatment take much more than us...often 10 times more! So 250mg a week rather than 25mg (but they only take it for very short periods).
My friend ancology pharmacist said its rarely used these days as newer medications are available and its over 1000 x dose in some cases. He said should be renamed to stop people worrying so much. I think that is so true.
Agree, just the word chemotherapy is scary when other drugs which sound perfectly normal can be just as hard to deal with. Like you and omeprazole! (In discussion with my doc I have just swapped to ranitidine for a while to give my kidneys a bit of a holiday....
I have a friend who was treated successfully with MTX for a stomach cancer - high dose once a day for a week every month - just a couple of years ago. It worked. But yes there are newer treatments.
I’m on biologics too 😢 the problem is ours are for life. However long that is
Good news is that these days it seems there’s no difference in mortality between us and other people. So we get to live pretty much the same amount of time as we have done without RA.
Glad to know this as Im up to 15ml a week shots.
If you go on to the RA Facebook page, you'd think you've about 2 weeks to live. I've just come off it as the negativity is dreadful. I think part of it is caused by the endless tv ads for drugs in the USA. It makes people paranoid and worry about every tiny thing.
I avoid facebook as generally find it full of rubbish and misinformation... If that sort of thing interests you look up Carole Cadwaller’s TED talk of a couple of weeks ago.
I avoid Facebook like the plague!
I just read that RA can shorten a person's lifespan 10 to 15 years.........2019 study. However, the longer you have this horrible disease the more unfortunate you become to time here on earth. Their is a comorbity aspect to the lifespan also............
2019 study based on what population? What I’ve read is that comparisons of longitudinal studies that use people diagnosed pre-2000, and those diagnosed after 2005 show that reduction of average lifespan has gone in the later population. So many of the comorbidities have been shown to relate to poorly controlled inflammation, so it’s logical that better treatments are helping lifespan.
That is what I am banking on! -and healthier lifestyles!
Ratinitide works for me now too, just want to get of the steriods and loose the weight gain. Even had to buy bigger shoes so no heeled ones at the moment. I love shoes......
Is there an issue with omeprazole and kidneys?
All drugs have potential risks so don’t get unduly alarmed. It seems that for older people who have been using PPIs for a long time it can increase the risk of kidney problems. I fall into that category and my kidney function blood tests are only just squeaking into “normal”. So in discussion with GP we are swapping for a while.
Thank you
I tried ranitidine instead like you but it didnt help so back on lanoprozole. It does concern me, but I need something. I read one of the problems is it can be bought over the counter in USA so too much was contributing to problems. Hope it works for you.
my liver function is a bit high, I just get so emotional and no one understands! nothing wrong with my kidneys hope your rest is successful x
My gastroenterologist told me he prescribes it for Chrons disease. Breast doctor said it is used for breast cancer.
Yup, I am on it and it sucks, at least for me. I live in the states and whenever my husband buys my meds the pharmacist can't give them to him until he reads a script telling him how I need to take them due to the deaths that have occurred here when people take them improperly.
That's interesting- I've just written a reply above, before reading yours. It does seem that in the US the drug ads fuel a bit of hysteria. I'm grateful we don't have the ads here in the UK.
Humph, no ads here for MTX that I know of. I didn't even know the drug existed until I found out I had vasculitis recently. In all my years of taking meds, from thyroid pills and antibiotics, MTX is the only one with a script, so I really don't know what the primary cause if for the script. Just hazarding a guess.
Are you in Canada by any chance?
Nah, good ole Atlanta GA, health care is abysmal here. Thankfully, hubby has decent insurance through his company, but you still kinda have to leap through mega hoops to get proper care, especially for AI related ailments.
Then perhaps there has been a recent case in Atlanta, and pharmacists have been told to increase surveillance.
Not sure--just find it odd.
I meant in general for meds. Listing every known side effect on TV ads is probably not helpful.
Well I view methotrexate as my best friend, it’s given me my life back. Sure if people are stupid then accidents happens, but you can die from using Tylenol/paracetamol improperly too.
I am very glad it works so well for you. Thus far I have had horrid FX from it personally, and that's essentially scared into taking as directed. I get to see my Rheumy on the 23rd, to see if I can explore another option. Unfortunately, I can't do the biologic due to genetic concerns.
I'm sorry to hear MTX is giving you trouble. I've been on it for over two years and, for me, it did get easier after a while.
Thank you. Yeah, at this juncture, I feel god awful a few days after the dose and can barely function. Hubby has arranged with his job to be with me on those days cause I can't even get out autistic on off the bus... In public, I cannot walk unassisted without his support, so on those days, I stay in. I can not drive. When he cannot be with me my sister or niece sits in... but how log can we go with that? I do hope it gets better.
That sounds miserable for you and I do hope you can find a way forward. Hugs
Thanks my friend *hugs back atcha :-)*. It's a one step at a time thing I suppose... and at least I finally found out what was wrong. I am sure most of us can relate to how much better that feels even when the medicine is awful, like we are heading in the right direction and things will balance soon...
Good luck. Hope you get the right medication for you soon
That is very much appreciated---fingers crossed *hugs*
I hear what you are saing about the MTX hangover........mine usually lasts for 2-3 days after injection.....horrible side effect. Have you tried folic acid and humabid d.m.?
I have prescription folic acid, yep...
good luck x
Thank you so much *hugs*
That is how I feel about MTX. I could not get out of bed the pain was so bad. I took 7 pills and the next day (within 24 hours) I was up and feeling almost normal. However, now that I have been on it for months, I now don't feel that great the day that I take the pills and the next day. Brain fog and achy. Has that ever happened to you?
That is exactly what it is. My research shows that it was a chemo drug given to cancer patients and has been around for over 40 years. Since PsA is an auto immune disease, it acts on slowing down your immune response to the inflammation that causes the swelling in your joints. But it can have other side effects too. The biggest is lowering your immune system so you can get sick easier. Diet and rest and reducing stress would be important in the long run.
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